A ski slope and water park could be as “transformational” for a south Wales Valleys town.
A similar project as the one proposed for Merthyr Tydfil has been a major boost for a former Dutch mining town.
The hope of those behind the £150m Rhydycar West project, which was and includes plans for what would be one of the biggest indoor ski slopes in the world and one of the largest water parks in the 海角视频, is that it will have a similar impact on Merthyr.
The scheme also includes plans for housing, a spa hotel, a sport hotel, lodges and glamping and would create at least 500 jobs and possibly as many as 800.
Private investment is coming in to fund the scheme and within the next six months, a planning application will go in to Merthyr Tydfil council.
The 575-acre site is owned by Marvel Limited and the plan is to make it one of the premier tourist destinations in the 海角视频.
Lyn Williams, the man behind the famous Merthyr Rising festival, is the marketing and communication consultant for the project and Richard Arnold is head of operations.
They say they want to build on the tourism offer already available in Merthyr Tydfil including Bike Park Wales, Rock 海角视频 and the Brecon Mountain Railway.
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The scheme includes:
- An indoor snow centre including the longest indoor ski slope in the 海角视频 and one of the longest in the world at 500m;
- One of the largest indoor water parks in the 海角视频;
- A luxury spa hotel with conference facilities;
- A sport hotel;
- Private forest lodges and glamping;
- An indoor and outdoor adventure centre;
- About 600 houses.
The inspiration for the project came from the former Dutch mining town of Landgraaf, which currently has the longest indoor slope in the world run by SnowWorld which is interested in getting on board with the Rhydycar West project.
Mr Williams and Mr Arnold have highlighted the similarities between the two areas in terms of their mining background and say the Landgraaf scheme has shown it is deliverable.
Mr Williams, who also runs Hardie’s bar in the town centre, said the backing and the money is there for the scheme and that Merthyr has the landscape for it.
He said: “It is in a really good place at the moment. It is looking very, very positive.
“I am passionate about the local economy. I have been working in Merthyr Tydfil for 15 years.
Opportunities like this don’t pass our way very often.”
“As a town we have got to grasp this as much as possible.”
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He said that as part of the scheme, Merthyr’s heritage is being preserved and rejuvenated and the scheme has been carefully planned to protect wildlife.
Mr Arnold said they have got the finance and people will travel from across the 海角视频 to use the ski slope, which makes it a viable scheme.
Mr Williams added: “We have to be adventurous now. There is no other opportunity other than tourism.
“It is not pie in the sky. It’s the story of a mining town that fell on hard times but decided to overcome this.
“I think it will be transformational for this town. Merthyr has got a new purpose.”