Major renovations at Discovery Lodge

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 11, 6 August 1985, Page 4

Major renovations at Discovery Lodge

Over half a million dollars is being spent on renovating and extending Discovery Lodge, near National Park. To help cut costs the hotel's owners, Mel Lee and Graeme Horne, have been doing much of the work themselves. Already the size of the restaurant has been increased from a capacity of 30 to 47, making it possible to now seat a full coach party in the premises. The sixteen existing units have also been upgraded and four new units are planned. Several tour bus companies now stop at Discovery,

says Graeme, especially during the summer. Newmans camping tours also use the cabins during winter "as it is too cold to camp out here." Planned developments for later this year include a games room, squash courts, a ski shop and tennis courts. For the future, the partners plan to seal the road around the lodge and seal their existing temporary helicopter pad. The pinus contorta trees surrounding the lodge have to be removed as they are close to the National Park

boundary, so new trees will be planted to provide shelter. Underground power cables have recently been connected and the existing electricity poles in the lodge's grounds are to be removed. Mel and Graeme purchased Discovery 1 8 months ago and started on their extensions and redecorations straight away. "The place has never been owner-operated before," says Graeme, "so it needed a certain amount of upgrading." Prior to buying the lodge, Mel managed the Skotel at Whakapapa Village and

Graeme worked on the mountain for THC. Graeme originates from Morrinsville and Mel came from Paeroa 10 years ago. Cooking for the season again this year at the Lodge's restaurant is Pablo McAlister, who has worked as a chef throughout New Zealand and also in Australia. Pablo has worked at Ruapehu region hotels during a number of previous winter seasons and is well known on the slopes as he regularly skis in his distinctive black cowboy hat!