A POPULAR Braehead leisure facility is closing permanently on "financial and safety grounds".
Braehead Leisure Partnership has taken the decision to close the indoor ski slope at XSite Braehead for good following a number of investigations into its viability.
We previously reported that the winter sports site Snow Factor had closed within the centre "until further notice" amid legal proceedings after the former operator entered liquidation.
Tests have since concluded that the ski slope has been deemed unviable and all of the snow and ice must be removed as soon as possible.
Concerns were raised about the exceptionally high energy consumption required to maintain the snow within the ski slope.
The energy consumed (on average 5900 kwh per day) is equivalent to the electricity that 800 two-bedroom houses will consume in a day (based on Ofgem data), and the cost of this has increased by 500% since 2021.
The longer-term environmental impacts of the slope requiring this much energy were also considered.
Maintaining the temperature of the ski slope uses the same energy as over 6000 fridge freezers per day and produces over 500 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
Given the age and poor condition of the ski slope as well as the money needed to put it into shape, it has been rendered unviable.
Work will begin in late autumn to remove the ski slope and it is expected to take around three months.
The rest of XSite will remain open throughout the process and trading will be unaffected.
Matt Beddow, representing XSite Braehead said: “It has been a very difficult decision to make and the Braehead Leisure Partnership has concluded that the poor condition and age of the facility, combined with the dramatically increased running costs of this 17-year-old installation, make it unviable for us to support the slope as a commercial operation going forward.
"Moreover, the underlying environmental impact of keeping eight million litres of snow and ice - equivalent to three Olympic-sized swimming pools - at low temperatures is a significant sustainability concern for us all.
“We must now focus on the future. We are working on options to reopen this amazing space as a new and thrilling attraction with a broad appeal.
"In the meantime, we continue to attract loyal visitors from across the region and the site has enjoyed a record summer of footfall, with blockbuster movie releases and a host of family-friendly free events contributing to one of its busiest-ever summers.
"I look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks and of course, we will keep XSite’s visitors, and the local community fully updated on this journey."
Other entertainment facilities that remain open at XSite Braehead include an Odeon cinema, Tenpin bowling, Climbzone, Gravity Active, Paradise Island Adventure Golf and Laser Tag, along with shopping and a range of food and drink options.
