Progress on completing the new Knoll Ridge Chalet is very satisfactory but still behind the original time lines. This early construction programme had a commencement date of 27th October 2009, with a desired completion date of mid-July 2010. We were unable to commence the building process until the end of November with this delay being from the consent and approval process taking longer than expected. Even with this later start, we were hopeful that reasonably fine weather at critical periods of the build process may have assisted in allowing a condensed time line relative to that of the original plan, but this has proved not to be the case.
The company is very impressed with the efforts of Stanley Construction and their various subcontractors. Since very early in the program contractors have operated with multiple crews all working on staggered shifts of 10 days on and 4 days off. This ensured work was occurring on site over 7 days of each week and no fine days would be lost. But even with this extra effort weather conditions at this altitude did not allow any shortening of construction time.

From the Whakapapa opening day on Saturday 26th of June, toilet facilities will be available in the basement area of the new Knoll Ridge Café. Access to these facilities will be through the lower level entry. We envision that the remainder of the facility will open for public use in mid August. Until the new building is fully operational, shelter and a limited menu of food and beverage will be available from the Temporary Café facilities constructed for the 2009 season at the top of the Waterfall Express Chairlift.

Dave Mazey, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts General Manager, say that what makes him most excited about the new facilities is “the way the building feels. It is going to be stunning! The whole thing is exceeding my expectations”. Walking into the main space that will become the café seating area, you can understand his excitement as you gaze out over the valley and into the distance through what feels like endless glass and open space, into another world.

It is our understanding that there have been no further developments in the process of identifying the arsonist, but the rise from the ashes is looking fantastic!