Hukawai Glacier Centre ready to open its doors

Media release for immediate use: Tuesday, 20 February 2007 – 2 pages
 
Hukawai Glacier Centre ready to open its doors
 

The Hukawai Glacier Centre, complete with its 10-metre high indoor ice-climbing wall, will open its doors to the public on 1 March 2007.
 
The centre, at Franz Josef Glacier, will allow visitors to take in the entire Franz Josef Glacier experience under one roof. It also provides the opportunity for ice-climbing in a safe and supervised environment.
 
The ice wall, the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, will allow up to 20 climbers at any one time to replicate what it would be like to climb the actual glacier.
 
“By having the indoor wall we are providing a wonderful environment for people of any climbing ability to fully appreciate what it’s like to climb the glacier without any worry about the elements,” says Hukawai Glacier Centre Founder Jennie O’Loughlin.
 
The ice-climbing chamber will be in the centre of the building, the virtual tour running around it, with floor to ceiling windows so visitors can sit in the café at the centre and watch climbers in action.
 
The glacier experience portion of the centre will begin for visitors in a rainforest, with people then able to examine the features of the glacier up close and personal; they will even be able to go inside a virtual ice cave and a crevasse.
 
“The dangers of ice caves and crevasses are currently quite topical. What the centre offers is a safe way that people can experience what these glacial formations present.”
 
The centre has been several years in the planning, and Ms O’Loughlin says she can’t wait to see the faces of people as they take in the experience of the centre.
 
“Opening day can’t come soon enough as there has been so much interest in the Hukawai Glacier Centre. We’re all really looking forward to seeing the looks of amazement from visitors to the centre, that will make the whole project worthwhile,” she says.
 
ENDS
 

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