Fine New Facilities At Chester Street

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30082, 16 March 1963, Page 9

Fine New Facilities At Chester Street

YVTTH the completion of ’’ the extension at Chester street next month, the Christchurch Squash Rackets Club will have a centre equal to the finest in the South Island a>nd up to the best standards of the leading North Island clubs. Four courts—three at Chester street—will be available to members, as well as greatly improved lounge, gaMeiy, and dressing room facilities. The game of squash in Christchurch and New Zealand has progressed rapidly since the Christchurch club was formed in 1957, and at the cost of £lO,OOO built

two new courts at 182 Chester street in 1960. In 1962 the membership was closed at 250 and a waiting list opened. Since then it has become obvious that further facilities were needed to cope with increasing numbers keen to play an indoor game which not only offers the ideal means of reaching peak physical condition for sportsmen in other fields, but in recent years has become a major sport in its own right.

Now a drive for 150 new members is proving outstandingly successful, and with 400 members —a figure at which the lists will again be closed Christchurch club will be the largest in the country. The third court at Chester street will become the new No. 1 court and will be used for all championship finals. It will be the only court in the South Island with viewing windows at the rear and the floor will be of improved structure designed to deaden noise and provide the best possible playing surface.

The court will also be , open st one side to allow k side viewing, and with the new gallery providing for , over 40 additional spectators at major events with about 100 seated above the court, the Christchurch club will * set • high standard in providing adequate spectator arrangements; a major and continuous problem for ’ squadh clubs everywhere. The social side of the game has also been well :n catered foe. The new lounge ■> of 33ft x 15ft will be well furnished, and between the ” gallery and lounge will be a long sliding door, which - when open will provide a large floor area. There will also be a new modern kitchen upstairs, while the size of the men's dressing rooms on the ground floor will be almost doubled, incorporating twice the pre- ... /sent showering and toilet facilities. The Christchurch club has worked throughout with the object of completing its new building in good time tor the 1963 New Zealand '■hampio.nships. the annual inter-island mart ch, and the Cousins Shield final all of • which wiki possibly be held here in September. It is , evident that it will easily , succeed in this goal, and the local season should prove to » be quite outstanding. It is ! planned to hoW an invite- , tiion tournament to mark the opening of the new court, and there will be the usual .t extensive programme of tournament and in ter-club play.