A SKI centre that was threatened with closure last year is to receive a £500,000 makeover as part of a new plan to boost user numbers.
Midlothian Snow Sports Centre at Hillend on the outskirts of Edinburgh, which is already said to have one of the longest and most challenging dry slopes in Europe, will be kitted out with an additional 230-yard slope, as well as 90 yards of new nursery slope.
Plans also include new snowtubing runs and replacement matting on the nursery slopes.
A new misting system will ensure the slopes remain lubricated to increase speed and to create a more realistic surface.
Skiers will also be able to use two new "magic carpet" uphill escalators, or "travellators".
The facility is the only one in Scotland that can host official Olympian-standard seeded giant slalom and is the second-longest in Europe behind a German centre, the sport's governing body Snowsport Scotland said.
Midlothian Council, which owns and runs the centre, said the developments were designed to improve the skiing experience.
The centre was threatened with closure last year after the council said it could no longer afford to fund it but was saved by donations from sportscotland and the Scottish Government.
Sportscotland, the national agency for sport in Scotland, offered £533,000, and the council said this would be used for the snowsport centre's revamp.
The council is also looking to develop investment partnerships, which could include a new hotel or accommodation complex.
As well as hoping to attract more of the thousands of supporters who campaigned on Facebook to save the slopes, the Scottish Government has approved the release of £400,000 to pay for lessons for children.
The facility is an official international training centre and around 30 Olympians, including Alain Baxter and Finlay Mickel, have made use of the artificial slopes over the years.
The centre had been losing about £500,000 a year. A new management structure was set up to bring the facility back into profit by 2012, aided with grant support.
Jane Harvey, chief executive of Snowsport Scotland, said: "We are delighted because Hillend has always been a critical base for people not just training to elite standard but for developing participation at all levels."
The upgrade could be ready by July 2012, says the council.
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