Turoa Lodge re-opens after extensive renovations

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 14, 27 August 1985, Page 18

Turoa Lodge re-opens after extensive renovations

Last weekend saw the opening of Ohakune's new night spot, Turoa Lodge. The ground floor of the Lodge has been extensively renovated and completely re-decorated with two restaurants and a cocktail lounge which occupy most of the ground floor. 'The Gazebo', a glass conservatory in 1 930's style, has a blackboard menu and caters for 30 people. An a la carte menu is served in 'Rumours' which is open for dinner from 7.30pm and seats 60 people. This is the more formal of the two restaurants with open fires and pastel decor. The Lodge is now fully licensed which allows guests to dine later over a cocktail and supper menu. Proprietor of the Turoa Lodge, Tricia Cohen, says this is important as "overseas tourists can't accept there's nowhere to eat after 10 o'clock in Ohakune." She believes there is a need in the town for an upmarket restaurant which is open late. Turoa Lodge wasrenovat-

fed in just four weeks. Tricia, a make-up artist in Wellington during the summer months, employed 25 tradespeople, most of who work for the film industry "so are used to working long hours," says Tficia. "We worked from 7 in the morning until 1 1 at night." As well as the restaurant, a health centre is being completed at the rear of the lodge, which will be equipped with spas, saunas, and a solarium can be used on a 1 0-week course or for casual visits for the public as well as guests. A private courtyard adjacent to the Lodge is also due to be completed soon. Tricia is as yet unsure if the restaurants will be open throughout the summer months but she says they will probably do the same as last year — opening for bookings by arrangement and for gatherings such as conferences.