Public funds for $25m ski gondola
The Government is poised to announce a financial commitment to the $25 million gondola project for a Mt Ruapehu skifield.
The addition will mean skiers and snowboarders can take the ride up the mountain to the Knoll Ridge cafe at Whakapapa in just 5 minutes, at full speed.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones will make the announcement at the Powderhorn Chateau in Ohakune this morning.
“It’s a commercial partnership, not a straight grant,” his office said. “It’s a key project in the regional action plan.”
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) intends to install the gondola between the end of this winter season and the start of next year’s.
“The economic indicators for the region are compelling with the new gondola expected to contribute $50 million per annum of additional expenditure, and an additional 137 fulltime jobs at Whakapapa in the restaurants, maintenance, sales, retail and transport teams,” the company said.
The gondola will run 1.8km, rising from a new base terminal — beside the cafe at the top of the Bruce Rd
— to a new top terminal beside the Knoll Ridge cafe. The Waterfall chairlift, which runs from near the top of the Rangatira chairlift to beside the Knoll cafe, will be removed.
The new system will have 50 gondola cabins, each with space for 10 passengers, RAL chief executive Ross Copland said. “Internal ski racks, leather seats and Wi-Fi onboard offer business-class luxury to passengers. The gondola will be a revolution for skiers with fewer closed days, improved performance on windy days and a blistering fast trip at 6m per second.” RAL hopes the gondola will attract more non-skiers — snowman builders and tobogganers in winter, and sightseers and those in wheelchairs year-round.
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