A retreat and meditation centre may be built near Glenorchy if a resource consent for the Aro Ha Retreat Centre is granted by Lakes Environmental.
The Aro Ha Investment Trust has lodged an application for resource consent to build a retreat-style building to "reinvigorate the connection between nature, wellness and humanities" 4km south of the Glenorchy township.
At the forefront of the Aro Ha Retreat Centre development is Damian Chaparro, of the United States-based Chrysalis Retreats - a company which specialises in "a unique fusion of eastern practices, western modalities, and outdoor adventure".
The Aro Ha website is under reconstruction, but on it the purpose of the new centre is outlined.
"We come here to learn together, to eat together and to propel each other toward truth.
"We believe through creating conscious minds and healthy bodies we can create a balanced world."
Mr Chaparro said he had worked his way down the country from the Coromandel, looking at over 150 properties to find the perfect spot for the retreat centre, and Glenorchy was it.
The centre will cover 5.9ha of land and will host visitors who wish to "enhance the relationship with the surrounding natural landscape".
This will include activities such as yoga, meditation, permaculture, philosophy, massage and dance.
A 14-day programme will be set up for participants, who will be accommodated in the 32-person overnight house.
The centre will include a spa building, three accommodation buildings, a community building (the hub) and the main "Aro Ha room" for meditation and teachings.
The centre would also employ 18 long-term staff, who would live on site throughout the various programmes.
The centre would be set up near the Wyuna preserve subdivision, which is located on the Queenstown-Glenorchy road.
