A centrally-located waterski lane in Lake Wānaka will close for nearly two months over the summer. 

The Roys Bay waterski lane - located in an area popular with swimmers and other lake users across from Pembroke Park - is a ‘high use’ area, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says. 

A proposal by council staff to temporarily close the waterski lane for two weeks over the peak Christmas period was extended at the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board’s (WUCCB) recommendation.

WUCCB chair Simon Telfer said the temporary closure “may be contentious for some people that have always skied from there”.

The decision to temporarily close the lane was based on the harbourmaster’s observations, as well as concerns passed on to him from commercial and recreational users, that there is a high concern for the safety of various users.

“This is largely due to both swimmers and non-powered recreational users significantly increasing along the Ardmore Street waterfront where the ski lane is situated,” Simon said.

“These particular concerns are heightened during the peak summer holiday period.”

The Roys Bay waterski lane will be closed from December 22, 2023, to February 11, 2024.

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith noted that, if the council decided in the future it wanted to make the closure permanent, there would be a public consultation process.

A proposal by QLDC last year to reduce the waterski lane widths at Roys Bay and Glendhu Bay was abandoned after significant public opposition.

PHOTO: Wānaka App