News; Elliot; Jim Carroll Of SnOasis takes Paul Pruszynski of British Bobsleigh Association around the SnOasis Site; Pic Lucy taylor; MyPhotos24 Ref lt 010 Jim Carroll 1

THE latest in a growing list of SnOasis supporters has visited the Great Blakenham site to imagine the potential of a 350-acre winter sports complex in Suffolk.

British Bobsleigh Association director Paul Pruszynski hopes the indoor slopes will produce a glittering roster of gold medal-winning alumni when it opens its doors to young British athletes.

Mr Pruszynski was greeted at the site by project spokesman Jim Carroll, who painted a picture of things to come, including a full-length bobsleigh track fit for any international team.

Developers Onslow Suffolk have recently attracted backers including Ipswich-born bobsledder Lenox “Lenny” Paul, along with other support from the winter sports industry.

Only three places in the world can match the facilities promised at SnOasis and Mr Pruszynski was keen to sing its praises.

He said: “I’ve been all over the highlands and lowlands and it really is a site to behold.

“Any facility like this would be of huge benefit to our sport and for all winter sports.

“This will bring them all together in a winter sports village that few other places can come close to competing with.”

The repeatedly delayed indoor winter sports resort in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, is expected to be finished in three years and work on a separate 350-home residential complex started last month.

When completed it will house the largest real snow indoor ski slope in the world, standing 100 metres high.

Mr Carroll said that although work on the leisure complex site has yet to start, progress is being made in securing sponsors and attracting support from winter sport controllers. “A huge amount of work is being done talking to various governing bodies and making sure the facilities being built match their requirements,” said Mr Carroll.

“This very much includes education and training as only a handful of winter athletes earn enough from their sport alone. Most need another string to their bow.”