SKI Rossendale is set for a major revamp after being awarded £375,000 by Sport England.

In the first phase of the project, the National Lottery cash will allow the Rawtenstall snow sports centre to create a teaching and development area, install a new surface on the slope and ski lift, and be extended to incorporate a longer slope.

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In the second stage, a new building designed to house the main ski hire, changing facilities, lockers, and full disabled access to the slopes will be built, and a first floor café bistro will be opened with viewing areas overlooking the slopes and across the Valley.

The centre is one of 36 projects across England to share in over £12.5million of National Lottery investment to improve grassroots sports facilities.

The project is due for completion in autumn 2015.

Ski Rossendale project leader David Fuller said: “We are delighted to be awarded this. It sets Ski Rossendale up to move forward offering a great customer experience.”

Coun Andy MacNae, portfolio holder for regeneration, leisure and tourism, said: “This is wonderful news for Ski Rossendale and for the Valley as a whole. Ski Rossendale is one of our most important assets, one which has put Rossendale on the map and inspired thousands of people to get into sport.

“It has been great working with the social enterprise team there to bring in this much-needed investment.

“Looking forward, we hope we can build on this, attracting further funding, getting Ski Rossendale back to where it belongs and complementing regeneration going on elsewhere in the Valley.

Charles Johnston, Sport England’s property director, said: “We know people have a better experience of sport when they have good facilities in which to play.

“This is why we’re investing in Ski Rossendale to improve their facilities so they are more appealing to young people, and help us to get them developing a sporting habit.”