Christchurch likely Games venue

Press, 15 June 1978, Page 1

Christchurch likely Games venue

By

ROD DEW

New Zealand appears certain to act as host for the 1981 Pacific Conference Games, in spite of an increase in the estimated cost to more than $300,000. It is also now likely that the main two-day track and field international meeting will be held at Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, instead of the original first choice, Auckland. The interim committee set up to consider the proposal was satisfied that New Zealand had the

financial and organisational resources necessary for the Games to be a success, said a member of the committee (Mr Don Mackenzie, of Christchurch) yesterday. A full report has been delivered to the New Zealand association, which is expected to accept the committee’s findings. This probably will be finally confirmed at the annual conference of the association on October 13 in Wellington. New Zealand’s offer to hold the 1981 Games was made at a meeting of the permanent committee of

the Pacific Conference Games in Canberra, last December. The offer was accepted, subject to New Zealand’s being able to finance the Games, which would be the biggest sporting event held in New Zealand outside the Commonwealth and New Zealand Games. The interim committee for the 1981 Games was given six months to produce a firm proposal. It has now done this and the rest is little more than machinery. Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States are in-

eluded in the conference. New Zealand will be expected to meet the full cost of transporting teams of 40 to and from New Zealand. It will be the most expensive enterprise embarked on by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. It had always been a worry to New Zealand that it would one day have to hold the Games if it remained a member of the conference, Mr Mackenzie said. Having accepted the hospitality of Japan, Canada, and Australia for previous Games, New Zealand was con-

cerned about its commitment to take its turn. That worry was now removed. The Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland is still first choice as venue for the main Games meeting. However, before this can be confirmed, Auckland has to provide a warm-up track, adequate seating, and suitable scoreboard arrangements. There was a very strong possibility that the main Games meeting would be held in Christchurch, Mr Mackenzie. “We have the facilities. I see no immediate problem.”