The Rooney plan for Waimate
South Canterbury businessman Gary Rooney is almost singlehandedly boosting Waimate’s image as a place to visit.
The owner and founder of the Rooney Group is behind several projects that are giving the Waitaki town’s main street a facelift.
Rick Stevens is managing the developments, which includes the redeveloped Waimate Hotel, the new Waimate Bakery, and the new Cups and Cones Gelato shop – with all three opening for business in the past 12 months.
Stevens said more projects were on the books, but he would not give away any details yet.
‘‘Gary remembers the prosperous Waimate of his youth, and wants to return it to the way it was,’’ Stevens said.
Rooney planned to breathe life back into the buildings, as they had fallen into a state of dilapidation.
Stevens, originally from the United States, moved to Waimate just over a year ago to manage the developments.
He oversees about 35 people working in the hotel, bakery and gelato operations.
As manager of Waimate Limited, Stevens said his objective was to rejuvenate the town of about 3000.
‘‘We are aiming to rejuvenate Waimate as a whole in an effort to bring more people to Waimate.
‘‘We are going about it one building at a time.’’
Rooney, who is no stranger to New Zealand’s Rich List, announced multiple projects in the town in 2018, including the redevelopment of the hotel, demolition of its two neighbouring buildings, and proposals to demolish the Savoy Building, the Country Kitchen Building, and the Walker McGeorge Building.
He was then behind the construction of a medical centre development worth close to $2 million on the town’s main street, Queen St.
In December 2018, Rooney bought the historic and dilapidated Quinn’s Arcade, adding to his growing portfolio in the town’s central business district.
‘‘Gary remembers the prosperous Waimate of his youth, and wants to return it to the way it was.’’
Rick Stevens on the motivation of Gary Rooney (pictured).
Cups and Cones Gelato, a pop-up shop in the former post office, was the latest development, opening late 2020.
‘‘It started with the Waimate Hotel, then the bakery which we just opened in October, and now the old post office,’’ Stevens said.
‘‘Cups and Cones Gelato will be a pop-up shop in summer, and we will then be renovating the old post office building at the end of summer.’’
The old post office would be repainted and fitted out for a new venture.
Stevens said there was a plan for the space, but he would not reveal what the plan was yet.
‘‘We have a couple more buildings we are working on.’’
Stevens said there had ‘‘been a change in energy’’ in Waimate over the last year.
‘‘We want to offer something that is good quality, a good service and a good product.’’
On The Road is a series about the best places to eat, explore and enjoy in the South Island this summer. If you know of any other hidden gems, email reporters@press.co.nz