New tavern to be opened by Minister

Press, 26 April 1979, Page 22

New tavern to be opened by Minister

The Greta Valley Tavern, which was first proposed for the area early in 1970, will be opened officially at 10.30 a.m. this Saturday by the Minister of Tourism and Regional development (Mr Cooper).

Based on the tenet of evoking a rural, homestead/woolshed atmosphere, the tavern’s two

bars and service facilities are designed to cater for about 'l5O people — with about 75 people each in the Teamsters public bar and the Motunau family bar, where meals will be served in a suitable “Cobb and Co.” atmosphere. The opening of this tavern heralds the beginning of the new Greta Valley village and a new life style for the whole area. The building is sited on a focal point within the village and commands a panoramic view of the typical North Canterbury countryside, including a deer farm. The tavern consists of a 325 sq. m building of wood and concrete block and includes all the facilities necessary to comply with the Licencing regulations.

In charge of the new tavern will be the manager, Phil Mitchell and his wife, Pam.

According to the architect for the tavern, Mr Graeme L. Robertson, the design had to comply with local town planning and council requirements. It was also agreed upon with Greta Valley Property Developments, Ltd, that* the materials for the tavern should be of an “earthy” type —i ncluding such things as heavy timber, natural finishes and colours, and a gable roof. “The owners and developers were happy with the overall concepts and eventually agreed,” Mr Robertson said.

“The atmosphere of the bars has been designed to project a simple, homely, country type feeling. “Both bars have got big bay windows looking out to the rolling hills to the north-west. There is a big fireplace inside for huge logs, while the big decks outside the French doors also are very pleasant, particularly for a barbecue.

‘“Motels will be built near the tavern and the proposed camping site, for caravans and tents, will be within 90 m.” The members of the Greta Valley Property Developments, Ltd, committee are Messrs T. G. Maxwell, S. Murray, T. I. Smith, W. Foster and M. Henderson.