SNOWFACTOR BRAEHEAD - permanent closure
For the last 11 months we have all learnt to live without access to Snowfactor, since its closure in November 2022. The impact has probably hit hardest for the local community in and around Braehead, who consider Snowfactor to be their local snowsports scene and centre. For these people their way of life has changed.
Right across the Scottish snowsports spectrum however we have seen a measurable impact from its closure, specifically noting:-
1. A 70% drop in Disability Snowsports UK activity in Scotland, with the loss of their indoor sessions.
2. A 24% drop in Scottish Schools Snowsports Association events.
3. An 8% drop in schools learn-to-ski programmes across Scotland.
4. An estimated 13% decrease in Park and Pipe training, courses and events.
5. An estimated 11% decrease in Alpine coaching and competition activity across the country.
Over the last 10 months, Snowsport Scotland (SSS) has been in regular communication with the management team and Board of the Braehead Leisure Partnership (BLP). Fundamentally we had been seeking a means to re-gain access to the facility for ski lessons, coaching and competitions whilst news of a potential new operator was awaited. Despite a number of requests and escalating the matter to sportscotland and Scottish Government for support, it was ultimately made clear that access could not be granted due to BLP’s concerns over health and safety in the facility, that had arisen as a result of the former operator leaving it in such a poor state of repair.
On the morning of Tuesday 3rd October, we were very saddened to receive a phone call from Matt Beddow, Director at BLP, confirming that after a lengthy and challenging review of the facility they had now taken the decision to shut it down for good. Whilst it was known that the Board of BLP were initiating a thorough review, it was not clear until Tuesday’s discussions that the combination of significant refurbishment costs and future increased operational costs, rendered the business model unviable moving forwards. The full detail of their decision is best explained within their official statement.
The news of permanent closure is a significant blow to us all in snowsports, and whilst we cannot undo what is done, we are actively seeking ways to fill the gaps that have arisen from the loss of Snowfactor. Specifically we have now planned for our indoor championship events to run at indoor centres based in England, DSUK have increased staff capacity at the dryslopes to accommodate more adaptive lessons and are working with venues to increase accessibility. The Scottish Schools Snowsports Association is now scheduling many more events on dry mat surfaces, and we are currently looking to schedule more instructor and coach qualification courses at mountains and on the dry mats. It is all good progress, and whilst we cannot change the circumstances that we find ourselves in, as your Scottish Governing Body for Snowsports we will continue to strive to work with you, our community, clubs and facilities to find alternative means to deliver the lost opportunities in other environments.
Iain Ramsay-Clapham
Interim CEO
If any of you would like to talk with us at Snowsport Scotland regarding the matter, please contact us on email info@snowsportscotand.org
