Still no deal to get Aviemore back into the swim
Macdonald Hotels and Resorts supremo Donald Macdonald was pushing for a long-term deal for local access to his company’s swimming pool in Aviemore prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, it has emerged.
But more than two years on from public swimming being allowed after the pandemic, and there is still no deal in place to return swimming at the Aviemore resort via the High Life Highland (HLH) scheme.
Both the resort operator and Highland Council profess to be keen to clinch an agreement but there still appears to be a financial chasm to overcome.
The arrangement in place prior to the Covid-19 lockdown was worth £190,000 per annum.
A previous deal had been for £228,000 annually.
Neither party has disclosed what they are looking for and such figures were redacted in a Freedom of Information (FoI) request by the Strathy for correspondence between the two parties on the wrangle.
But it does show company chairman Donald Macdonald was keen to broker an agreement – when the general perception in the past has been that he has been a barrier.
Mr Macdonald states in correspondence to the council dated November 2019 when an interim deal arrangement was being discussed: “This is clearly a matter of significant concern to the local community.
“Having seen the major negative impact on the people of Aviemore caused by the interruption to the scheme last year, we are very keen to avoid a repeat.
“It is in everyone’s interest that we reach a sustainable, long-term solution rather than having a series of sticking plaster arrangements.
“However, I cannot see how we can resolve the impasse unless there is meaningful engagement between us and I would be extremely grateful if you could respond to my various letters to you.”
And in an email a short time later to council chief executive Donna Manson, Mr Macdonald asserts the wrangle can only be resolved by “direct, senior input from both parties at the highest level’”.
He states: “Delegation to lawyers and junior staff will, I am afraid, merely delay matters further and lead to inconvenience for hundreds of local people as well as extra expense and waste of time.”
The response from the FoI shows that there were further discussions between council officials and resort managing director Iain Miller in the summer.
For full story, see this week's Strathy
