NEW ALPINE LODGE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30420, 20 April 1964, Page 1

NEW ALPINE LODGE

College Ski Club The alpine lodge in the Craigieburn river valley recently completed by members of the Lincoln College Alpine Ski Club was officially opened by the chairman of the college Council (Mr T. D. J. Holderness) on Saturday afternoon. Mr Holderness, commenting on the “wonderful” setting, high up in' the Craigieburn Forest Park, said he thought that association with the high country did something for character. He looked forward to many generations of students making use of the new facilities. It was 27 years ago that the idea of a mountain hut originated with the students, said the college principal (Dr. M. M. Burns). But with no

money, few club members, and no site, no progress had been made. Now the New Zealand Forest Service had provided the site in one of its alpine villages, and student enthusiasm had done the rest. Mr I. Baker, president of the club, described the activity and enthusiasm which over the last 12 months had resulted in the completion of the lodge which now provided accommodation for • 10. He thanked the college council and the Golden Kiwi lottery for financial assistance and many Christchurch firms for donations in kind. He also thanked Mr H. Yeatmap for designing the building and supervising construction and the students who put in 3000 man-hours .and ’ transported 59 tons of material to the site. There are now nine huts in the valley, where the Craigie- [ burn Ski Club is responsible to the New Zealand Forest ; Service for general supervision. The club manages the ski tows and maintains the private access road Which winds four miles up the valley from the main West Coast road.