The Arrowtown Camp Ground is on track to re-open in November, Queenstown Lakes District Council parks director Paul Wilson said.

"Work is now well underway on roading layout and services and new cabins are currently being fabricated for installation," Mr Wilson said.

Work on the park area, to be called Jack Reid Park, was also underway. The area would include the realigned rugby field complete with new lighting, car park and irrigation system and new playground, a path network and landscaping.

"New trees have been planted in the surrounding streets and further tree planting will take place in the park and campground next planting season," Mr Wilson said.

The Wellingtonias, protected by QLDC under the District Plan, would be given a new lease of life with council-owned cabins, which are damaging root systems, being removed.

"One downside to the rework of the rugby field was the inability for the design to accommodate two large ponderosa pine trees on the site," Mr Wilson said.

The combination of service issues and impact on the field in terms of frosting and physical space meant that eventually the larger of the two trees would need to be removed.

Meanwhile the new ablutions block would not be started until February.

"This will enable it to be retendered with a more realistic construction timeline," Mr Wilson said.

The camp would still be open for business over the summer with portable toilets and shower facilities to supplement the existing facilities at the northern end of the camp.

"It will be a little bit 'backcountry' this summer but that's obviously preferable to closing the camp down altogether," he said.

ENDS

For more information please contact Paul Wilson 03 441 0499.

By: Sarah