Mt. Cook To Have Store And Restaurant

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30220, 27 August 1963, Page 9

Mt. Cook To Have Store And Restaurant

A restaurant and general •tore building, which will also act as a social centre for visitors and residents, is nearing completion at Mount Cook. The builder is a former Christchurch man, Mr E. N. Stick, who was in the building trade for several years in Papanui on his own account, but intends when he has finished his present project to settle down as its proprietor.

According to the secretary of the Mount Cook National Park Board <Mr W. M. OHivier) the project should fulfil a long-felt need. Mr Stick's venture coincides with a move by the board to provide camping sites, shelters, and other amenities, and to develop the park generally for

the convenience of visitors — though without intruding on its natural beauty. A main feature of the restaurant is its wide glass frontage, through which patrons will get an uninterrupted view of mountain scenery. When the weather is suitable, they will be able to view the scenery from outside the windows, on a balcony accessible only from inside the building and standing a storey above the ground at that side; this arrangement will prevent the view being spoilt by parked cars and the like. As a further precaution, a car park is being provided at the rear, and the main entrance will be from this park. The restaurant has alcoves for visiting parties, and the whole area may be cleared and used for dances, indoor bowls, and other entertainments. A downstairs room at the front of the building will be available as a picture theatre. Outside, Mr Stick intends to provide a children's play-ing-area and, later, a swim-ming-pool. The building is on the Glencoe fan. on the near side of the Glencoe stream as one approaches the Hermitage. Mr Stick has already built several motels on the fan, and has nearly completed a house for himself and his family. The youth hostel, several other motels, a park board shelter for campers and picnickers, and the Mount Cook school are also on the fan.