Urgent meeting on Games venue sought

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 14

Urgent meeting on Games venue sought

The chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (Mr R. S. Scott) is hopeful that the Mayor-elect, Mr N. G. Pickering, will agree to an urgent meeting to discuss fully which venue is the most desirable and economical for the Games and for Christchurch in the future.

“The sooner final plans are settled once and for all, the less affected will be our appeal and fundraising activities, which i in the long term are also! in the interests of thei Christchurch City Council,” Mr Scott said in a statement last evening. “Is it beyond doubt that] the city of Christchurch] really wants to see s4m spent] when a sum nearer s3m may] be sufficient?” he asked. | “Most of the reasons why: the organising committee favoured Porritt Park as the track and field venue still remain valid,” he said. “Those reasons are as follows:

"The location is reasonably central, easily accessible, has potential as an extremely attractive asset and, according to a survey prepared by the Transport Department, would be well served by neighbourhood parking. “The plan prepared by the coordinating architect provides for a more-than-adequate stadium with all the necessary facilities which can definitely be completed for full scale use in October, 1973. It should be noted that a full brief has already been prepared involving hundreds of hours of work and covering all of the various requirements for competition and competitors, communications, assembly, timing, public amenities and administration, news media, scoreboards, ceremonial, and medical.

"The schedule calls for the all-weather track itself to be laid in time for the 1972-73 athletic season. “The immediately adjacent rowing-club rooms and catering facilities provide excellent headquarters for news media staff and officials and save a considerable cost to the organising committee. ’’lt is the site favoured as permanent headquarters by both the Canterbury Hockey Association and the Canterbury Centre, N.Z.A.A.A.

“The Christchurch City Council already has loan finance for development of the site for track and field purposes. “The cost of the development is reasonable and relevant to both its short and long-term use, and a basis of sharing the overall cost has been established between the council and organising committee. INCOMING COUNCIL “The one reason that is no longer valid is that prior to this week-end, Porritt Park was also the choice of the

council of the day, no doubt because of the above factors and because of plans to reconstruct the Centennial Pool. I “I believe it is our responsibility to make these and [other points available to the incoming council and to place all relevant information before [it. “For example, the very fine concept proposed for Queen I Elizabeth II Park would provide facilities that are considerably larger and more I costly than those needed for [Games purposes,” Mr Scott [said. “I must be frank and admit to feeling some deep concern about the time factor for the first time since the organising committee was formed a year ago. bELAY ENVISAGED “I can foresee several causes of possible delay. For example, transferring loan monies if this is possible already approved by the Loans Board for Porritt Park and the Centennial Pool, might prove to be a compli-

; cated and time-consuming > process. “Additional loan monies 1 will need to be applied for and sought on what is pres- • ently a very difficult money 1 market. ■ “The organising committee ■ may be faced with cost in- > creases at Queen Elizabeth II Park extra materials for > communications is only one i such item, and there will be • a greater need for temporary ■ facilities. > “However, if the new coun- : cil is irrevocably set on a t change of direction despite any recommendations to the t contrary, then I would see it i as our responsibility to co- • operate totally with the new . council to the very best oi i our ability. “The Games are very much a co-operative venture requiring active support from 1 many quarters Ute Govern- • ment, national sports associi ations, the University of i Canterbury, the travel indusi try, the commercial sector and : especially Christchurch Met- , ropolitan local bodies,” he ■ said.