The first of many scheduled working bees will take place at the Naseby ice luge this weekend, when volunteers from throughout the area begin enhancing the facility before winter.
After five years of planning, fundraising and hard work, the Naseby luge was built on a section of forested hill above the Maniototo International Curling Rink last year.
New Zealand Olympic Luge Association president Geoff Balme, of Christchurch, spearheaded the project in the hope of expanding Naseby's existing winter sports attractions and developing a hub for such activity within Central Otago.
Mr Balme planned for the luge to be used as a demonstration sport in the New Zealand Winter Games during August, after hosting an ice festival, New Zealand luge championships, and luge learning camps.
A draft programme has been released, indicating the luge will open on June 1, with the first round of Naseby Cup competitions to be held on June 6 and 7.
A Naseby ice festival has yet to be confirmed, although it is pencilled in for July, after which updated camp programmes will cater for beginners and advanced lugers during July's school holidays.
Before winter, about $40,000 will be spent, along with additional sponsorship, on installing and operating a refrigeration system under the track, which will link to the curling rink and keep ice and snow cool for long periods of time.
It will enable the luge to remain open between snowfalls and cooler nights when snow can be made.
Mr Balme said to date more than $160,000 had been raised for the facility, about $130,000 of which had been spent making the track and bringing it up to standard.
