Study shows smaller ice skating rink feasible

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 534, 3 May 1994, Page 1

Study shows smaller ice skating rink feasible

Waimarino's ice skaing rink project has taken a step closer to fruition with the completion of a financial feasibility study, prepared by local chartered accountants, Peach, Comwall & Partners. The report said the full sized rinked, costing $2.25 million plus land, was beyond the reach of the district at present, but that a smaller rink, housed in the King Countiy Energy workshop in Old Station

Road, was a viable proposition. The power company is seeking to quit the building. A six month operation was suggested as being viable, rather than the original 12 months. Whether a longer operating period was viable would need to be evaluated by the operators. "At a capital cost possibly as low as $400,000, the provision of a rink based on second-hand equip-

ment is a possibility for the 1 994 winter operation in Ohakune," states the report. "It will be necessary to either find an entrepreneur willing to invest or alternatively setting up an active group of enthusiasts to raise money, apply for grants etc, then seek guarantees from the business/accommodation houses to find the balance of capital to construct a (smaller) 35 x 20 metre rink."

The smaller rink would provide for up to 280 skaters at any one time. During the six month winter operation it is proposed to have no fewer than five two-hour sessions per day. Set out in the report is a cost summary for the two options. The capital costs were estimated at $2.25 for the full size rink and $700,000 for the small rink. If the land and building were leased from KCE, the Turn to Page 2

Skating rink study

FROMPAGEl small rink would cost $400,000. Running costs and interest for 12 months' operation were $674,000 and $261,400 respectively and income projections were $783,225 (large rink) and $345,425 (small rink). For a six months' operation the running costs were $516,800 (large) and $184,200 (small) and income projections were $639,225 (large) and $335,425 (small). Proposal proponent Dennis Beytagh- and accountant Bill Peach visited most of the larger indoor skating rinks in the country and found "without doubt" the most impressive was the Alpine Ice Sports Centre in Christchurch. The report said it appeared to have the most up-to-date features and hopefully, once support was proven, would be the standard Ohakune could strive for. "That the area needs an attraction for its many sports minded visitors for closed ski field days and for supporters and locals, who do not ski, is well documented and accepted by all spoken to," states the report. "We hope the opportunity of the availability of the second hand pland and the possibility of a suitable site and building is not lost," wrote Mr Peach and Mr Beytagh in the report. "The district has, we believe, a unique set of circumstances which together can achieve a much needed facility. It would also provide much needed employment in the district. The site too has the ability to attract further facilities such as indoor go-carts, bowling alleys, etc." Other sites looked at, Rochfort Park and beside the Ohakune Club, were mled out because of difficulties and high costs associated with groundworks.