EMPIRE GAMES COST

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 11

EMPIRE GAMES COST

£40,000 Required For Athletics

If the Empire Games are held in Christchurch ft will cost more than £40.000 for the athletics section alone, according to approximate figures given by M. E. Lunn at last evening's meeting of the Canterbury centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Mr Lunn was appointed by the centre to investigate the approximate cost and difficulties involved.

To say exactly what facilities were required in Christchurch to make ft a suitable venue for the Empire Games and to state the cost involved was very difficult, Mr Lunn said. First of all there would be the problem of accommodation, but that was not general to athletics alone. An all-weather track and stadium with seating for 50,000 perrons was essential. Such a track, excluding the seating, would cost up to £20,000. The final cost could not be determined until the position and materials were known.

Seating, both covered and uncovered, would involve a very high expenditure. An alternative would be to construct a cinder track at Lancaster Park and remove it after the games. However, that would also cost £20,000. As well as the main track, a second all-weather track would be required for training. That would cost a further £20,000. A third track, for warming-up purposes, would be required in the main stadium.

Additional equipment would be required, but not a great deal. The cost would be well under £5OO, Mr Lunn Mid. Mr Lunn’s findings will be reported to the Canterbury Progress League. Rugby Park

Rugby Park was in "a pretty sorry state,” Mr C. C. Gordon, who is the athletics groundsman M the park, told members. “I would like to see some money spent on good top-dreseing,” he said. The track had never had it as far as he could remember. Athletes were paying subscriptions and were entitled to have a good track to run on. The topdressing would have to be done at the end of the athletics season, but it would not interfere with the playing of Rugby. There were some bad patches along the main straight, and a few hollows around the bends which badly required fixing. Mr Gordon said.

The centre agreed to look into the matter.