Historic boat shed, ticket office call

The historic ticket office building looks better after a few days' work tidying up the site and the removal of the second-storey addition.

The Wakatipu Community Maritime Preservation Society (WCMPS) is calling for stories and memories involving a historic boat shed and ticket office buildings, which are being restored.

After 10 years of effort by founders of the WCMPS, repair and conservation work is well under way on the buildings, which sit on the Frankton Walkway, near the proposed marina.

The buildings were scheduled for demolition in 1999 but, with building consent approved and a lease signed with the Queenstown Lakes District Council council, work began on Monday morning.

A Jackie Gillies + Associates conservation plan noted the historical significance of the buildings, with the ticket office built during the 1870s and the Frankton boat shed and slipways dating from 1934-35.

The WCMPS proposed to restore the boat shed and slipway for public use, and operate the ticket office as a cafe and "interpretation centre, celebrating the [lake's] rich maritime heritage".

Committee member Olivia Porter said the society would very much like to hear from anyone with memories or stories of either building or the area.

"This project is very much about stories and memories and we will have displays and interpretation boards so these can be shared with the community," Ms Porter said.

"We would also love to have any artefacts or items which relate to the history of the buildings and which we can also display."

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said it was an exciting project, which when completed would be a "community asset".

"At no cost to the community or its council, it will bring new value to the reserve area, provide facilities for the community and, especially, highlight and enhance the maritime heritage of the Lakes district," Ms van Uden said.

Without the WCMPS and all those associated with it, the council would not have been able to maintain the buildings, which would have been lost to the district and future generations, she said.

WCMPS chairman Tony Butson said the council's support had enabled the Community Trust of Southland and the Central Lakes Trust, the Lottery Grants Board, First Sovereign Trust, KiwiRail and private parties to contribute the $700,000 of funding needed for the project.

He acknowledged the "crucial and longstanding support" of those who helped the society to realise the project.

Jackie Gillies + Associates surveyor Robin Miller said the project would do more than repair and safeguard two "important historic buildings".

"They are one of the few remaining links to ships like the Antrim, Ben Lomond and Mountaineer ... all of which have helped shape tourism and transportation and the community generally on Lake Wakatipu." The project, expected to be finished in May, is being managed by Triple Star Management, with some Queenstown contractors and trades people volunteering services and materials.