High Life at Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort

21st March 2009

Members of The Highland Council�s High Life leisure access scheme will now have access to swimming and leisure facilities in Aviemore thanks to a partnership between the Council and Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort.

From Wednesday 1st April, locals and people from throughout the Highlands who have High Life membership will be able to use the Resort�s swimming pool with flume, sauna, steam room and spa pool. In addition, temporary access to the existing soft play area will be provided as part of High Life until the Resort develops new soft play facilities in its leisure facility foyer.

This agreement between The Highland Council and Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort is for three years and will be reviewed on a regular basis.

High Life membership charged by the Council costs �20.55 for a family, �14.68 individual monthly direct debit or budget access for just 50p per activity for householders on: Income Support, Pension Guarantee Credit, Job Seekers Allowance (income based), or individuals on Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance.

In addition Aviemore Highland Resort will provide:

. three hours per week where any person can use the swimming pool or soft play area for 50p regardless of High Life membership;

� discount to High Life members to allow public access to its gym.

Council staff will be on hand to receive applications for High Life from Monday 23rd March to Friday 10th April at a temporary registration desk at the Aviemore Highland Resort. Alternatively High Life applications can be made at Highland Council Service Points or at the Craig MacLean Leisure Centre in Grantown on Spey or the Badenoch Centre at Kingussie.

Locals who already have an existing High Life proof of residency card will be contacted directly by the Council informing them of the new arrangement.

Member of The Highland Council�s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Jaci Douglas said: �This is fantastic news first and foremost for the people of Badenoch and Strathspey who will now be able to access Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort�s swimming and leisure facilities through the Council�s High Life Scheme. It is also great news for other High Life members throughout the Highlands who I am sure will be attracted to visit Aviemore and the surrounding area to take full advantage of their membership. This will undoubtedly create economic benefits to the area and I am delighted that Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort is now in full partnership with Highland Council in contributing to the health of the Highlands.�

Gerry McGee, Chief Executive, Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort said: �We are pleased to make our superb facilities at Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort available to the Community via the High Life scheme. This is part of our increased efforts to provide even more tangible benefits to the Community�.

�Customers are of course also welcome to take advantage of our first class food, beverage and retail areas where High Life members will receive special discounts. The Inflatable Fun Factory is very popular with local children and parents. Plans for the cinema are now well advanced�.

�We hope that our partnership with Highland Council will encourage more residents to join the High Life Scheme and enjoy our superb facilities whilst also benefiting their own well-being.

�We must point out however that the long term benefit to the Community of this significant commitment by Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort will be dependent on the future viability of the Resort. This will demand the support and backing of the Community.�