Slippery slope

The issue of the Midlothian Snowsports Centre, formerly Hillend Ski Centre (Letters, 13 February), seems to be about who foots the bill for the £500,000 cost of operating the facility.

Surely before addressing that question there are even more fundamental ones that should be addressed such as "what is it?" and "what is its purpose?"

When Boyd Anderson financed the first patch of ski matting it was with the stated aim of introducing the young people of Edinburgh to the enjoyment and benefits of skiing. In other words, it was about participation and learning.

However, by the time responsibility for the facility was handed over to Midlothian Council in 1996, that objective had somehow evolved into a claim to be the principal competition training facility in the UK.

Most of the development and strategic thinking was aimed in this competitive direction, as exemplified by the most recent additions to the buildings on site. The upper floor of the "new" building, which is now a caf, was originally designed to be the race office.

Of course there is nothing wrong in a facility being scheduled as a centre of excellence for competitive performance in any particular sport, but by what process did this apply to Hillend? Was there any kind of public debate or did this simply evolve through the natural inclination and preference of the staff running the facility? Is such a centre of excellence justified in this sport and, if so, should Hillend be that centre?

If it is to be a Nnational centre for high performance then surely the funding should reflect that national status? Aren't the council tax payers of Midlothian perfectly entitled to ask why they are expected to foot the bill for what claims to be a national facility?

PHIL JUDD

Cardiff