Macdonald Aviemore Resort seeking clarity over future of Highlife scheme
Management at Macdonald Aviemore Resort are seeking clarity from Highland Council regarding the local authority’s plans for the local Highlife scheme.
Discussions have been taking place for several months between Iain Miller, managing director of Macdonald Aviemore Resort and Brian Porter, the council’s head of resources, care and learning services regarding the re-opening of Aviemore Resort facilities for local Highlife members.
Gordon Fraser, chair of Macdonald Hotels, said: “Whilst discussions were positive, we understand that the first scheduled committee meeting to consider our proposal isn’t until the middle of September, so we – and local Highlife users - will have to be patient to see what progress will be made.
“We are keenly aware of our position as the largest private sector employer and a major driver of the local economy, but we also greatly value the relationships we have with local people and many other local businesses.
“We recognise how keen local Highlife members are to return to using the excellent leisure facilities and have been encouraged to read the positive comments by local councillor Russell Jones to The Strathy this week. "
The company, Mr Fraser continued, shared the goal of reaching a fair and sustainable agreement with the council to enable it to welcome back the many Highlife members who enjoyed using Aviemore Resort’s pool and other facilities.
“Given that, we were surprised to see an interview with Bill Lobban, convenor of Highland Council, stating that the council should build its own pool, especially as this would cost millions of pounds in capital payments at a time when local authority budgets are under severe pressure, coping with the ongoing impacts of Covid.
“In addition, we estimate running costs for any new facility locally could be in excess of £1m a year.
“As everyone knows, rising inflation is a really major economic factor and the costs of running leisure facilities is increasing significantly, given rapidly rising energy and wage costs.
“It’s therefore unsurprising that at the Aviemore leisure facilities, our costs have risen by 32% since we last reached an annual agreement with the council in 2018."
Mr Fraser added that the reality of such an increase would clearly require to be reflected in any new contract on Highlife between ourselves and the council.
“We have been very proud to support the local community under the long-running agreement with Highland Council, which has delivered a wide range of benefits for local people, but we are keen to ascertain all the facts from the council in order that we are able to make an informed decision on the best way forward.”
