Burnside H.S. seeks subsidy

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34130, 17 April 1976, Page 13

Burnside H.S. seeks subsidy

The Burnside High School Gymnasium Committee wants to know xvhat has happened to a $45,000 subsidy it says was promised for a new gymnasium almost two years ago.

Burnside High School was advised by the then Prime Minister, Mr Norman Kirk, in July, 1974, that, as a special case, it would get an additional subsidy of this amount for its second gymnasium, said the chairman of the committee (Mr B. Hitchon). The school has a roll .of more than 2000, which means the present gymnasium is heavily used during school hours. As well, it is used by the community every week night between 5.0 and 10.0, and during the week-end. Planning for a second gymnasium began in 1974. The estimated cost of the new building was $150,000.

The school went, ahead with plans .on the understanding that the $45,000 subsidy would be available. A debenture scheme was organised, and $35,000 was raised from parents. The Waimarri County Council, recognising the extensive community use of the gymnasium, agreed to provide $20,000 towards the cost.

But on February 9 the school was advised by the Department of Education that the subsidy would be subject to the availability of finance and the importance of the gymnasium in relation to other schools’ needs.

An official request was made by the committee for the subsidy on March 1. N.o reply has been received from the Minister of Education (Mr Gandar).

When plans were submitted to the Ministry of Works for approval in January it asked for several structural changes to be made. These were agreed to but last week the Ministry asked for more alterations to be made.

The committee was beginning to wonder 'if these were stalling tactics, said Mr Hitchon.

However, the committee had decided to tell the engineers to make the second alterations. When these were complete it would write to Mr Gandar asking for a reply to its request for the subsidy, he said.