112 | Optimism building in ski town The Under Construction team offer a range of services from complete house builds to alterations and additions, decking and shop fit-outs. Under Construction BUILDING The Central North Island ski town of Ohakune suffered a major setback when Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) announced it had been placed in receivership late last year, with many local businesses fearing the worst, and seeing no way to sustain their income through a cold and unprofitable winter. But this year, assuming all goes well, the south-facing Turoa ski-field and its alpine lifts is on its way to recovery, thanks to local interests under the Pure Turoa label taking up the challenge to get the ski-lifts working again. There’s further work to be done to ensure the business’ viability but the director and owner of local building company Under Construction, Luke Gilberd, is starting to see inquiries for residential builds in the town picking up again, and he’s quietly banking on a positive result from the ski-lift company’s imminent restructuring. Local man Luke has built his business up over the last three years to having a workforce of 11, including office, staff, with active building projects spanning the entire Ruapehu region. Having completed his building apprenticeship in the same town in which he lives and runs his business, Luke is familiar with the ebbs and flows of running a company in a rural, seasonally-based area. “About 60% of our work thus far has been new buildings, not just in Ohakune but further afield in the neighbouring towns of Waiouru, National Park and Raetihi,” Luke says. “New sheds, alterations and smaller jobs are so important for my staff, especially the apprentices who have to learn all aspects of a build, to learn to trouble-shoot and become well-rounded capable builders.” Under Construction offers a range of serT T Hugh de Lacy vices and construction types, from complete house builds to alterations and additions, decking and shop fit-outs. August last year marked the completion of two separate multi-level architecturally designed homes which between them spanned 18 months of construction. “It was a huge undertaking for a fairly young building company,” Luke says. “One of these homes is where Lee Spooner, one of Under Construction’s newly-minted qualified builders, spent a good deal of his time honing his skills and refining his knowledge.” Last year, while still an apprentice, Lee entered the Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year competition, sponsored by Carters, and reached the regional finals, coming away with third prize. “It was a terrific achievement for Lee to start his building career off with,” Luke says. “The region’s somewhat uncertain future sees a lot of plans being kept at bay, and I’ve no real plans for greatly expanding Under Construction by way of staffing numbers. “I reckon the company’s about the right size for the market and the area it serves, though I’d be keen to put my hand up for any midlarge commercial or residential projects that come Ohakune’s way.” And Luke feels confident that the dawning of a hopefully prosperous winter season this year will bring a new wave of much-needed interest in the region – “and, ideally, some potential new clients too,” he says. Contact Dan Bernard - Qualified Tiler P: 027 470 9655 E: bernardtiling@gmail.com Proud to be supporting Under Construction “It was a huge undertaking for a fairly young building company.” With over a decade of extensive experience within the electrical industry, Fahey Electrical is the company you can trust for all your electrical needs. 027 299 4676 www.faheyelectrical.co.nz tommy@faheyelectrical.co.nz
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