Suburbs centres for aged costly

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34128, 14 April 1976, Page 12

Suburbs centres for aged costly

The Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council! will have live suburban, recreation centres inChristchurch by the middle of this year, but: it has been an expensive activity. “We will be heading for I bankruptcy unless we get substantial increased assistance from somewhere,” the council’s chairman (Cr P. N. G. Blaxall) said at the annual meeting on Monday. “We are heading for a $75,000 deficit this year.” Last year, an actual deficit of $45,155 was reduced by a $27,000 Golden Kiwi Lottery grant. A year ago, the council had only the New Brighton suburban centre. Suburban branches do not charge senior citizens for their services.

In 1975, new centres were opened in Sumner and Pa-j panui, and two more — in

Matipo Street. Riccarton and North Avon Road — will open this year. Each will cost about $3OOO per year tOi operate. Cr Blaxall said there; were “no prospects in sight" for additional finance, butj council members were hop-! ing for a larger Golden Kiwi grant. Trouble likely “I believe the money should come from the Government and local government,” he said. “We do not. expect substantial financial support from the elderly.” But he added that legacies in the wills of senior citizens would be “a painless way” of showing their appreciation for the council’s work.

The council received $14,728 in seven legacies last year. “We could be in serious trouble this year if we do not get more legacies

or more from the Golden Kiwi," said the finance committee chairman (Mr A. B. Ott). Volunteer community help to the council, such as the conversion of recreation centres, was praised by mem bers. along with the help of periodic detention workers