Ice skating rink for Ohakune in 1993?

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 447, 4 August 1992, Page 3

Ice skating rink for Ohakune in 1993?

Ohakune will have an ice skating rink by next winter, if plans currently under study come to fruition. Ohakune resident Dennis Beytagh has been working on a feasibility study on setting up a covered Olympic-sized rink for about two years, and he now heads a sub-group of the Ohakune Community Development Team which will look further into the project. Mr Beytagh has been investigating rinks and pneumatic canopies in Australia during his study. The main feature of the proposed ice-rink is the air-filled all-weather canopy which can be erected or dismantled in a few hours so that full advantage can be taken of prevailing weather conditions and forecasts.

Another advantage of this type of 'structure' is that the air pumped into it to keep it inflated can be heated or cooled to match the activity - cool for skating, or warm for swimming. The fabric used for the canopy is a membrane known as Tedlar and is similar to that used in bullet-proof flak jackets. It is translucent so that no artificial lighting is required during the day; no maintenance (painting, rust-proofing etc) is required; if damaged it is easily repaired with a patch and a special adhesive; and using that same adhesive the dome-like white structure lends itself readily as a background to a sponsor's logo. The material has a guaranteed life of 10 years but a life expectancy of 20 years or more. The cover over the North Sydney Olympic Pool has been used for the past 14 years and even though it is assembled and dismantled each year, there is no sign of wear and tear.

"Having worked on this project for two years and made contact with ice-rink specialists on both sides of the Tasman as well as with the Australian company specialising in these airsupported structures I am quite confident that with the support of local business organisations_ and service clubs, the co-operation of the Ruapehu District Council and the goodwill of the Waimarino community, we could have a full-size all-weather ice hockey and figure skating rink in Ohakune by the beginning of the 1993 ski season," said Dennis Beytagh. "But this will depend on two things: first we must get a design consultant over from Sydney to make a detailed inspection of the proposed sije in Rochfort Park, do a more thorough feasibility study and then we must find a sponsor who will finance the project." "The design director for the company that makes these domes was most enthusiastic and positive about our concept and, when I retumed

to New Zealand, I carried out a preliminary feasibility study obtaining such details as weather and temperature charts for this area, ordinance survey maps, council by-laws, access to on-site power and other services, availability of accommodation in Ohakune and potential usage of such a facility." Enthusiastic Mr Beytagh met with the company director and design director of the architectural/engineering firm which specialises in this type of structure earlier this year, giving them this initial information. "They were even more enthusiastic and willing to help, by offering their experience and expertise in a very direct way under an agreement which we arranged before I left Sydney, "he said. They will come to Ohakune, assess the site, prepare a concept plan and help us find a sponsor." "For this initial visit they have agreed to forgo their usual design consultancy fees in re-

turn for their travel, accommodation, meal and entertainment expenses and a chance to do some skiing." "Of course once a sponsor has been found and funds are available they will expect the usual professional design and supervision fees for preparing detailed working drawings and seeing the project through to completion." "Six potential sponsors have already been identified and will be approached when the time is right." "I'm sure this iceskating rink is a facility we have all been waiting for," said Mr Beytagh. "Not only will it even out the annual boom-and-bust cycle between the ski seasons but, being the only facility of its kind in the lower half of the North Island (there are no others between Auckland and Christchurch), it will attract people from near and far throughout the year." "And even during the ski season it will provide an alternative winter sport when the skifields are closed."

"One of the interesting ideas to come out of this ice-rink project is the downstream (literally!) - effect of the refrigeration process," said Mr Beytagh. "The proposed site for the ice-rink in Rochfort Park beside the Mangateitei River is only a short distance from the Ohakune swimming baths across the road in Jubilee Park and the refrigeration process produces heat as a by- product." "We are looking at using this waste heat for the swimming baths by channeling it through pipes under the Ohakune-Raetihi road."