Paver upgrade finished in time for snow

Upgrades to the Tuwharetoa St pavers have been complete, just in time for the Taupo Winterfest.

The Taupo Winterfest is on this Saturday on Tuwharetoa St, which has recently finished having its pavers replaced. Some of the original pavers on the street had to be replaced, so the work was undertaken last month in a progressive manner to minimise disturbances to shops and pedestrians.

Despite rain delays, the work undertaken by Fulton Hogan in conjunction with Taupo District Council, was finished within programmed timeframes on June 3rd.

Group Manager, Infrastructure and Parks, Ted Anderson said “Despite having a few frosty days recently, the incidents of pedestrians slipping on icy or wet pavers has diminished significantly since the new pavers have gone down. A big thank you to Roy Menton from Council and to the Fulton Hogan team of contractors on a job well done.”

The paver upgrade comes just in time for the annual Winterfest event, which this year will see loads of fresh snow being dumped onto the street.

The Winterfest, which is organised by Towncentre Taupo, will include the annual Top Team event taking place on Tongariro Domain. Local business teams will compete in a series of tasks to find the overall winner.

“This annual event is great fun for both competitors and spectators,” said Towncentre Taupo Co-ordinator, Kylie Cotter. “The team at the Taupo Events Centre put together the six challenges, and they do an amazing job of creating a fun course that is physically and mentally challenging, as well entertaining!”

Following the Top Team challenge is the Jagermeister Street Party on Tuwharetoa St, which will feature a winter fashion parade, market and food stalls, dancers, entertainers, classic cars and hot rods, and also free movies projected onto the Farmers wall after dark.

“We’re really excited about this new event,” said Ms Cotter. "We've also got lots of braziers outside to help keep everyone warm!"

This year’s event will also feature the Seay’s Snowpark, in the Farmers carpark. Seay’s Earthmovers and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts will be trucking in loads of snow fresh from the mountain and creating a temporary snowpark for partakers to enjoy.

The Top Team challenge will take place from 1-3pm at the Tongariro Domain, and the Jagermeister Street Party will commence on the newly finished Tuwharetoa St at 3pm until 11pm.

The cream coloured pavers that have been removed from Tuwharetoa St are up for tender. Contact council offices if you would like more information or to submit a tender.

For more information on the Taupo Winterfest contact Towncentre Taupo on 377 0104.