Games Application Excludes Shooting

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30973, 1 February 1966, Page 1

Games Application Excludes Shooting

Shooting and archery are not included in Christchurch’s application for the 1970 Commonwealth and Empire Games. A copy of the application was released yesterday by the committee of the Commonwealth and Empire Games Promotion, Canterbury.

The application has been sent to 43 countries for consideration before the conference at Jamaica during the 1966 games.

Nine sports, and two alternatives, are listed in the application. The sports are track and field athletics, swimming and diving, boxing, weight-lifting, fencing, cycling, wrestling, badminton, and bowls. Rowing and gymnastics are alternatives.

i To assist it to reach a correct decision the committee obtained information on all the sports, the most important point being the extent of support for each sport among all Commonwealth countries. The committee also considered potential spectator appeal, local facilities, and tradition. Mr R. S. Scott, chairman of the publicity sub-commit-tee, yesterday gave several reasons for not including archery and shooting. “Because of an inadequate site the archery would have to be held at two venues,” he said. “Also, it lacks sufficient spectator appeal. “With the shooting there is the difficulty of a site and also the rather restrictive laws related to the importing of firearms, particularly pistols. There is again, too, a lack of spectator appeal.” Mr Scott said the English Park track was first class, but would need to be reduced from 475 yards to 440 yards. The City Council aiready had plans to relay the track and improve the stands. “HARD DECISION” The decision on rowing, suggested as an alternative sport, was a particularly hard one to make, said Mr Scott. “It is fair to say that more on the committee supported rowing than any other sport, but it does not receive support from enough countries. We realise the support for it in New Zealand, and we realise that it might cost New Zealand several gold medals.”

Four heated pools would be available for swimming training, including the Centennial Pool for diving; and there would be a pool at Lancaster Park for competition, with covered seating for 8000 spectators. The pool would be 55 yards long and eight lanes, each Bft wide.

“If the 1970 games have to be held over metric distances we will need a new pool anyway,” said Mr Scott. “We must have covered seating for 5000 spectators, and it would take £250,000 to improve the Centennial Pool.” SUGGESTED VENUES

The venues put forward for the sports are:— Athletics. The new stadium at Queen Elizabeth II Park is at present being developed by the Christchurch City Council. It will hold 40,000 spectators, and have 8000 covered seats, the largest attendance at any

post-war games having been 35,496. The stadium will have eight lanes, with extensive warm-up facilities, and an electrically-operated results board.

Badminton Or Gymnastics. —These are alternative sports and could both be held at the chosen venue, Cowles Stadium.

Boxing.—This would be held at Canterbury Court. It can now seat 3500. but by 1970 would seat 5000.

Bowling.— The recent national bowls tournament, which drew more than 1000 bowlers, showed that Christchurch has sufficient greens for the games, although the greens are scattered. .

Cycling.—English Park has accommodation for more than 10,000 spectators, but the present track, 475 yards long, will be reduced to 440 yards. Rowing.—Lake Forsyth, a completely enclosed salt-water lake 29 miles from Christchurch. has unlimited room for spectators. Fencing.—There is room for four or six pistes, with a separate hall for warming up, at the Horticultural Hall. Swimming.—The diving would be at the Centennial Pool and the swimming at Lancaster Park.

Weight - Lifting. This would be held at the Civic Theatre, with indoor seating for 1200 spectators. Wrestling. The King

Edward Barracks has seating for 2400 spectators and was used for most of the major events at the Pan Pacific Arts Festival in 1965. “I think there will have to be other, non-sporting attractions as well," said Mr Scott. “We have several ideas in mind, such as an arts festival. We would also like to organise a Commonwealth youth gathering. COST UNCERTAIN “It is hard to say exactly what the games would cost, and I do not know if it is wise to say at this stage,” said Mr A. 1. Cottrell, general chairman of the promotion committee.

“The games will be underwritten by the Christchurch City Council, which was required to create Queen Elizabeth 11 Park, a massive undertaking for which we might otherwise have waited years. If the games are allocated to us we are anxious that it

should not just be a Christchurch effort

“We expect that accommodation for all the visitors should be just about right by 1970." said Mr Cottrell. “This could be one of the greatest things ever to happen to Christchurch.” he said. “I am sure Christchurch can do it and do it well. There is still an immense amount of work to be done, although an immense amount has already been done. “We are very hopeful." 32-PAGE APPLICATION The application is set out in 32 pages. Twenty coloured photographs of New Zealand are on the hard covers.

The 13 questions asked by the British Empire Games Federation are all answered, and there is a full appendix with details and photographs of the intended venues for each sport. A second appendix lists all those who have been responsible for promoting the games.