TRUST PLAN FOR “MONA VALE”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 8

TRUST PLAN FOR “MONA VALE”

Main points of the Christchurch Civic Trust's proposals for the future use of “Mona Vale” are: A Licensed restaurant and dance area. B Boathouse. C Lake for boats. D Restaurant. E Conference and reception Centre. F Lily pond. G Sound reflector. H Open air concert. I Open air dancing. J Coffee bar. K Changing and dressing rooms. L Future pool. M Picnic area. X Entrance. Z Car park.

As people have to live in increasingly crowded cities, with narrower and smaller sections, the expansive luxury of the kind of garden at “Mona Vale” becomes more and more necessary, contend the men who have designed the Christchurch Civic Trust’s proposal for future use of the property (pictured above).

They are the chairman (Mr John Oakley) and Mr P. J. Beaven. In a report to the trust, they said “Mona Vale” was “a unique, beautifully laid out English landscape garden.” A semi-cultural area providing for public participation in various activities including dining, dancing, boating, attending concerts and other entertainment. 7 “The exquisite and peace-

ful surroundings are associated with open air dancing, concerts with the National Orchestra, restaurants, sculpture displays and drama—all this would be perfectly displayed in the ‘Mona Vale’ gardens,” the report said. The report says that the bridges are all in good structural order, but the railings need repair. It is planned to use glasshouses and existing buildings wherever possible in order to keep the existing character of the property, and also to use existing facilities. “The present caretaker thinks the grounds could be brought up to perfect condi-

tion, the lake cleared, the bridges repaired, the glasshouses repaired, dismantled and reused by six men and about £l5OO worth of equipment,” the report continues. This operation would be carried out so as to bring the property up to the standard required for handing over to an operating company. “The total cost of bringing the grounds up to date and shifting buildings, in effect, would be about £7000.”

Improvements listed by Messrs Beaven and Oakley would, they say, give a completely economic unit for well under £20,000.