MONICA PARK

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25086, 18 January 1947, Page 4

MONICA PARK

KUGBY LEAGUE’S CONTRACT A lease to take over Monica Park at the end of January has been signed by the Canterbury Rugby League, which intends to' use the ground as a permanent headquarters. The secretary to the League, Mr G. E. Falgar. said yesterday that under the terms of the contract the ground has to be bought within five years, and the purchase would be completed shortly. The price mentioned was about £5OOO. The entire surface of the ground had been levelled, Mr Falgar said, and after it had been top-dressed, the main ground would be ready for use, probably by the middle of the coming season. The campers who have been using the ground in recent years have been instructed to leave by the and of the month, and after their departure the main stand would be renovated. A fence is to be built round the main ground, and a line of seats built on the outside. The league is also negotiating for the erection of temporary stands on the side of the ground opposite' the main ground. It is 15 years since the League has had a ground of its own. The game was formerly played at Monica Park, but the ground reverted to the mortgagees about 1932, seven years after it had been opened. There is room in the area for two grounds, Mr Falgar said, and the main ground would run parallel to Ferry road, not at right angles to it, as formerly. The decision to purchase the ground—the name of which would be changed to Athletic Park—had been made as a result of the League’s request for the use of Park for an international match last season being refused. It is expected' that the park will be used for sports meetings on Saturday afternoons in the summer, with greyhound racing in the evenings.