Ski village revamp plans progress, says developer
BBCPlans to redevelop the former Sheffield Ski Village site have moved forward as a New Zealand adventure tourism firm has agreed a deal with Sheffield City Council.
Skyline Enterprises' vision for Parkwood Springs includes a luge ride, a family playground and long-term plans for a zipline and surf wave experience.
The project is part of the council's investment in the country park, funded by a £19.4m Levelling Up government grant.
"Our adventure and experience brand aligns perfectly with Sheffield's renowned 'Outdoor City' ethos," said Geoff McDonald, CEO of Skyline Enterprises.
The plan for the redevelopment of Parkwood Springs has been in the works since 2016.
£12m has already been allocated by Sheffield City Council to improve nearby junctions and build a new road connecting Oakham Drive with Vale Road to accommodate increased traffic once the attraction opens.
"We know that Parkwood Springs has been a challenging site to bring forward over the years, but with strong support from Sheffield City Council and an experienced project team on board, the pieces are now in place to deliver something truly special for the city," McDonald added.
Several plans have been considered to redevelop the former dry slope centre.
Sheffield Ski Village opened in 1998 and provided a training base for some of Britain's most successful Winter Olympians.
It has been permanently closed since 2012, after it was destroyed by a fire.
Since its closure, several groups have campaigned to see ski slopes return to the site in Neepsend, including Revive Sheffield Ski Village, who premiered a film at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival in 2024.
In 2017, the council announced leisure company Extreme would redevelop the site into an outdoor centre, but the plan never materialised.
In 2022 Sheffield City Council began discussions with the current developer Skyline.
A public consultation is expected in September to give local businesses and residents a chance to give feedback on the plans before a planning application is submitted later in the year.
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