Y.H.A. likely to use Rolleston House

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33783, 4 March 1975, Page 18

Y.H.A. likely to use Rolleston House

The Christchurch City Council’s housing and property committee yesterday approved in principle the use of Rolleston House by the Youth Hostel Association but considered the actual leasing of the house would need greater study.

; The Mayor of Christchurch : (Mr H. G. Hay) said he was' 2in favour of such an organ-: -isation as the Y.H.A. using Rolleston House, but sugges-' ted the terms of lease be examined more closely.

2 Most of the committee -agreed to the use of the Zhuuse by the association, •although Cr M. R. Carter questioned tying the property up for 15 years while •Cr J. F. Burn expressed about the leasing • Concern was also expressed about the city’s future car parking requirements and was the suggestion that Ithe Rolleston House site ►JWould provide at least 20. • Cr M D. Batchelor said 'she would much rather the building be retained than demolished and that she would /prefer it to house people than -become a car park. - Under the association's offer the council would be responsible for the cost of insurance while the associa•ltion undertook to spend ;about $20,000 on upgrading ahe building and to repaint ;the exterior every five years. It was estimated by the association that the building ; would cater for 7000 to 8000 ■ persons a year, which at 50c ;a night for the first 5000 occupants and 30c for any '.number in excess of this total, would give the council •an annual rental of about C 53400. • The committee thought the ’YH.A. should pay its share of the rates for the property.

The committee chairman (Cr B. J. Britten) said he did not see why the council should have to bear the rates for that part of the property the association wanted to occupy.