Christchurch’s Chances For Games ‘Brighter’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30629, 21 December 1964, Page 7

Christchurch’s Chances For Games ‘Brighter’

The chances of Christ- 1 church holding the Common- 1 wealth and Empire Games in ’ the near future were now 1 brighter than ever, Mr H. P. Smith, chairman of the Can- ' terbury promotion committee, said on Friday. Six months ago everyone had hoped that Christchurch would have the facilties by 1970, he said. Now, and mainly through the work and study of the facilities committee under the chairmanship of Mr C. W. Hamman, the committee knew quite definitely that the city would be able to provide first-class facilities for any of the possible sports events. The greatest achievement had been the declared intention of the City Council to build an all-weather track at Queen Elizabeth II Park and to develop the area generally to the required high standard, he said. Work had begun on the project and by next summer the all-weather track would almost certainly be in use.

There had been some comment on the venue of the 1970 Games which suggested that Edinburgh was sure to be chosen, Mr Smith said. Edinburgh had made several unsuccessful applications for the Games, the most recent being in 1966. An inability to provide certain facilities, notably for swimming and rowing, had been the reason for Edinburgh’s repeated failures. It appeared that these problems had not been overcome and might not be solved satisfactorily by 1970. About 40 Commonwealth countries would vote on the issue during the 1966 Games

at Jamaica, and for many reasons, including New Zealand’s high standing within the Commonwealth, this country’s application would have an excellent chance, he said. Auckland Interest Mr Smith said that Auckland had shown interest, but with a marked preference for 1974. In all probability Auckland, unlike Christchurch, would not be ready for the 1970 Games. Irrespective of the year,'it was possible that a New Zealand application nominating Auckland as the host city would not receive full overseas support as that city had already conducted the Games. Dunedin had also shown interest, Mr Smith said. If it appeared that Dunedin could have the strongest case of all New Zealand cities, Christchurch would support it in every possible way. “However, Dunedin is pos- ■ sibly not aware of the com- : prehensive plans we have in 1 hand to develop our sports facilities,” he said. “Frankly

tauuuva, 11c oaiu. riaunij it seems clear to us from the assessments we have made that our case will be immeasurably stronger than that ’ of Dunedin.” An important factor was 1 population, he said. The 1970 ’ population of urban Christ- ' church was estimated at : 300,000, and from that it 1 could be hoped to draw the 1 high attendances necessary ’ to ensure financial success. N.Z. Claim 1 “The most important thing any city must do is to supt port the New Zealand > Olympic and British Empire ■ Games Association in its application for New Zealand,

and then to support that centre which has the strongest claims, no matter whether it is Dunedin, Auckland, Palmerston North or Christchurch,” Mr Smith said. “Obviously we would like to see the games come south for the first time. In any case, we believe Christchurch, on merit, will prove to have the strongest case in terms of facilities, accommodation, accessibility, climate and population. On behalf of Christchurch and all of Canterbury and the South Island we shall continue pressing our claim for 1970 as first preference and 1974 for second preference.”