A sportsman in his twenties who grew up in Newton Ferrers has returned to the city to re-open the newly refurbished dry ski slope at Marsh Mills.
Josh Hudson who has gone on to become a member of the Team GB Olympic bobsleigh team carried out the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Plymouth Snowsports Centre. It was especially apt that Josh was chosen for the task as not only was he raised in Plymouth but in his younger days he often used the original dry ski slope so is no stranger to the snowsports centre.
The refurbished ski slope represents a £500,000 investment at the Plymouth Snowsports Centre which is part of the John Nike Leisuresport collection. The investment ensures that Plymouth maintains its standing as one of the UK’s most popular destinations for snow sport activities and will be able to provide year round access for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
Gillian Robinson, centre manager, said:
“Following this substantial investment in modernising our slope, we are delighted to announce the unveiling of the new Skitech Diamond Matting surface to the public.
“This new surface not only ensures we can continue to provide customers old and new with the highest quality ski slope experiences available, but also allows us to expand our offering to provide a cutting-edge facility for lessons, training and events with several race events already planned for this winter.”
The new surface is said to be as near as it can get to simulating a real snow experience with artificial material.
Daniel Lawrence, group operations director, remarked:
“We are delighted to continue our investment in the product and people in Plymouth. Over the past few years, we started our reinvestment programme starting in Chatham, Llandudno and prior to Plymouth we had completed Swadlincote, now a fantastic race surface in the Midlands. They all have new surfaces using the Skitech Diamond Mats.
“Feedback has been overwhelming from the skiers and customers of all centres about all the investments. We are looking forward to Plymouth and the surrounding areas, to now take advantage of these great facilities that the centre has to offer; with the toboggan, snow tubes and the new surface for skiing or learning to ski.”
One of the guests at the re-opening ceremony was Tom McKenzie, the centre’s original owner, who pioneered the idea of bringing the ski slope to Plymouth at the end of the 1980s.
As a result of his efforts construction work got underway in 1988 and the centre opened at Easter 1989 with large queues on the launch weekend and celebrity visits from boxer Barry McGuigan and olympic ski-jumper Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards.
Situated above the Plym Valley near the A38, Plymouth Snowsports Centre is open year round and offers skiers and snowboarders of all levels the facilities to practice and learn new skills either independently or with qualified instructors. The centre also offers sno-tube ride experiences and an exhilarating 650-metre toboggan ride as well as event spaces suitable for meetings, conferences, weddings and parties with bar and restaurant facilities.
A video of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new ski slope and audio interviews with Josh Hudson, Gillian Robinson and Tom McKenzie can be found on the videos section of the Plympton Podcast Facebook page at www.facebook.com/plymptonpodcast/videos
(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
