USE: IMMEDIATE                             ISSUED: Wednesday 11^th May, 2005

The Highland Council has entered into a unique agreement with Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort to provide public swimming for the people of Badenoch and Strathspey at the resort’s Highland Leisure Arena.

Those resident in the local area can apply for a free, special membership of the Council’s High Life leisure card scheme, which in turn will allow them access to the £80m resort’s 25m pool at a discounted price.

On production of the leisure card, the cost of swimming which includes wave machine, toddler’s area and giant flume will be £4 per adult, £2 per child and under 5s go free. Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The pool is open daily from 8am to 10pm.

The new High Life arrangement for Badenoch and Strathspey residents will be on a pay-as-you-go basis but anyone wishing to have unlimited access to the rest of the participating High Life centres throughout the Highlands can do so by subscribing to the ‘budget’ or ‘all-inclusive’ membership.

Applications forms for the High Life card in Badenoch and Strathspey can be obtained from  Aviemore and Grantown Service Points and at the Badenoch Centre in Kingussie. 

Councillor Angus Gordon, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee said: "This is great news for people in Badenoch and Strathspey. I am delighted that The Highland Council and Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort have entered into this agreement which will provide much needed public swimming in an area that currently has few opportunities. Meanwhile, the Council are continuing to work on Grantown Grammar's pool to bring it up to standard for public swimming."

Sean Sullivan, Managing Director for Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort, said: "As part of the local community, it gives us great pleasure to open up this superb swimming pool to the people of Badenoch and Strathspey. It is a high quality amenity and I hope that many families will enjoy using it."

Existing all-inclusive High Life members in the Highlands who currently have access to any of the Highland Council’s swimming pools and leisure centres and Inverness Leisure Swimming Pool will also have access to this discounted swimming opportunity in Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort.

Access through all High Life memberships to the swimming pool arena does not include the gym facilities.

The Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort has been the focus of an £80m redevelopment by a consortium led by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts and including Bank of Scotland and Tulloch Construction Group. The redevelopment has seen the opening of a new leisure centre and spa, state-of-the-art conference and exhibition centre, the refurbishment of The Macdonald Highlands Hotel and The Academy Hotel, as well as the launch of new, luxury three bedroom woodland lodges nestled within the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest.

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Date Last updated : 11/05/05