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A need proven

•If ever proof was required to show that Ohakune (and the Waimarino) needed an altemative winter sports facility as a back up to the Turoa Skifield surely this season has demonstrated that need. So long as we depend on a single winter sports resource which, in turn, depends on the variables of weather and volcanic acti vity, Ohakune will never be able to build up a reliable reputation and image as a truely winter sports resort. The Turoa Skifield will always be the main magnet to attract winter visitors to the Waimarino for five months of the year but, in order to keep those visitors here, we must be able to provide them with some altemative all-weather recreational activity when the weather (or volcanic eruptions) deny several thousand skiers their first choice of sport. And, because several thousand skiers are always involved when they are denied access to the skifields, only a bulk handling recreational and sports facility which can cater for these huge numbers of people we see in town or heading out elsewhereon 'closed' days, is the answer. Ortly two types of recreational facility fall into this category: an all-weather heated swimming pool (see separate story) and a full size indoor ice skating rink. Other limited-number sports facilities such as indoor soccer and tennis courts, a 10-pin bowling alley or extra squash courts will not cater for either the number or type of visitor who may be looking for a less energetic and more recreational form of activity. A full size ice rink (35m x 56m) is capable of handling nearly 800 skaters at any one time (this is a recommended international density at 2.5m per skater). Past ski seasons have experienced this problem of ho w to cope with large numbers of disaffected skiers in order to keep them here during periods of bad weather and until the skifields re-open, but this ski season has been exceptional. Whereas the average number of 'Closed' days per season over the last 10

years has been 31.5, this year because of a combination of bad weather and volcanic activity, the number of 'Closed' days has been 57 (plus three 'half days) in the 130-day season since the Turoa skifield opened on 22 June. This means that Turoa was 'closed' for44percent of the season and every single business in town will have been affected. Desperate times call for desperate measures.If Ohakune is to retain its image as the premier winter ski resort of the North Island it must 'get its act together' and fund an altemative winter sports/recreational facility which would not only provide for frustrated skiers on 'closed' days but would serve to attract other visitors throughout the year and serve the local community. True, a full size 1960 sq metre ice rink would cost in the region of $2 million and would be a huge investment, but with 50 or 60 businesses in town plus something like , 30 ski club lodges as potential investors, it should not be too difficult to find sufficient capital to raise a loan and finance such a facility. Every single local business would benefit for years to come whatever the mountain or weather chooses to do. Nor would a loan take long to pay off before a profit is shown. With up to 4800 skaters per day (on 'closed' days) and a somewhat lesser number on other days, the ice rink could generate up to $36,000 per day at an average admission price of $7.50 ($10 per adult and $5 per child) for each 2-hour session. Over the past 3-4 years surveys have been done into the viability of an ice skating rink in Ohakune and, last year, a feasibility study was commissioned which proved absolutely conclusively that such a facility was both viable and a sound investment. With 57 'closed' days this season an ice rink might have generated over $2m ($36,000 x 57)in that time. If only local businesses and other people in the community could get together (just as they did to build the Ohakune Mountain Road and the Ohakune Swimming Baths when even less was expected by way of financial retum) and form a company to construct an ice rink then, and only then, will we be able to build up and maintain a reputation as a 'guaranteed' winter resort. Moreover, by providing the only ice rink in the southern half of the North Island (the nearest being Hamilton and Christchurch) we would attract visitors from such places as Wanganui, Palmerston North, Taupo and Taumarunui as well as from the wider Waimarino, throughout the year. Let's do it!

Dennis

Beytagh

Ohakune

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/RUBUL19951107.2.17.4

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 611, 7 November 1995, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
774

A need proven Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 611, 7 November 1995, Page 4

A need proven Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 611, 7 November 1995, Page 4

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