Play centre at Cheviot

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32568, 30 March 1971, Page 5

Play centre at Cheviot

A new 1100 sq. ft building constructed entirely by voluntary labour was opened officially for the Cheviot Play Centre by Mrs A. G. Long, of the Christchurch Playcentre Association, recently. The new play centre is situated at the intersection of Rolleston, Cadman and Ward streets, cm a reserve vested in the Cheviot Domain Board. The play centre committee entered into an agreement with the domain board in March, 1969, and in March, 1970, with $llOO on hand, efforts to raise money were begun. Timber from trees felled on the reserve, was sold, an auction of donated goods was held and the mother of each play centre pupil was asked to donate $l.

In three months the required $3500 was raised and in June 1970 construction began. The building was completed in February of this year. The design was the result of combined efforts by Mr B. Withell, of Cheviot, the

domain board, and the Christchurch Play Centre Association. The play centre serves 52 children over three sessions a week and is staffed by three trained supervisors assisted by two mothers at each session. Mr R. D. Lovell-Smitii, headmaster of the Cheviot District High School, said the

> education of the child started ! from play centre level and that the responsiiblity of parents in helping with efforts in this direction had a decided effect on the standard of education in general. Mr R. G. Anderson, chairman of the Cheviot County Council, congratulated the centre on the fine effort in erecting the building and Mr W. R. Archibold, chairman of the Cheviot Domain Board, said that the board appreciated the use to which the reserve was being put. The illustration shows the opening of the play centre.