Old power house

Did the lights of Queenstown ever suddenly blink out in 1923? They did. The town’s acetylene gas plant sputtered and failed, plunging Queenstown into darkness. This crisis sparked action. The Old Power House, nestled near the shores of Lake Wakatipu, became the answer. The Old Power House, originally called One Mile Creek Power Station, was commissioned in 1924. It was Queenstown’s first municipal hydro-electric power plant. A reinforced concrete arch dam, a mere 12 meters high but strong, was built in One Mile Creek. This dam diverted water into a penstock, creating a 150-meter hydraulic head that powered a Pelton wheel turbine. The Old Power House wasn’t just a building; it was a beacon of progress. Its official opening on September 18, 1924, was a grand celebration. A procession in fancy dress marched to the powerhouse. The Mayoress ceremoniously switched on the town lights, illuminating Queenstown once more. Over 80 lamps banished the darkness, a testament to the ingenuity of the project’s electrical engineer, Mr. A.P. Aldridge. The Old Power House faithfully served Queenstown until 1966. Eventually, increasing demand led to the addition of a diesel plant in 1937 to handle peak loads. In 1945, the Central Otago Electric Power Board took ownership. The station was decommissioned in 1966, but the headworks found new life as part of Queenstown’s water supply. The Old Power House faced a period of neglect, becoming a target for vandalism and even fire. But the community rallied. A group of heritage enthusiasts, recognizing the historical significance, formed the One Mile Powerhouse Restoration Trust in 2002. Their dedication, supported by the council and heritage organizations, culminated in the complete restoration of the building and its generating equipment in 2005. Today, the Old Power House stands as a proud symbol of Queenstown’s resourceful past. It’s a reminder of a time when innovation brought light back to the town, and community spirit ensured its preservation for future generations.