Funding Found For Preston Ski Slope

A major vision for a radical leisure revamp on the banks of the River Ribble is one step closer to reality, as long-awaited funding has finally been secured for a massive new watersports and ski centre in Preston.

The ambitious project, slated for the existing Phoenix Park site near Preston Marina, promises to transform just under a third of the 33-hectare plot into a regional hub for outdoor adventure.

The Vision: Skiing, Surfing, and Singletrack

Currently dominated by motocross and go-karting facilities operated by Trax Motorsport, the expanded site will introduce three major new attractions:

• A 3-Hectare Leisure Lake: Reaching depths of two metres, the lake will cater to canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding. A mechanical pulley system will allow for water-skiing, while the south bank will feature two crescent-moon-shaped sandy beaches separated by a docking area. Open-water swimming and fishing will also be available.

• A 95-Metre Dry Ski Slope: Standing 12 metres high at its peak with a 20% gradient, the slope will use solar panels on its southern and western faces to generate renewable energy to power its own ski lift.

• A Downhill Mountain Bike Track: Running parallel to the ski slope, this dirt-track course will feature undulations designed to replicate a rugged downhill experience.

SIN is hoping, in fact praying that the slope constructed is nothing like the renders:

Social Enterprise at the Core

Trax Motorsport was originally founded in December 2000 as a joint initiative to combat antisocial motorbike riding by providing a safe, managed environment for young enthusiasts. True to its roots as an educational and training provider for youth in care, the new development embeds social utility directly into its design.

The blueprint includes 13 lakeside lodges designated as "transitional accommodation." These homes will support post-16-year-old students transitioning out of the care system, offering them a taste of independent living backed by on-site supervision and mentorship.

The new sports facilities will be fully open to these residents, alongside local schools and the wider community.

Race Against the Planning Clock

While the financial green light marks a massive milestone for applicant and Trax founder Eddie Sloane, a significant hurdle remains before heavy machinery can move in.

Preston City Council granted planning permission back in August 2023 under a strict three-year "use-it-or-lose-it" deadline, which is now just weeks away from expiring. Furthermore, town hall planners tacked on rigorous conditions regarding drainage, tree protection, habitat enhancement, and extensive land contamination testing—the latter requiring deep boreholes and trial pits.

Because these complex environmental investigations will take longer than the time left on the clock, developers have submitted a tactical request to the city council. They are seeking immediate approval to construct an access road on-site. Under UK planning law, building the road would legally constitute a "commencement of work," effectively locking in the planning permission indefinitely while the remaining environmental checks are completed.

Local enthusiasts and community leaders will now be watching the town hall closely to see if planners grant the final administrative leeway needed to get this major leisure asset off the drawing board and into the ground.