Council supports ski area trust - Nod from former PM
Tuesday 14 September 2010, 11:21AM
By Queenstown Lakes District Council
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The Queenstown Lakes District Council has ‘kick started’ a major fundraising campaign to buy the Cardrona snow farm and cross skiing area – a move supported by a former Prime Minister, QLDC community services general manager Paul Wilson said.
“The Council first flagged its intentions to agree to attempt to secure public access to the Pisa Cross Country Ski Area, in the 10-Year-Plan, after it received submissions on the matter from the Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust,” Mr Wilson said. The Trust was formed in 2008 in response to the pending sale of the area.
“The Council sees this as an important asset and a key attraction for the district both in winter and potentially summer. Working with the Trust to secure the land would secure an outstanding public recreation reserve and bring recreational and economic benefits to the district,” Mr Wilson said.
The land was also critical for the continuation of Nordic sports and for the development of international events such as the Winter Games.
Former Prime Minister and keen cross country skier Helen Clark said she was delighted to hear of the Council’s decision.
“I hope that this vote of confidence by the Council in the purchase of land at the snow farm for public recreation will inspire others to donate for this purpose.
“The Snow Farm’s trails compare well with those to be found anywhere in the world and are a great asset for New Zealand winter sports”, Helen Clark said.”
In August 2009 the Council resolved that contributions available from the Wanaka rural reserve land development contributions of $212,516 should be applied to the acquisition of the Pisa Alpine Recreation Area, he said.
The benefit to the entire district meant the Council was able to commit additional reserve contributions from Queenstown ($57,944) Wakatipu Rural ($22,056) and Wanaka ($120,000), meaning a total commitment of $412,516 towards the acquisition.
“Since that time the Trust has negotiated with the owners of the Snow Farm and have secured a contract to purchase the land,” Mr Wilson said.
The Trust had also been active in seeking additional funding, using the Council ‘kick start’ to attract other public and private funding.
“We really need the community to get behind the fund raising effort,” Mr Wilson said. Offers of support could be made by contacting trustee Peter Soundy 03 442 5430 or email pisa.alpine.trust@gmail.com
On acquisition, the land would be vested in the Queenstown Lakes District under the Reserves Act 1977 and be held in perpetuity for the benefit and enjoyment of the residents of and visitors to the Queenstown Lakes District.
The Council would then enter into a lease with the Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust to manage and operate the reserve consistent with the principles of the Reserves Act.