1974 COMMONWEALTH GAMES Committee Estimates Costs Of $2,000,000

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31907, 7 February 1969, Page 12

1974 COMMONWEALTH GAMES Committee Estimates Costs Of $2,000,000

The total cost of holding the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch would be almost $2,000,000, according to a provisional budget approved by the executive of the Commonwealth (iames Promotion (Canterbury) last evening.

This figure includes the spending of $841,000 on permanent capital developments which would remain as assets after the Games.

Presenting the budget, the general secretary (Mr E. H. Williams) said that he had painted the financial picture in the worst possible light There was every possibility that the costs would be much lighter than anticipated. Many details had still to be decided and it could not be considered as a final budget.

ilt would certainly be the (first of many, Mr Williams ( said ( “This budget will be i revised at practically every (meeting of the executive,” the chairman (Mr A. I. (Cottrell) added.

’ Copies of the budget will be sent to all local bodies (concerned and will be (officially presented to them at la meeting of the society on (February 26. A strong move by some members to discuss (the budget in committee and (only release details to the press after it had been sent (to local bodies was defeated (after a lengthy discussion. I However, the meeting (decided not to release the (individual amounts that will (be required from the Govern(ment and local bodies, and to (be obtained from fund- ‘ raising schemes to balance the budget. The total amount (needed from these sources is 5700.000 and this would be shared almost evenly between (the Government, local bodies and fund-raising schemes.

Members felt that it would be unwise to release the individual details as the organisations concerned had not yet been approached on the subject. The anticipated total cost of the games is §1,996,500. Operating costs, which in(elude travel grants, catering, (transport and administration is budgeted at (5809.500. Non-capital im(provements will cost 5436.000. (These would include §300,000 (for the conversion of Lancaster Park into the main (stadium and the laying of an (all-weather track. The cost of returning the park to its (Original condition is also taken into account, although (it is possible that this would not be necessary. A total of $13,000 would be spent on the King Edward Barracks to accommodate the wrestling, §12,800 on modifying either English Park or Denton Oval to a 333 yards track for the cycling, and §lO,OOO on adapting Canterbury Court for boxing. §BOO.OOO Swimming Pool Of the permanent capital developments, the main estimated expenditure would be on a new covered swimming pool, to cost $BOO,OOO. A further §2OOO would be spent making the Centennial Pool suitable for diving. It is expected that the Christchurch City Council would pay for the swimming

facilities and also for the alterations to the camber of the English Park track if it is chosen as the cycling venue, estimated at $4OOO. The other main item of capital expenditure is $35,000 on improvements to the Harewood, Yaldhurst and West Melton rifle shooting ranges. This would be shared by the national shooting federation and the Games organising committee. Sources Of Income Mr Williams estimated that the income from ticket sales would amount to $426,350, the main portion coming from the opening and closing ceremonies and the track and field athletics; a total of $255,250. Swimming would be expected to produce $lOO,OOO, diving $BOOO, boxing $22,900, cycling $20,200, wrestling $4400, weight-lift-ing $2400, gymnastics $6400, badminton $2BOO and shooting $4OOO.

No account has been taken of the effect of changed venues for athletics and swimming. Any increased revenue from changing the athletics from Queen Elizabeth II Park to Lancaster Park would be absorbed by the rental payable to the Victory Park Board.

A total of $BO,OOO is expected from sales of concessions, television, programmes and catering. The remainder of the cost would be covered by Government grant, grants from local bodies and fund-raising schemes. The total of $700,000 for these would give a working surplus of $33,350. Not included in the main budget was a “mini” budget covering promotion costs for 1969-70. The total cost of the year’s activities is estimated at $21,700, which includes the repayment of the present overdraft of $l2OO. The society has budgeted to send six persons to Edinburgh next year at a cost of $12,000 and expects to spend $4OOO in Scotland promoting Christchurch as the venue for the 1974 Games.

Mr Cottrell expressed concern over the “rather substantial” overdraft and urged members to increase their efforts on the membership drive. Mr Williams suggested the formation of a special committee for fund-rais-ing schemes. Before the budget was presented, Mr B. Taylor resigned as '•hairman of the finance committee. He was replaced by Mr B. J. Drake.