Wide range of activities

Press, 14 September 1976, Page 15

Wide range of activities

The Bishopdale Community Centre, possibly the largest of its kind in New Zealand, is equipped to cater for a vastly wider range of activities than anv similar centre. Built at a cost of $500,000 by the Waimairi County Council, it has a two-storey main building covering 14,000 square feet, and a smaller building adding another 3000 square feet of space. Amenities include a kitchen licensed to cater for 250, and toilets and showers with special facilities for paraplegics. The impressive library which occupies almost the entire ground floor was opened to borrowers on September 1. It serves an estimated population of

15,000 within a one-mile radius. Part of the library has been set aside as a lounge area for senior citizens. The smaller building adjacent to the main one will eventually become a central processing unit for the Waimairi county’s libraries. At present it is used as a creche during the school term and for youth activities after school and during holiday periods. Complete with storage, toilets and kitchen facilities, and fully wired for sound, this unit is popular as a drop-in centre for teen-agers on late shopping nights. On the upper floor of the main building is a 2650 sq ft multi-purpose room, equipped with storage space for the indoor sports

clubs and cultural groups which use it. This room may also be booked for social functions. A modern kitchen opposite adjoins three meeting rooms with a total floor space of 1520 sq ft, which can be divided by folding wails. These rooms are in demand for educational courses, hobby groups and meetings. With spacious foyer and reception areas, the main building also provides rooms for public health nurses and counselling services. Since the first groups moved into their new quarters at. the end of April activities at the centre have gathered momentum. The buildings are in full use, catering for a wide range of social, educational and cultural activities, for users from all parts of the county. Some of the activities that go on at the centre are oil painting, language classes, slimming, table tennis, judo, pottery, dress-

making, indoor bowls, Guides, woodcarving, floral art and square dancing. An important service provided there is legal advice. Fifteen Christchurch solicitors make themselves available in a roster system at the centre on Thursday nights from 7.30 p.m. to 9. p.m. in two rooms on the ground floor. The solicitors give up their time voluntarily and if they cannot help the inquirer they refer him to another solicitor with a letter of introduction. All sorts of problems are discussed, including marital relations, criminal and traffic troubles, boundary disputes, estates and wills, and social welfare benefits. The co-ordinate- (Mr A. W. Robinson) says that since the advice centre opened on April 29 there have been five or six inquiries on some nights, one or two on others. But he thinks more business will be generated when the word gets round. AU cases are kept strictly confidential, he said.