End of season and members for Manganui Ski Field | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

It has been an up and down season for Manganui Ski Field, and disappointing to say the least.

The current season has been and gone and the field is now officially closed.

There were only three T-bar days with some good days up top. There is no doubt plenty of Taranaki skiers took advantage of the snow on the central plateau because of a less than favourable season on our back door. Junior Stratford Mountain Club (SMC) racers, under coach Christina Binsbergen, and ably assisted by Clive Saleman and parent helpers competed in the various races over the winter. They performed very well and the fine tradition of top racers coming out of SMC continues. SMC secretary for the past three years, Anny Luty, has resigned to take up a position in Switzerland in December.

The current treasurer, Dirk Schmidt-Rittershaus is also resigning as he will be in Europe for most of next season.

Other committee members standing down this year include Mark Braddock who is taking up a position in Melbourne.

Mark has been newsletter and publicity convener for?five years but has also looked after the fire sprinkler system since the completion of the lodge.

Phil Powell, after 12 years as machinery co-coordinator, has finally decided to hand over the reins. Phil took over from Greg Keegan when Greg became vice-resident to Shane Herbert. While Phil will still be around he feels its time to let somebody else gain knowledge on the machinery side "the more people we have in the know the better," he said.

Working bees will begin in February for those who want to enjoy some good weather on the mountain. There is a lot of work to be done on the field, such as safety fence repairs and tower foundation stabilisation. There is also work on the T-bar slope, maintaining waterways, remedial work on eroded areas and a flying fox overhaul.