Early Start Recommended On University Buildings

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29112, 26 January 1960, Page 16

Early Start Recommended On University Buildings

The report of the Committee on New Zealand Universities recommends that the pre-architectural planning and scheduling of the University of Canterbury’s' arts building, library, registry and administration blocks at the Riccarton site, and a teaching and laboratory block at Canterbury Agricultural College, be commenced forthwith.

“The University of Canterbury faces all the problems of rebuilding the University on its new site at Riccarton,” says the committee. “During the last few years only minor works have been undertaken—a few house properties have been bought, an extension to the registry has been built, and new premises made available for the school of fine arts at Riccarton.

“The first major building at Riccarton, anew school of engineering is. we understand, due to be completed by the end of 1960, and some consequent rearrangement of the buildings on the city site will give the University some space for expansion of the other faculties that are hard pressed for space. “Plans are at present being prepared for a building to house the whole of the science faculty at Riccarton, but there seems little likelihood of its being ready for occupation before 1966. Consequences of Move

“It is clear to us that the consequences of the original decision to move the University must now be faced and that an acceleration of the rate of building at Riccarton is essential for two reasons.

“In the first place, Canterbury must have more teaching space, and it must have it more rapidly than it is now getting it, if it is to cope with the increased enrolments that are expected. “In the second place, while the process of moving a whole university to a new site can proceed piecemeal in its early stages, a point is reached when what might be called the centre of gravity of the institution moves to the new site and, at that point, new accommodation is required for several activities simultaneously—teach-

ing, administration, library, students’ union, and refectory. “It seems to us that Canterbury will soon be approaching that point. “More specifically, we would urge that authority be given for the planning of the accommodation required at Riccarton for the arts faculty, the library, and the registry as soon as the Grants Committee is satisfied with the University’s detailed proposals, and that authority be given for the calling of tenders. "At the Canterbury Agricultural College a substantial part of the residential accommodation with its associated refectory and other services has been rebuilt and the old permanent buildings remodelled. A number of the teaching facilities have been improved and a new library is at present under construction.

“The most urgent need, however. is for a major teaching block and we understand that the schedule of requirements for this building is under discussion between the college and the Department of Education. We hope that early action will be taken on this project.”