Thinkers group wants airport, lake and more

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 672, 4 February 1997, Page 5

Thinkers group wants airport, lake and more

An airport, a lake, combining information cen tres, rubbish problems and golf tours are just some of the topics of conversation that crop up at the "Think Tank" each Wednesday. The Think Tank is an informal meeting of people, open to anyone, that meets each Wednesday evening at the Powderhorn Chateau, Ohakune Junction, to discuss ideas for the future of Ohakune. Developing a regional airport is one that has been

discussed, with Ward's Airstrip near Raetihi being identified as being suitable. Making a lake is one of the host, Paul Scarf s pet ideas. It has been suggested that the area of land between the Maungarongo Marae and Tohunga Road would be suitable for a small recreation lake and an approach to the marae was to be made to discuss the idea. Combining the Ohakune information centre and the Department of Conservation's field centre was mooted some time ago, as a

way to "get people into the park and promote our best asset, the Ohakune Mountain Road". The Mainstreet plans have been discussed, with some disappointment with the architect's concepts. The group basically feels that many of the committee's submissions were ignored. A Think Tank priority is a walking track from the town to the Junction, for running, walking, biking, skateboarding, in-line skating, 'spot the trout'. Closing the old Hapuawhenua Viaduct to walkers by the Department of Conservation, thanks to Occupational Safety and Health rules, is a concern for the group, who feel it should be reopened. Golf tours for overseas visitors, based in Ohakune, have been suggested. It has been noted that there are 19 golf courses within easy reach of Ohakune. "Golf is a huge market and very cheap in New Zealand," thinks the Tank.