Development Report On Spencer Park

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31967, 19 April 1969, Page 21

Development Report On Spencer Park

Fees from the Spencer Park camping ground to March 20 this year were $6126 compared with $5370 in the 1967-68 year, and they would have been even higher but for the storms at Easter last year, the Waimairi County Council was told on Thursday evening.

A report on the development of Spencer Park was presented to the council by >the county engineer (Mr A. IJ. W. Lamb). 1 The report said that the installation of more barbecues should mean an increase in controlled barbecue, but more cleaning would be needed which might Justify an increase in the charge. Lighting of the barbecue area and the lavatories was desirable. The provision of good barbecue facilities in the park had assisted in the control of the more unruly elements who had frequented the beach area in past years, Mr Lamb's report said. Extension of the sealed road which ended at the south-west end of the picnic area was essential, and consideration should be given to the modification of the existing irrigation system used at the park, as the irrigation so essential on the sand base was becoming increasingly difficult to carry out. The park's camping area was now almost fully developed, and ultimate extensions into a new area would have to be considered. Each year, more campers were attracted and it was only the develop-! ment of new sites which this! year avoided the necessity of, turning people away Forty-five sites with power were available and 110 sites were not supplied with power. All power-point sites were booked for 12 months before the holidays, and more than 100 requests for points were refused. All points were now booked for the 1969-70

holidays, and there was a waiting list of 16. Previous reports had mentioned the need for a coolroom, and that the washing facilities were inadequate. The present method of refuse disposal was not satisfactory and some other method other than handcovering with sand in a littleused part of the beach would have to be considered. The works and reserves committees' report, recommended that the park report be referred to the estimates committee. Cr G. G. Don had told the committee three other matters should be investigated. These were the provision of extra lavatories in the main picnic ground, a water tap near the new barbecue stand, and the formation of a parks sub-committee to review the needs of all parks in the county.