Upgrades to a space where schools, community groups and holidaymakers have collided with seaside charm since the 1970s are taking shape at Mārahau Outdoor Education Centre.
The centre is being renovated into “a 21st‑century camping facility”, thanks to community donations, grants and tradespeople who have pitched in.
Don McLean, who manages the not‑for‑profit trust that operates the centre, says even last year’s severe weather events, which isolated Mārahau, did not throw a spanner in the works, with a $200,000 spruce‑up of the larger dorm completed late last year.
Mitre 10 MEGA Nelson staff, with their Helping Hands programme hats on, along with Norriss Building, completed a large deck, upgraded the fire pit area, installed a fixed roof, painted bathrooms and trimmed trees last week.
Don says the work is helping the centre better match its idyllic surroundings.
“We needed to get [the centre] to a better standard, we were getting to a point where things were getting too run down and when things get to a certain point, people don't respect things quite so well,” he says.
“But if it looks good, they look after it, and I think that's what we needed to do.”
Upgrades to the smaller dorms and shower blocks are up next, expected to cost about $100,000 and $50,000 respectively, plus new locks and a drying room for wet gear.
“Close to $200,000 is probably still needed to get things up to where they need to be… so any money we can raise, any grants are all really valued.”
Mitre 10 MEGA Nelson chief executive Brandon Beveridge says supporting the project alongside his staff and Norriss Building was “a no brainer”.
“It’s an awesome project, some of the best days I've ever had have been days like this, when you come in with the team and just get shit done,” he says.
