Plans For $2m Improvements

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31764, 22 August 1968, Page 5

Plans For $2m Improvements

"The Press’* Special Service AUCKLAND. A scheme costing about $2 million, planned to make Alexandra Park the showplace of trotting in New Zealand was announced at a function at the course on Tuesday night by the president of the Auckland Trotting Club (Mr R. Lewis).

“Many local bodies and authorities must be consulted, and their approval must be obtained, before we can go ahead.” said Mr Lewis. “But the club does not consider the project beyond its capabilities and feels that it would be a wonderful asset to the city of Auckland and a tremendous step ahead for trotting in the province.”

Mr Lewis said that several points in the scheme had already come to fruition and would be in use at the club's first meeting of the season next month. TIMING CLOCK

A timing clock was being installed. This would be in the middle of the course and would give the public sectional times. Also, the lighting system would be improved markedly. A new sodium vapour type of lighting would give three times the' former illumination.

“This is an expensive type of lighting, but the improvement will be spectacular,” said Mr Lewis. Mr Lewis said the committee felt sure difficulties with quinella betting would be overcome. The club had applied to the Trotting Conference for approval of a scheme and the secretary (Mr J. W. Fair) had had discussions with the Department of Internal Affairs.

Mr Lewis said the admission charges to the inside enclosure had been increased to $l. The charge for the outside enclosure would remain at 20c, with children free. ADMISSION FEES “The charge to the inside enclosure 40 years ago was 50c,” he said. “Taking into consideration the much improved facilities and the depreciation of currency and increased overheads, the increase is very moderate. “When compared with the charges for other forms of night entertainment or sporting fixtures, the price is more than favourable.” Mr Lewis said he wished to emphasise that any increased revenue from gate takings would be spent wholly on improving facilities for the public. Hundreds of thousands of dollars had been spent on upgrading the facilities at Alexandra Park in recent years, and the additional expenditure planned was designed solely to retain the good will of the public.

Stakes this season would be increased by a minimum of $10,400, said Mr Lewis.

“The budget we have prepared concerning stakes is conservative,” said Mr Lewis. “I am confident stakes will be increased throughout the season.”