Denton Oval Voted As Games Cycling Venue

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31975, 30 April 1969, Page 14

Denton Oval Voted As Games Cycling Venue

After considerable debate, the Canterbury Cycling Centre last evening, overwhelmingly recommended Denton O' al as the venue for the track cycling should the 1974 Commonwealth Games be held in Christchurch.

This was in direct opposition to the recommendation made by the Commonwealth Games Promotion (Canterbury), which was represented by Mr H. Litolff, at the annual meeting of the centre last evening.

Mr Litolff said the society had recommended English Park, the home of track cycling in the province as the venue because the Christchurch City Council had longterm plans for the park and had already improved the facilities. “I have been told it is impossible to shorten Denton Oval to the games specifications but a temporary track could be built round the existing one at English Park.” he said. (The track would have to be reduced from 440 yards to 333 metres). “The Christchurch City Council has under-written the games for $250,000,” he said. “It feels that the games should be held in some part of the area it owns.” Second Permanent Track “The costs are neither one thing or another in respect of the venues," said Mr W. S.' Williams. Mr G. Tabak said that if Denton Oval was shortened —| he was advised it could be—| there would be another per-i manent track for the city, hut| if English Park was used the city would be no better off after the temporary section had been removed. “I feel that our future lies with the Paparua County Council and Denton Oval,”

said Mr Johnston. “The Christchurch City Council has not done a great deal for English Park over the years.” “I vote for Denton Oval,” said the president (Mr A. J. Hall). “We would then have two parks with tights and general facilities.”

The Commonwealth Games Promotion and the Paparua County Council will be informed of the centre’s recommendation. t-ack Of Finance The centre is not in a very satisfactory position financially, and a lot of thought must be given to some fund raising in the Immediate future." said Mr Hall, in his annual report. The centre's Income and expenditure account for the year ending March 31. 1969 showed an excess of expenditure of

This was more than SIS 9 up on the previous year's figures. "If the centre is not prepared to help in the fund-raising schemes we will have to levy the clubs again, to get us out of the red." said Mr Hall. "The Canterbury track cycling committee ran a very successful raffle during the season, without which we would

have been in a very sorry state indeed. ’’ $2OO Donated In expectation of a travelling trust fund being formed, the Westport club donated 3300 to the centre. A remit from the Papanui club proposed that the fund be established, but because the club's remits had not been circulated before the meeting, no action was taken. The Westport club's secretarv (Mr F. Baumber) said the donation had been made subject to the fund being established. "This is a wonderful effort by a small club." said Mr Hall ’ The centre will not be asked to make a decision on this remit until its June meeting. National Championships.— The centre will apply to hold the 1970 New Zealand track and road championships at the Wai kari circuit.

Officers elected: president. Mr A. J. Hall; secretary-treasurer, Mr G. I. Gunn: minute secretan Mrs P. A. Cropp; referee. Mr R. D. Mann; assistant referee. ' R. Harrison: race secretary, Mr B. E. Dawe: handicapper. Mr Dawe; chief time keeper. Mr J. Hogan; chief judge. Mr J. Reddock: selectors. Messrs Dawe. Mann and D. Wapp. delegates to Christchurch track cycling committee. Messrs H. Litolff. Dawe, W. 8. Williams, Wapp. Mann and A. Day: resident delegates to national council of New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association. Messrs R. Carruthers and C. G. Clark.