GARDEN POOL

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27139, 8 September 1953, Page 6

GARDEN POOL

PROJECT AT RICCARTON TRAINING CENTRE

An oramental garden pool is being built in front of the Disabled Servicemen’s Training Centre at Riccarton which will be visited by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they come to Christchurch early next year. It is expected to be completed in about six weeks. So far it has not cost a penny to build. Volunteer workers from various firms and organisations have given up Saturdays to work on the pool. At times there have been up to 12 or 15 on the job. Members of the Riccarton-Fendalton sub-brrnch of the Returned Services’ Association, workmen of the Riccarton Borough Council and Army engineers of ths Southern District Construction Squadron have been among the workers. There have also been private citizens. Materials for the project have also been given or promised. The City Council gave a quantity of flat stone. A flag pole which will rise from the centre of the pool was shaped by a firm of building contractors. A firm has promised a gift of cement and another association is to consider making a contribution of cement. "The only thing we are stuck for is a drip bowl for the top of the rockery,” said Mr A. S./ Rusden, district officer for the Disabled Servicemen’s Re-establishment League. The oval pool, which is 40 feet by 30 feet, will be surrounded by a garden border. A fountain, a bowl and a flagpole will be set on an island rockery in the centre. Fish —mainly goldfish—will be placed in the pool and water plants will be used to ornament it. It is considered that had the pool been built by a contractor the cost would have been up to £5OO. Mr V. Ormandy, who has given much of his time and also materials, and Mr W. Thom, president of the RiccartonFendalton sub-branch of the Returned Services’ Association, have been largely responsible for getting the project under way.