Aviemore resort announces swim deal for locals as backlash continues

Macdonald Resorts have just gone public with their plans to replace the High Life Highland scheme at their Aviemore resort with their own swimming membership discounts for locals.

The plans to end heavily discounted priced swimming in the centre of Aviemore, provided as part of the Highland Council scheme, has prompted a backlash from angry pool users.

The resort confirmed today that despite a well-supported campaign for a U-turn by locals - with a website and petition with more than 600 names already - they still intend to withdraw from the popular programme at the end of this March.

They have now announced that they will be providing family memberships for £28 per month for a family of four in its place.

The current family membership for High Life Highland is £23.60 per month, while the cost is £16.80 per month for an individual.

The current entrance charge for those not with a High Life card wanting to use the Aviemore resort’s pool is £10.50 per adult and £5.50 per child per visit.

A Macdonald Hotels and Resorts spokesman said: "As previously reported Macdonald Resorts’ partnership with Highland Council to support its High Life scheme concludes in March 2012.

"This was confirmed to Highland Council in September 2011.

"In our earlier announcement it was advised that memberships of the leisure facility would continue to be made available to the local community at competitive rates.

"While the final details of these arrangements are yet to be confirmed the management of the resort wish to highlight that one element of the new community membership category will be a family swim only pass.

"The entry level for this to cover a family of two adults and two children will be £28 per month - less than 25p per person per day - and will be available to local residents.

"This represents a very small increase on the subsidised High Life scheme currently in place that enables access to the leisure facilities.

"Further details will be made available through the leisure club in due course.

"It is hoped that many families will continue to utilise the excellent facilities that will be on offer at this discounted rate."

For the past three years, the resort has received £85,000 per year in public money in return for allowing High Life Highland members access to their leisure pool and other poolside facilities, including a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi.

There was also an arrangement in place for the three previous years with the resort receving £100,000 to allow discounted swimming for High Life Highland card holders

High Life Highland are in talks with another local provider to provide public swimming as part of the scheme for the Aviemore area although the operator is not in the centre of the village.

FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MACDONALD HOTELS AND RESORTS’ BOSS DONALD MACDONALD ON THE ROW AND LOCAL REACTION TO THE RESORT’S PROPOSALS SEE THE NEXT STRATHY OUT ON WEDNESDAY.

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