MILLBROOK RENOVATIONS SPECTACULAR

By NEVILLE IDOUR

Millbrook Resort never fails to impress. It has done just that yet again at the 2021 World Travel Awards. This time it has won “Oceania’s Leading Hotel 2021” and “New Zealand’s Leading Resort 2021.”

A recent detailed tour of the new $5 -$6 million developments at Millbrook Resort revealed the full extent of the transformation taking place. The Construction Manager on Site Darin Paki Paki said “Work started in March 2021 and involved the removal of the practice putting green and the first tee block. The new putting green of 980 square metres, new tee block and Remarkables first fairway changes were designed by Greg Turner.”

“We have grown all the turf in our nursery so we can bring it in as required rather than grow it from seed which speeds up the process. To cater for this we have had to replace the irrigation system.” There is a stormwater catchment area close to the new putting green which will be grassed and when there is a big rain event it will hold the water then release it through the outlets.

Director of Operations Brian Howie says “ This is really the central staging area for the two courses. With the new Coronet 18 hole course now being open the distance from the village centre to it is much further than to the Remarkables course. Therefore we have ordered 30 new carts which brings our total fleet to 90. The new Cart Barns will accommodate them all and there is a Porters building as well.” There is also a new members check-in area while the public will check in at the revamped Pro Shop which has a new deck.

Paki Paki says “One of the key drivers was safety as the area gets very busy in the roundabout area with buses, cars, carts and pedestrians. The new layout will cater for future growth.”

Along with these it tidies up the entrance and will make it easier for cars and reception check-in as well as for buses to navigate the forecourt area. With the removal of the old cart shed the road past the Pro shop will be widened to a 25 metre tree lined boulevard and this will calm the traffic. A major revamp of the Pro Shop and the men’s and women’s changing rooms is also underway with all having been totally gutted.

The putting green has been expanded to cater for more players with 36 holes available. The new practice area will also be extended. The aim is to have all facilities ready to go by the end of 2021. Anyone who hasn’t been to Millbrook since the work began will surely be mightily impressed when they visit in 2022.

Howie sees Millbrook continuing to evolve in its standard of excellence and improvements. The full Coronet course is open for members only, until the end of 2021. It will open for the public from 3rd January. With the NZ Open being pushed back a month Howie is hopeful we will see an international field in action in March.