The Covid-19 alert level 2 announcement on Sunday (February 14) has caused organisers to review this week’s Challenge Wanaka festival but, as of today (Tuesday February 16) the Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka event will continue as planned. 

Challenge Wanaka media and marketing manager Sophie Luther said organisers have been assessing the situation and working through scenarios of what will happen if the alert level 2 restrictions extend beyond Wednesday and a decision has been made to carry on preparing the event site for the festival.

“[However] ...if the Southern Lakes region is still in level 2 on the event days, we will not be able to host the athletes due to the size of our event and for the safety of our community,” she said. 

With almost 2,000 athletes and hundreds of supporters, volunteers and event personnel involved, the 15th Challenge Wanaka festival would not be able to proceed under the limitations of only 100 people at any gathering in accordance with level 2 restrictions, Sophie said.

“We will be reassessing our decision as the government provides more clarity over the coming days and will keep everyone informed.”  

Challenge Wanaka’s website homepage here and its social media channels will be kept updated. 

Road closures

As part of the preparations an electronic notice board on Aspiring Road is already in place advising motorists of the pending road closures between Glendhu Bay and Treble Cone for the events.

Sophie said those residents and business operators who will be affected were provided advance notice of the closures several months ago and have been supplied with vehicle access passes which give them prioritised access. 

Delays are anticipated for all traffic using that segment of Mt Aspiring Road and the Motatapu Road from Thursday (February 18) through Saturday (February 20). Pilot vehicles will be deployed on Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning to guide traffic through.

Any questions about the road closures or to arrange piloting should be directed to Trev Page, STMS ([email protected]) or Cass Harvey, operations director ([email protected]).

PHOTO: Supplied