Fire crews called again to arson-hit ex-ski site

FIREFIGHTERS HAVE been called again called to arson attacks in and around the former Sheffield Ski Village.

The Alpine-themed site opened in Parkwood Springs in 1988 but closed after a major blaze, which was thought to have been started deliberately, in 2012.

It has been plagued by arson attacks and vandalism since its closure and firefighters said they tackle a series of grassland and shrubland fires, thought to have been started deliberately on Saturday night.

Crews from Rivelin Valley, Elm Lane and Sheffield Central stations attended three blazes in the space of just a few hours.

The former Ski Village site has been plagued by arson attacks and vandalism since it burnt to the ground six years ago.

There have been scores of fires at the derelict site since then.

More details on a planned £22.5m revival of the site were released in June.

Last November, the council appointed a consortium led by sports group EXTREME Destinations as the preferred developer to deliver a sports, leisure and entertainment complex at Parkwood Springs.

Initially, the project is expected to create 100 new full-time jobs, with more on the way as the attraction grows.

The ski slopes are expected to be reinstated in the first phase of the scheme, with further attractions to follow, including the prospect of an indoor sky diving facility, a ‘virtual reality hub’, shops and themed hotel accommodation.

It could also include zones for snowboarding and sledding, a zip line, cycle tracks, a lake for canoeing, as well as an entertainment space in an ampitheatre.

Chris Lewis, from EXTREME, said a bid was being developed for Sheffield City Region funding.

James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, is pictured with the full company on stage before for the final performance at the Shakespeare Rose Theatre in York. The pop-up theatre will now be taken down and the land will revert to a car park. The temporary structure was erected in just 28 days.