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New Ski Hut For Students

Some students are unaware that the Ski Club is the largest sports club affiliated to the Students' Association, because skiing is a sport in which everyone can participate, not just watch.

The origins and early history of the V.U.W. Ski Club are largely obscure, but it is known that there was a Club of sorts in existence prior to the Second World War and that members ran trips to Ruapehu, staying in whatever accommodation was available.

The Club became an active University sports club in the early 1950's, due to the efforts of Tony Cossham, a present Life-Member. As the story goes, he displayed a notice at the University inviting all those people interested in forming a Club, to bring a flagon and come to his flat for an inaugural meeting and party. Apparently about 400 potential members turned up!

It is well known, that the Club has a comprehensive building programme under way which involves the doubling in size and complete renovation of the lodge at Ruapehu. At the time of writing, the Contractor is a week ahead of schedule and the shell of the new extension is now complete. Under the contract the work is to be completed by May 10, and there is every indication that this date will be met.

Club members are building the water and septic tanks which should be completed in about three weeks. They will also install the bunks and do and painting necessary. This work is expected to be completed by Queen's Birthday weekend.

The new lodge will be habitable and a going concern by the commencement of the ski season, which is something of an achievement, as the first work party was not held until January 12. Since then, there have been work parties every weekend, with an average of twenty members attending.

Finance presented the greatest stumbling block in getting the work underway. However, enthusiastic fund raising by Club members, an original bank balance of $2,500, and the good offices of the V.U.W. Students' Association, have largely overcome the problem.

The Students' Association is advancing a grant/loan of $7,000 and the $5,000 balance of the funds required has been derived from Club funds on hand, current subscriptions and the sale of debentures.

It is to be pointed out that the Club does not own the lodge. The Students' Association is the owner, the Club merely administering the building on their behalf. It is envisaged because of this that when the Club has cleared its debts, excess funds will revert to the Association.

While Club activities since the latter part of last year have been primarily concerned with the building programme, it has not overlooked its main activity, which is skiing. The Club has programmes designed to cater for all types from the complete novice to the serious racer.

Dry ski classes for beginners and fitness classes for racers are held in conjunction with the University Physical Welfare Officer, Mr. Alan Laidler, prior to the commencement of the ski season, and will start early in the second term. Instruction for both beginners and racers is given on the snow during the season and racers are entered in every meeting possible to get them in peak form by August for the New Zealand Universities Ski Tournament.

The Club runs ski trips every weekend through the season and week trips during Study Week and the August holidays. The cost of these trips is kept to a minimum of $8 for a weekend and $20 for a week, prices which include transport, accommodation and food.

The Club is an affiliated member of the New Zealand Ski Association and in keeping with its aims, seeks to raise the standard of skiing by having its members pass the tests as set out by the Technical Committee of the Association. The Club has fully qualified judges, who are capable of administering the junior and intermediate levels of these tests.

The Club is also socially very active. During the academic year several film evenings and illustrated talks are held and the popular Annual Ball. The Ball is to be held in the Student Union Building in June, and, if previous years are any indication, this should be very well attended.