COUNCIL chiefs believe the national and regional profile of St Helens will receive a major boost by the £10 million Snowdome to be constructed at Haydock.

The scheme is also expected to bring significant spin-off benefits for other tourist facilities in the borough, including the planned 'World of Glass' visitor centre.

It is expected to become a regional attraction drawing on a catchment area within at least one-hour's drive time distance, taking in major conurbation areas.

In turn, it is hoped that raising the borough's profile in this way could also be a positive attraction to new inward economic investment.

On its own, the project has the potential to generate up to 350 new jobs in total, 150 of these being linked to the Snowdome itself.

The development, by First Leisure Corporation plc, will be one of only three such developments in the UK, while only Australia and Hong Kong have comparable facilities. Where possible, the company will seek to use local contractors to carry out the work.

The Snowdome will give skiers of all abilities and fitness levels the opportunity to ski on real snow throughout the year - whatever the temperature outside. It will be divided into two with the 'cold' area comprising the 175-metre long and 21-metre wide real-snow ski slope and separate nursery slope. Travelators will carry skiers to the top of the slopes.

The 'warm' area will contain a ski shop, changing areas, reception and workshop facilites on the ground floor and licensed bar and staff facilities at first-floor level.

The Snowdome site will be self-contained in terms of parking and servicing, being accessed off an internal roundabout about 50 metres into the site and containing 212 car parking spaces. Facilities will be provided for the disabled to use the centre. First Leisure have given priority to environmental consideration.

Council leader Mike Doyle said: "This impressive project will significantly promote the image of this borough nationally and regionally and represents a major attraction in terms of additional inward investment. The Snowdome will be of significant economic benefit to the local community and as such, is to be welcomed."

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