Poolies Hut Renovation

Pulling off the old roof

The old AA cabin being transported in from Hamner

Poolies Hut on the St James Cycle Trail had sadly fallen into disrepair in recent years before Christchurch builder Keith Dekkers approached us with an idea to renovate it. The hut was originally built as a small cabin for the AA Motor Camp in Hamner Springs and was relocated to this site on an old Army Quad by Brian Pool, Ted Kumeroa and Ian Lunn. The hut is an important safety shelter for the track if coming in from the Saddle Spur Bridge end. If the Edwards River is in flood it may not be possible to reach Scotties Hut and cycling back to Poolies is the best option.

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Keith has pulled together a number of volunteers to help him out over multiple trips in the past couple of years and the project is nearly completed. So far the project has involved pulling out the rotten interior linings, replacing the windows, re-roofing the hut, and fitting new bunks and benches. The hut now has a water tank fitted near the new deck as well as new bike racks next to the hut.

Interior before the renovation

Six new bunks fitted