Whakapapa given go-ahead for radical rebuild

The arson-destroyed Knoll Ridge Cafe and groomer shed will be replaced by this new chalet as part of $12 million worth of improvements at Whakapapa.

Whakapapa skifield received a boost for its next ski season after approval was given for the rebuilding of structures razed in an arson.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has secured resource consent to replace the Knoll Ridge Cafe and groomer shed, which were deliberately burned down in February.

The skifield operator has released artist impressions of the replacement buildings, which it expects will make "quite a statement".

The $12 million refit includes a modern cafe with floor to ceiling windows, providing views of the Pinnacles and Te Heu Heu Valley.

A new snow groomer workshop and storage area are also planned for a site below the Valley T-Bar drive station.

The rebuilding will begin immediately to take advantage of drier, warmer conditions for the complicated, high altitude construction. The new facilities are expected to be ready for the 2010 season.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts general manager Dave Mazey said the arson gave the company the chance to rethink the location of the buildings.

The new cafe will be 50m further down the slope, creating better access for skiers and boarders, and the relocation of the groomer shed will free up a good piste area.

The old cafe had been built 25 years ago and was positioned awkwardly between the Waterfall Express Chairlift and the Valley T-Bar, causing people to walk uphill to reach it.

Marketing manager Mike Smith said Whakapapa's lower skier numbers this year were partly because of its weakened infrastructure.

He said that the makeshift cafe worked "surprisingly well" but they could not endure another season without a fully functioning cafe on the higher slopes.

"We've managed to get through this year but I don't think we'd want to do it again. People took the arson pretty personally, it was devastating for us, and we did see a transfer of numbers to Turoa."

Turoa skifield had a record season, drawing 237,000 visitors. Police are yet to find the people responsible for the arson.