The fires at the Knoll Ridge Chalet, Waterfall Express and Cat shed Workshop lit on the 13th February have now been confirmed as the work of an arsonist. The photos below illustrate the severity of the fires which destroyed the Chalet and the Cat Shed, the Waterfall Express terminal was saved leaving no permanent damage to the chair lift itself.

 

Unfortunately the Chalet and Cat shed will not be rebuilt in time for the 2009 season, how ever RAL will be fully operational for the up coming season with the scheduled opening date of June 20, snow and weather permitting.

 

Demolition and clean up of the site is well under way, as is the rebuilding to the structural damage to the Waterfall Express unload area.  

 

Inside the return station of the Waterfall Express showing the deformed perspex panels from the intensity of the heat.

 

Most of the external decking destroyed.

 

This image shows what used to be the level one "pizzeria" kiosk. The blackened twisted heap in the center are the chairs and tables fallen through from the upper level.

 

 

 

 

All that remains of the third level deck.

 

 

Tables and chairs still stacked as they were left after the closing of last season.

 

The clean up begins... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twisted and bent RSJ's and steel beams are all that were left of the main structure. 

 

Day 2 and the removal of all unstable overhead structures begins

 

 

 

By the end of the week the entire upper level is cleared

 

Cut, bundled and stropped, ready to be flown out. 

 

 

 

 

This photo shows the burnt out Cat shed. Along with 3 snow groomers, an excavator was also lost.