Ski centre's slide into ruin set to be halted with expansion plan

Britain's biggest dry ski slope is set to be saved from closure under a rescue package which would see green belt land sold off to help a cash-strapped council keep it running.

New alpine-style holiday villages and adventure sports facilities are proposed to be created next to the existing ski centre at Hillend, in Midlothian, to help save it from closure.

SportScotland is also offering to invest up to 600,000 in new facilities at the existing site, as long as it remains in public hands.

However, Midlothian Council has warned it will still have to increase charges for use of the centre and cut the number of jobs there as it tries to drive down the 500,000 average annual cost of keeping Hillend open.

Council officials have effectively ruled out closing down the centre or putting it up for sale, on the grounds that the former move would cost an estimated 1.2 million, while the latter would rule out any backing from SportScotland.

A report to be considered by councillors next week states that Hillend is "nationally recognised as an iconic educational and recreational facility and is unique as it has the longest dry ski slope in Britain".

The council warned earlier this year that the centre, which opened in 1965, was facing closure because of the need for the authority to save some 25m over the next four years. It has drawn a blank in efforts to find a private buyer for the complex.

The news triggered a huge protest campaign and demands for the centre, which has been running by the council since local government reorganisation in 1996, to receive national recognition as a major sports facility. Twenty-nine Olympians - including Finlay Mickel and Alain Baxter - have used its slopes to hone their skills.

SportScotland's proposed investment would allow the centre to expand its facilities for young skiers and snowboarders, including the installation of a "travelator" lift to allow children as young as four to learn at Hillend, while work is under way to explore the viability of a full-scale toboggan run.

The council has revealed it has received a number of proposals about buying parts of its land-holding at Hillend for new holiday accommodation, as well as to allow new sports facilities to be created.

Donald Mackay, the council's director of education and children's services, who is responsible for the centre, said: "The snow sports facility would be protected and the developments could actually increase usage and enhance the overall performance of the site. Proposals such as holiday accommodation and adventure park-type facilities would fall into this category.

"The council's position is that it should not have to continue to solely foot the bill for what is to all intents and purposes a national facility."