Proposals put forward by the Aviemore Sports Centre Company include an ice arena, enabling the return of ice skating, ice hockey and curling to the village after a 10-year absence.
Aviemore’s ice rink closed in 1999, and while many residents have called for a new rink to be built, their campaigns over the years have failed.
Aviemore’s ice rink closed in 1999, and while many residents have called for a new rink to be built, their campaigns over the years have failed.
It is hoped the new plans will provide all-year-round facilities for a generation of young sports fans and cater for skiers forced off the mountains by bad weather.
Building work could start on the new proposals next year, and will also include a multi-sports hall, four indoor tennis courts, changing facilities and a bar and restaurant.
Building work could start on the new proposals next year, and will also include a multi-sports hall, four indoor tennis courts, changing facilities and a bar and restaurant.
Project chairwoman Yvonne Birnie said: “There are no indoor facilities in Aviemore. Living in the Highlands means that when the weather is bad there is little to do. The indoor climbing wall is excellent but there is little else.
“So many tourists come here in winter but when the ski-ing is stormed off they are always looking for the ice rink.”
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“So many tourists come here in winter but when the ski-ing is stormed off they are always looking for the ice rink.”
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he added: “At the tennis club we have 70 juniors who train on Mondays but we can’t guarantee it because of the weather. There are lots of complaints about the Lawn Tennis Association that there are not many players coming through, but we are struggling because there are not the facilities to practise.”
A feasibility study has been done and the project directors hope to make a decision on their preferred site in the next few weeks.
Three sites have been mooted and the company has had talks with each of the landowners about their plans.
A feasibility study has been done and the project directors hope to make a decision on their preferred site in the next few weeks.
Three sites have been mooted and the company has had talks with each of the landowners about their plans.
They are a site at Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort, a site on the edge of Rothiemurchus Estate’s planned new village at An Camus Mor, and a site owned by Seafield Estates, beside Aviemore’s call centre.
The group was formed after a public meeting in November 2007, when a wish-list of sports facilities was drawn up.
Suggestions that a swimming pool be included were rejected because the Macdonald Aviemore
Suggestions that a swimming pool be included were rejected because the Macdonald Aviemore
Highland Resort’s pool now comes under the Highland Council’s discount leisure scheme.
A bobsleigh push start facility was also rejected because a similar development was planned in England and it was felt that the UK required only one such facility.
It is hoped funding can be sought from sports organisations, including the Lawn Tennis Association, and residents will also be required to raise funds towards the building.
A bobsleigh push start facility was also rejected because a similar development was planned in England and it was felt that the UK required only one such facility.
It is hoped funding can be sought from sports organisations, including the Lawn Tennis Association, and residents will also be required to raise funds towards the building.
The company will meet representatives of the Cairngorms National Park Authority and local Highland councillors to discuss the proposals before a decision on a site is made.
Aviemore Community Council chairman John Grierson said: “Getting an ice rink back in Aviemore is something we are in favour of. But we are waiting to see the outcome of the feasibility study before we make further comment.”
Aviemore Community Council chairman John Grierson said: “Getting an ice rink back in Aviemore is something we are in favour of. But we are waiting to see the outcome of the feasibility study before we make further comment.”
