Olympic media centre could become indoor skiing resort

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Artificial ski slope creator Acer Snowmec, which built the world's largest snowdome in Dubai, has bid to take over the vast complex.

Housing 20,000 print and broadcast journalists for the Games and with the same floorspace as a Canary Wharf skyscraper, it was intended to be transformed into a hi-tech centre for new jobs.

Ministers rejected the option of erecting a portable structure, opting instead to pump in an extra £100million to create a home for new businesses.

But legacy chiefs said no major broadcaster or media company showed any interest in becoming an anchor tenant, raising the prospect that it could be demolished.

Birmingham-based Acer Snowmec has lodged its interest with the Olympic Park Legacy Company.

The firm has designed and operated indoor ski centres, including the 250,000 sqft Ski Dubai centre, the Mills Meadowlands Xanadu in New Jersey and the Madrid Xanadu. Ski Dubai includes an 85-metre indoor mountain with five ski slopes, including a 400-metre run, the world's first indoor black run, and a 90-metre quarter pipe for snowboarders.

Acer Snowmec's plans would involve a major redevelopment that is expected to face significant planning issues given its likely height in a residential area. A spokesman told Estates Gazette: "We have made a bid to the OPLC for a winter sports-anchored development."

A source said: "The OPLC is keen to pursue Hackney's aspirations for a creative industries hub but this venue has always been the toughest nut to crack and ultimately other ideas will need to be considered."

The OPLC began marketing the complex at the end of last year, promoting it as a "long-term centre for employment, bringing investment and job opportunities to east London".