Venturelodge shares offered

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 288, 30 May 1989, Page 2

Venturelodge shares offered

Ohakune's Venturelodge is to change ownership after the winter season.

A public share issue in the new Venturelodge Club is being floated with shares being offered to the public at $9,500 each. The Club will purchase the lodge and operate it for the benefit of 90 shareholders, their families, and friends. Venturelodge was developed in 1981 by Peter Stenhouse and Wally Romanes. In the past eight years thousands of visitors to Ohakune have enjoyed the lodge's special brand of hospitality, say the operators. The advent of Venturelodge marked a lift in accommodation standards for trampers and skiers, says Mr

Stenhouse. Bunkrooms were replaced by private bedrooms with ensuites, and meals were being prepared by chefs, not cooks. Summer programmes promoted by Venturetreks of Auckland have been a particular feature of the Venturelodge, bring summer tourists to Ohakune. Paul McLuckis, who was responsible for upgrading the Grand Hotel to what is now known as Turoa Lodge, has joined with Peter Stenhouse in promoting the share issue. They both see a place for an upmarket lodge which has the benefits of lower costs associated with

shared ownership, and yet still provides a high standard of serviced accommodation to club members. Suzy Miller, manageress of Venturelodge for the past three years will be reponsible for the marketing and selling of shares in The Venturelodge Club over the winter. For Venturelodge itself it will be business as usual.