Sheffield ski village to be transformed into £22.5m 'world-class' extreme sports destination

A preferred developer has now been tasked with the return of Sheffield ski village and the surrounding area to the city as part of a sports, leisure and entertainment scheme.

Sheffield Council has appointed the EXTREME Destinations-led consortium to deliver a 48-acre, sustainable EXTREME branded sports, leisure and entertainment solution at Parkwood.

An initial 100 new full-time jobs are expected to be created from the £22.5m development, which will see the re-instatement of Sheffield’s ski slopes and MTB tracks in phase one of the project.

The agreement between Sheffield City Council and EXTREME Destinations, in partnership with UK facilities operator Continuum Attractions, will see the development, provision and operation of a sports and leisure ‘experience’ complex with modern facilities for residents, tourists and action sports enthusiasts.

EXTREME plans to incorporate a combination of action and adventure sports facilities, including the possibility of an indoor skydiving facility, live music, E-Gaming and virtual-reality hub as well as a restaurants, bars, social spaces, retail and themed accommodation.

EXTREME’s aim is to start work on a new and improved ski village to open in 2019 before concentrating on its plans to develop residential and leisure facilities around and on the site, subject to planning permission.

Established in 1995, EXTREME is a global sports and lifestyle brand. The brand launched the Extreme Sports TV channel in 68 countries and now offers marketing services and branded global sports and leisure property development.

Continuum Attractions’ role in the consortium group will be focused on planning and then operating the facilities developed under the EXTREME brand.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and investment at Sheffield City Council, said: “Bringing Sheffield ski village and the surrounding area back into use as part of a truly global package of sports facilities, hotels and other leisure pursuits is a fantastic outcome for the team at Sheffield Council that has worked to secure a preferred developer with EXTREME’s experience in delivering leisure based schemed for many years.

“There’s still plenty of work to do but by appointing our preferred developer we are one step closer to bringing the much loved ski village back into use.

“This news will come as an early Christmas present to the thousands of winter sports enthusiasts who trained on the slopes at the ski village, many of whom who are associated with EXTREME as ambassadors for its sporting ambitions.”

Alistair Gosling, CEO of EXTREME, commented: “This is a fantastic and unique opportunity to deliver an EXTREME Destination right in the heart of Sheffield and bring the much-missed ski facility bang up to date.

“We will be tapping into the world-wide phenomena of creating total active leisure destinations, where all the excitement of sport and leisure facilities come together – sports activities, accommodation, eating, drinking, shopping – in a totally immersive destination.”

Juliana Delaney, CEO of Continuum, added: “Continuum is delighted to be partnering with EXTREME on this exciting new direction for the Continuum group.”