A historic alpine hut in the Rock and Pillar range is closer to being replaced thanks to a 40,000 grant from Otago Community Trust (OCT).

The grant, awarded in the July funding round, will assist in replacing the old Leaning Lodge hut structure, which has been closed since 2014 because it did not comply with building codes. 

Leaning Lodge Trust (LLT) is working towards a completely new steel-framed prefabricated hut for the site.

A vision for the new alpine hut is to have online booking like other mountain huts in New Zealand

Leaning Lodge Trust spokesperson Phillip Lindsay said over the past three years LLT has undertaken extensive work to design a new hut that will meet Department of Conservation (DOC) back-country-hut standards and its site lease conditions, ultimately ensuring it becomes included in a hut booking system.

LLT spokesperson Philiip Lindsay is a keen tramper and cross country skier

“The new building will meet the extremes of the harsh and challenging surroundings, while providing the adventurous with recreational, research and educational access to unique and diverse alpine terrain.

“It will comprise an entrance foyer, kitchen and dining facilities, 10 bunks and a deck looking over the Strath Taieri valley.”

Phillip said LLT is still in the fund-raising process but having secured the $40,000 grant from OCT, together with the $115,000 the committee has worked hard to raise to date, it is in an excellent position to fundraise for the final amount required to advance the project.

OCT chair Diccon Sim said the trust is pleased to provide LLT funding support to ensure the unique alpine environment can be enjoyed by a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts.

OCT has provided funding of over $405,000 in support of a range of community projects in July. Several successful applications for funding were for initiatives to upgrade outdoor education and mountaineering facilities. 

The July funding round also saw the Otago Outdoor Education Trust receive support for an upgrade of its outdoor education camp facility in Bannockburn. A $25,000 grant will assist with the cost of upgrading the camp’s bunkrooms, specifically the double glazing, exterior cladding, interior wall insulation and new flooring coverings.

Other Central organisations ro receive funding were; Roxburgh Pool ($85,000), Alexandra Mens Shed Trust ($5,000), Clyde Bowling Club ($5,000) and Cromwell Museum Trust ($2,000).

In total Otago Community Trust approved $405,803 to 25 organisations in July 2022.

For more about LLT see: their website, or their give a little page.