Rangiora Parks

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30531, 28 August 1964, Page 10

Rangiora Parks

Sir, —Are Rangiora residents aware that they . are to lose at least one acre of Dudley Park for the Olympicsize swimming pool? This site was confirmed at a recent meeting of the borough council, in spite of two petitions to. preserve “the open expanse of green park,” while other suitable sites are available. One has only to see the crowd of 1000 children who come from Rangiora and surrounding district schools for sports enjoying their games in the park to realise that every acre is precious. If park land is to be sacrificed, would not the fiveacre park extension be a more popular site? As yet undeveloped, it is now to be opened up for 10 basketball courts (approved at the same council meeting.) Our local Hagley would then remain (we hope!) for future activities in the “Hub of North Canterbury.”—Yours, etc., PARKS ARE FOR POSTERITY August 20, 1964.

[Mr R. Ward, Town Clerk of Rangiora, comments as follows:—“The council gave full consideration to all the points raised by your correspondent. and its decision was made having due regard to such aspects of the matter. Ultimately the shelter

trees at present dividing the two areas of the park will be removed and the drain probably piped and the whole area used as a single park. It was with this in mind that shelter belts were planted on the boundaries of the extension, and the same area would thus remain for field sports whether the pool was sited in the main park or in the extension. The area of the main park is 13[ acres and the extension 51 acres (a total of 18} acres) and the use of an acre for the new pool will still leave ample area for field sports. It should be remembered that Rangiora is not quite comparable with Christchurch, as there is open farmland practically everywhere within half a mile of the centre of Rangiora and ample open land is available for further recreation areas when the development of the borough warrants their provision.”]