Ruapehu Scout ski lodge opened

Ruapehu Bulletin, 13 August 1991, Page 7

Ruapehu Scout ski lodge opened

Ruapehu Scouts' dream of having their own lodge took substance recently, with scouts and parents on hand Friday night, to officially open the new Ohakune Scout Lodge. It was fruit juice all round for the 40 plus gathering that braved heavy rain and ankledeep mud to get to the lodge, sited behind the Scout hall in Lee Street,

Ohakune. The informal ceremony was attended by Ruapehu district Mayor Garrick Workman, who offered his congratulations to all those involved in making the five year-old dream a reality. Scouts spokesman Mike Fetzer, said the construction of the 24man lodge was made possible by a Trust Bank loan to the New Zealand Scout Association - on behalf of Ruapehu Scouts; by sheer hard work on the part of par-

ents, and a great deal of generosity by local businesses. A special mention was made of Graham Foster who worked until the early hours of the morning installing plumbing. The lodge took between 5-6 weeks to complete, from the laying of the piles to the varnishing of the floor. The modern Lock-wood-designed lodge in natural wood finish is fully self-contained, featuring bunk-style accommodation, drying

room, spacious fullyequipped kitchen and dining area, and kent fire heating. The inspired addition of a sound-proof door separating the bunk area from the rest of the building completes the 1 picture - total cost, I around $75,000. I Mr Fetzer is confidant I that with intensive cam- 1 paigning within the I Scout Association, the I loan can be payed back I through rental of the I premises. The lodge is I already 18 nights pre- 1 booked, with the cost ofl an overnight stay cur- 1 rently set at $20 per per- 1 son; the cost halved dur- 1 ing the summer months. I Mr Fetzer said the lodge I will be utilised primarily I by scout groups. The I first paying customers - 1 a Wellington sea scout I

pack - took up residence on Saturday night. A great many individuals and busineses were involved in the construction of the new Ohakune Scout Lodge.

Those receiving special mention are Horne Brothers, John Mcllroy, Graham Foster, Lockwood, and Peter Richards; AHI, Winstone Pulp International,

Ohakune Engineering, Dixon Engineering, Alan Foster, NZ Fibreglass, Resenes, Master Trade, Pinex Timber, Bruce Cranston, and Ian Strachan.