Skyline Rotorua stalwart taking international role

Neville Nicholson is leaving Skyline Rotorua after 27 years, but he is sticking with the wider Skyline Enterprises group to develop the luge concept internationally.

Nicholson came on board to set up the Rotorua operation and Skyline Enterprises chief executive Jeff Staniland said the move to general manager of international luge development was designed to capitalise on his start-up skills.

One of the first projects he will be working on is a new luge operation in Calgary, Canada. Work is due to start at the Canada Olympic Park - the site of the Canadian Winter Olympics - in May-June next year, with the ride due to open a year later.

The Rotorua general manager job will go to Bruce Thomasen from November 1. He has been responsible for opening and operating Skyline's luge operations offshore for the past nine years.

Staniland said this was a good opportunity for Tomasen to be based back in New Zealand and further develop his skills.

"We are a growing organisation with aspirations to develop tourism recreation products around the world. The range of opportunities we can now offer our staff means we can retain skilled people and help them achieve their career goals as we expand."

Nicholson said he felt confident leaving the Rotorua site in the hands of Tomasen and assistant general manager Andrew Jensen.

"Bruce has a long association with Rotorua and the industry. Bruce and Assistant General Manager Andrew Jensen will continue as a team to develop this iconic and outstanding operation for the benefit of all stakeholders."

Skyline Enterprises chairman Ken Matthews acknowledged Nicholson's contribution in Rotorua.

"Neville has contributed much to the development of the luge, Skyline's business and, indeed, tourism in this country during the last quarter of a century and we look forward to his on-going involvement in his new role."