Meth ven going ahead

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33791, 13 March 1975, Page 11

Meth ven going ahead

Methven. a thriving farming district in MidCanterbury, is expanding rapidly because cf the development of the Mount Hutt skifiekl.

Since the opening of the skifield land prices have soared. A residential section two and a half years ago cost $lOOO. In 1975 a section costs §5OOO. The Ashburton County Council has extended the town belt to set land aside for future residential expansion. An area has been rezoned for a sewage treatment plant. Several new subdivisions have been approved by the County Council recently, opening up 71 sections for development in the township. The new showgrounds building will cater for visitors . at the camping ground, especially during' the ski-ing season. The hall can also be used for recre-

ational activities by campers.

The block will be a big asset to the district in providing facilities for skiers and tourists as there is a desperate shortage of cheaper accommodation in the town. More than 120 caravans used the showgrounds during the last ski-ing season, when there were no facilities available.

“The showgrounds and the whole of Methven have benefited from the development of the Mount Hutt skifield and the traffic and business it has created.” said Mr J. W. Marshall, president of the A. and P. association. “There is an air of progress and greater confidence around Methven,” he said.

Shops in the town are being given a face lift. One property developer has built a block of shops worth $98,000 in Methven Square. The block includes a dairy, ski shop, a hair-

dressing salon, and a licensed restaurant. The Ashburton County Council has set aside a commercial street in the middle of the town for commerical development. A haberdashery has been built on one section and three other shops will be built. Two blocks of motels are being built along with seven new houses in the, town. An existing house is being altered and an application has been made to; the council to change it to: a boarding house.