The deal includes the adjoining 3ha of land, with the takeover planned for the end of next month.
Mr Dippie confirmed the deal, when contacted in Cambodia yesterday by the Otago Daily Times.
Willowridge Developments Ltd had yet to firm up plans for the site but was keen to consider expressions of interest to lease or buy the climbing centre, he said.
One thought was to include the land with the neighbouring development, while BaseCamp could be subdivided on to its own lot and leased or sold.
"Ultimately, Willowridge would like to see it retained as a community facility so we will be looking at expres-sions of interest to lease or buy . . . I would like to see it retained. It is popular with kids and my kids love it," Mr Dippie said.
Willowridge Developments is building a 48-lot subdivision next to BaseCamp, on about 8ha of land purchased from former owner Stewart Blennerhassett and three other parties recently.
The consented development includes a large reserve and the lots range in size between 4875sq m and 700sq m.
The owner Crofters Rook Holdings, directed by Mr Blennerhassett, successfully tendered $3.1 million for the building in August last year after BaseCamp Ltd was placed into receivership with debts of more than $4.1 million.
The facility was built in 2006 and opened for the Oceania Sports Climbing Championships.
Mr Blennerhassett said yesterday, when contacted, he was thrilled a local group had purchased the facility.
He declined to discuss the details or the price.
Mr Dippie is in Cambodia to work on an aid project, building a large dam and water supply system for a small village in the north of the country.
His company has also undertaken developments at Meadowstone (Wanaka), Timsfield (Lake Hawea) and at Clyde and is involved in other community infrastructure and development projects around Wanaka.
