NZsnowboard.com

The first stage of Coronet Peak ski area?s redevelopment is progressing quickly, as the base building is rendered a shell of its former self during demolition work.

Just two weeks into a recently-announced 28-week, $20million makeover, the former base building has been almost entirely removed and new foundations will be laid during the next few days.

Hamish McCrostie, Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager, said it was exciting to see so much progress already.

?It?s Coronet Peak, but not as we know it.

?We were able to move the operational staff out in record time, giving us a head start on demolition work. We?re tracking ahead of schedule, which is a great position to be in for what?s going to be an intensive project and a very busy summer,? he said.

?This week we?ll start work on installing our new 138 fully-automated snow guns. Reservoirs will be built to more than double the water capacity from 80 million litres to 175 million.?

Coronet Peak currently has 55 automated and 50 manual snow guns. The new guns will be placed across all main trails.

Roy Lehndorf, Construction Manager for Arrow International, project managers for the redevelopment, said the site of Coronet Peak?s transformation was set to become increasingly busy over the next six months.

?We?re anticipating there will be a pool of around 80-100 tradespeople working here by January 2008, utilising local contractors wherever possible, to meet the demands of the job.

?In the past few days we?ve been letting the heavy machinery do the job of knocking down walls and pulling out the roof structure. Sustainability?s important for us too, so we?re recycling as much of the material as possible, crushing the concrete and re-using it for compacted hard-fill, in addition to careful sorting of demolished material for waste minimisation,? said Mr Lehndorf.

The new base building will be completed in May 2008 and new snowmaking installation finalised in time for the launch of the winter 2008 season.

In Coronet Peak?s most significant redevelopment since its inception in 1947, the snowsports season will be lengthened by offering more skiable terrain from season opening.

Significantly enhanced facilities will deliver a stunning new base building for year-round use.

For more information, please contact media liaison Lisa Nilsen on 03 441 1117 / 021 435 017 / lisa@southernpr.co.nz