Almost seven years after Skyline Enterprises Ltd first announced plans to undertake one of the largest redevelopments in Queenstown’s history, the first stage has been officially opened.
In July 2016, Skyline unveiled what was, at that stage, expected to be a two-year project to expand the upper complex at Bob’s Peak, install 35 (now 36) new 10-seater Doppelmayr gondola cabins and construct a new lower terminal building and a new five-storey 449-space carpark, which is now a four-level 400-space park.
However, the initial timeline was stymied by a direct-referral process with the Environment Court, where the carpark issue came to the fore — approval for that was granted in December 2018, and the larger overall development was then approved in February 2019, before initial site work started in 2020.
The old gondola cabins were removed on April 22 — during the nine-week shutdown, new cables and towers were installed before the 10-seaters were extensively tested ahead of carrying their first passengers on Thursday.
On Friday morning, Skyline Enterprises chairman Peter Treacy told about 50 invited guests the $250 million project was the largest investment by Skyline in its history, and possibly one of the biggest tourism investments in New Zealand.
Still to come was the new carpark, expected to be completed about March 2024, and the upper terminal expansion, which would include a wrap-around viewing deck, to be built over two stages.
Mr Treacy gave credit to project manager Naylor Love, Doppelmayr and the Skyline development team for their work on the redevelopment, which was important for both the regional and national tourism offering, and a "fantastic decision" for Queenstown and the country.
"[We’re] looking forward to welcoming people from all over the world to this iconic facility."
Before being presented with a miniature gold bullwheel to celebrate the achievement by Doppelmayr New Zealand chief executive Garreth Hayman, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers congratulated Skyline for continuing to show confidence in Queenstown, particularly through the pandemic, and noted the amount of teamwork and co-ordination to achieve the milestone was "impressive".
