Expelled engineer worked on resort building

The Skyline building at Bob's Peak. Photo by Gerard O'Brien
The Skyline building at Bob's Peak. Photo by Gerard O'Brien
A disgraced Southland engineer worked on one of Queenstown's most visible attractions - Skyline's restaurant and gondola building at Bob's Peak.

Today's Mountain Scene reveals Tony Major, who was last week expelled from the national professional body, the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (Ipenz), over the 2010 Southland Stadium roof collapse, carried out structural engineering work in a $6 million refurbishment in 1994.

However, Skyline Enterprises chairman Mark Quickfall said the building was safe.

A full structural assessment was carried out in 2000 and, the following year, recommended rock bolting and lateral strengthening work was completed.

''We're confident the building is up to code,'' Mr Quickfall said.

''We've got no concerns.

''We've obviously taken these things very seriously.

''We're not just the owner of that building; we've got buildings in town.''

Last week, Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Adam Feeley revealed a search of its records showed Mr Major possibly had a hand in the engineering of two private buildings in the district.

He refused to name them.

Ipenz warned Mr Major's work might need rechecking after the stadium fiasco and last Friday the council closed Wanaka's pool, another project of Mr Major's, because it did not meet earthquake standards.

 -by David Williams

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