Outdoor education plan for Horopito Hall supported

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 581, 11 April 1995, Page 2

Outdoor education plan for Horopito Hall supported

Horopito Hall looks likely to remain where it is and become a base for an outdoor education centre. The Waimarino Community Board agreed to reject all tenders for the removal of the hall, which ranged from $500 to $26,850, and a proposal for its lease and use as an outdoor education centre put forward by Ruapehu College, be accepted subject to negotiation. The proposed activities would initially include leadership training, outdoor education and social stud-

ies as offered at the College which would be available at the centre following upgrading to meet minimum Occupational Health and Safety requirements as an outdoor education centre, stated council property officer Allan Low in his report to the board. "The intentions over time are to expand the facilities for use not only by the College but contributing schools, and, ultimately outside agencies such as polytechnics, colleges of education, leadership train-

ing organisations, corporate training organisations and seminar/conference providers," he continued. "The envisaged development would include accommodation and associated facilities, confidence course, indoor lecture centre and indoor training centre probably based on a marae type layout."

"This proposal offers a window of opportunity for the fiiture use of an under utilised facility and through expansion of its operations could result in an increase of resident population in an area which historically has reducingnumbers," saidMr Low. Council guidelines on leasing recreation reserves

includes a rental of three per cent of the unimproved value plus rates. With an unimproved value of $7000, the rental would be $210 per annum for the hall and domain. Mr Low said an alternative could be to approach the Ministers of Education and Conservation with a view to having the property vested to education with the College paying for the improvements on it. In supporting the proposal, the board expressed appreciation for the work of the hall committee, Mr Low and Ruapehu College acting principal Graham Parker.