ACCOMMODATION FOR SKATERS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 17

ACCOMMODATION FOR SKATERS

Motels To Be Built At Lake Tekapo TIMARU. February 11. The influx of ska'ers at Lake Tekapo has been such that *he proprietor of the Tekaoo ice-skating rink (Mr M. White) proposed to build four blocks of motels which, over a period of four years, will represent a capital outlay of about £20.000. Foundations are now bein' 1 laid for the first block. Mr White said the object was to provide suitable accommodation for skaters from all parts of New Zealand. Each motel will consist of two bedrooms, lounge, dinette. kitchen and ba'hroom A main boilerhouse will provide heated air by means of ducts under the floorin? The rooms will be carpeted, refrigerators will be provided and washing machines will be included in the furnishings. The buildings will be constructed of concrete blocks with vertical grooved boards, with coloured panels in the front, and windows at the back facing up the centre of the lake. The first block should be completed by the end of May. and the remaining three blocks will be built during rhe next *hree seasons Mr White said that from June to the end of August. Sunday visitors numbered about 1200 and he believed a greater number of tourists would visit Lake Tekapo as its attractions were developed A modern home, to be used eventually as a caretaker’s residence or for the use of staff also would be built on the site. Apart from Automobile Association accommodation there were no motels closer than those in the Mount Cook area, he said There also was a possibility that, if the airs’rip between Tekapo and Balmoral was developed to DC-3 standards chartered air companies might take advantage of it as the approaches are perfectly suitable

More persons had camped at Tekapo ‘his year than at any time during the last five years The resort was becoming increasingly popular for water-ski-ing and boating, and it was hoped to secure the services of top-flight iceskating instructors from overseas. Mr White said It was possible that youth hostels would be erected in the area, and it was behoved that Te Tekapo Ski Club entertained certain proposals for the develonment of the skitow (which operated last year) and access reading, Mr White concluded.