New play centre planned

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32861, 9 March 1972, Page 6

New play centre planned

Plans for a play centre in Lansdowne Terrace, to cater for a rapidly developing area of Cashmere, are under way. A public meeting to convene an interim Play Centre .Association committee will be held this evening.

A group of interested women, led by Mrs J. R. Samuels, has begun moves for a play centre. “The kindergarten in this area had a long waiting list. Mothers became concerned, and knowing I was involved with the Play Centre Association, they contacted me,” said Mrs Samuels yesterday. She suggested getting together a gathering of four mothers with pre-school children — and 16 women with 21 children arrived at the first meeting, last July. The group made a survey of the Hollis Avenue reserve area. They found there were 66 children under two years and a half and 40 children more than two years and a half whose mothers would like them to attend a play centre in the district. This survey was submitted

to the Heathcote County Council last September. The council decided to buy land in Lansdowne Terrace. “We have received a letter from the council telling us of the purchase of land 'for the purpose of erecting a combined play centre-Plun-ket complex’. The type and design of the building has not yet been decided, the letter says, as it may also include some community ammenities,” said Mrs Samuels. A Cashmere doctor will speak on the needs of preschool children at this evening’s meeting, which will be held at 8 p.m. at the Thorrington School. The president of the Canterbury Play Centre Association (Mrs E. Long) will speak about the association, and a representative of the Heathcote County Council will also address the meeting.