Hamlet developer still hoping

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 240, 19 April 1988, Page 8

Hamlet developer still hoping

By Susannah Walker The first 10 units of a proposed multi - million -dollar accommodation complex in Ohakune could be built in time for this ski season. But it all depends on the weather, says Mr

Harvey Bell, on behalf of developers H. G. and A. O. Bell, of Taihape. The site is wet because of recent rain and has to be drained, he says. This has caused a delay with the project. "Not all the components have been got together as quickly as

hoped," says Mr Bell. But, contrary to popular belief, the intention is still to start building as soon as possible. Waimarino District Secretary, Mrs Edith Moore, says she hasn't seen a building permit for the first 10 units go through. But building hasn't started yet and there's still plenty of time to put in an application, she says. Mr Bell says the final plans are being worked on at present. Eventually the complex, to be called "The Hamlet," will be made up of houses, luxury apartments, Swiss-style chalets and a 200-bed hotel. It will also include indoor and outdoor tennis courts, an ice-skating rink and a gymnasium, an indoor heated swimRUGBY DRAW 23rd April Senior Reserves Pirates v Raetihi*, U.O.B. v Waiouru*, Huia* v Ohakune, Navy v Bye. Senior Championship Huia* v Ohakune, Waiouru* v U.O.B., Raetihi* v Pirates. All Senior Reserves games at 2.45pm. All senior games at 1.15pm. * Host team.

ming pool, squash courts and a sauna. "We've got to create a lot of reasons for people to come to 'The Hamlet' and the area," says Mr Bell. The sports and leisure facilities will be built to a standard required by professional sportspeople, he says. Provision of health units is also being considered. Facility director Mr Don Oliver, who owns

a fitness centre in Auckland, would like to have an executive stress unit included in the complex, says Mr Bell. It's also possible a "health farm" will be run at the complex for two or three periods a year. Mr Bell says there will be a core group of 120 to 150 full-time staff when the complex is completed. The emphasis will be on permanent staff to

maintain a consistently high standard. Local people will have first priority for jobs and a training programme will be set up. Attracting locals back who have left the area and gained expertise will also be looked at, says Mr Bell. He predicts the project will give school-leavers the chance to get a job locally, when "usually such opportunities would be almost nil."

Mr Bell says the complex should be completed by 1992 if everything goes according to plan. He isn't concemed that people have been sceptical about the project even getting started. "I think Ohakune has been sceptical about the project," he concedes. "A lot of other projects haven't got off the ground, so it's not surprising that there's scepticism."