STAVELEY RINK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 196, 1 June 1946, Page 4

STAVELEY RINK

COST ESTIMATED AT £7OO GOVERNMENT GRANT SOUGHT Very favourably impressed by a report from the engineer (Mr R. L. Lindsay), the Ashburton County Council yesterday afternoon decided to approach the Government with a view to securing a grant for the construction of an ice-skating rink on council property at Staveley. The total cost is estimated at approximately £7OO, though this does not include the purchase of skates. In accordance with instructions from a previous meeting, the engineer has been inquiring into the proposal, and yesterday he informed councillors that a pond eight chains long and two chains wide could easily be excavated on the council property near the existing buildings. Severe frosts were experienced in the locality, but it was also exposed to the sun for a certain period each day. To check up on these points, a council employee was now engaged in preparing a. record of frosts and sun-hours. The altitude of the site was 140 ft and there was an ampje supply of readily-available water for flooding, added Mr Lindsay. A metalled road ran to within about a chain from the site, though this would require a certain amount of attention. In any event, however, the council had already decided upon metalling about half of the road, so that expense would be considerably curtailed. An area for parking cars was available, and could be prepared at very reasonable cost. Fencing would be required to keep stock out of the pond, and .some building, where visitors could change, would also be necessary. Mr Lindsay suggested that the latter need might be filled by the acquisition of army huts. The engineer added that he had prepared jSreliminary estimates of the cost. Excavation would require about £2OO, leading in of the water £3O, access road metalling £250, preparing the parking area £4O, fencing £SO, huts from the army £IOO and lighting facilities £l5O. This made a total of £B2O, but, as the council was going to do half the metalling, the nett cost could be estimated at about £7OO.

“Would be Very Popular”

In reply to a question, Mr Lindsay stated that he could not attempt to estimate of how many would use such a rink, but it seemed to him that it would be very popular. “I think it would soon have more people than it could possibly hold,” remarked Cr. J, T. Morgan.’ “The area could be extended,” replied the. engineer, to another question.

The County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) pointed out that, under the Physical Welfare and Rcereatioh Act, the Minister was authorised to make grants for the provision of such facilities as skating rinks. If the council so desired, an application for such a grant could be entered.

Mr Lindsay explained further .that the distances from Ashburton were 25 miles to Staveley and 60 miles to Mount Harper. “There has been a good deal of criticism in the papers about the Staveley plan,” pointed out Cr. W. G. Gallagher. “Only from interested parties,” commented Cr. Morgan. “It would be a very valuable asset to the county,” remarked the chairman (Mr M. S. Turton). On the motion of Cr. H. A. McKenzie, seconded by Cr. J. Bland, it was decided to apply to the Government for a grant towards the project. “If it is granted, shall we call a public meeting?” asked the chairman. ‘There would be no need for that — the public are right behind us,” stated Cr. Morgan.

The council, then passed on to other subjects.

Before proceeding with any definite plan at Staveley, an inspection of a possible alternative site at Pudding Hill will be made by Mr Lindsay.