Early Opening for Cardrona
Roxburgh 'e-mob' ready
THE Waitaki District Council will consider 18 new projects for inclusion in its 201828 longterm plan today.
The initial rates proposed in March of 3.67% in the first year of the plan, 201819, were lowered earlier this month to 2.89%.
But if all 18 projects were to receive approval, the first year of the plan would require a 3.23% rates rise.
In the second year, rates would go up 4.52% and in the third year there would be another 4.28% rates rise.
Among the new projects scheduled to receive either ‘‘approve, stop, or defer’’ votes from councillors this week are: developing a ‘‘master plan’’ for Omarama, Otematata and Oamaru Harbour and historic area, for $90,000; a $70,000 10year loan for the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre to fund 50% of repair costs; increasing the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail maintenance budget to $150,000 for the next three years; $6750 a year for three years for cycle safety programme, Onya Bike; $10,000 for each ward for improved footpaths; increasing the budget for the initial dredging of Oamaru Harbour to $500,000; increasing the grant to Mountain Bike North Otago to $15,000 a year; a $6000 a year grant to Oamaru Steam and Rail; funding $150,000 a year to road seal extensions; and developing a community waste survey for $10,000.
In a statement, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher thanked submitters and commented on the direction councillors took during closeddoor deliberations on Tuesday, saying: ‘‘There was a focus on improving customer service and the capacity of staff to deal with the increasing workload we face . . .
‘‘A principal focus for the next 10 years is on economic and social development, and creating opportunities that will help continue building a stronger and more resilient Waitaki district, but while doing that we must also keep the district affordable.
‘‘We have worked hard to keep the rates increase to a minimum while ensuring that we are providing the facilities, infrastructure, and services to support and enable growth in our community.’’ THE Cardrona Alpine Resort will have the earliest opening in its history this weekend — but with only some facilities and only for two days.
The skifield has 90cm of fresh snow and general manager Bridget Legnavsky said yesterday it was decided to celebrate the fact by having a ‘‘preseason teaser’’.
‘‘The snowfall from last week was the latest in a string of storms this year, with large snowfalls on the mountain every month in 2018 except for January,’’ she said.
Depending on the weather, the McDougall’s Chondola and the beginners’ area would be open between 8.30am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
After the weekend, the resort will resume preparations for the field’s official opening on June 16.
That includes builders completing the Base Cafe and Mezz renovations and training over 600 staff due to arrive on June 11.
Cardrona manager from the field’s rope tow days in 1981, until 2004, Sean Gilbertson, told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he could not recall an earlier opening.
The Remarkables Ski Field opens on June 9, Coronet Peak on June 16 and Treble Cone on June 28.