Chch might bid for 1990 Games

Press, 7 August 1978, Page 1

Chch might bid for 1990 Games

I From

ROD DEW

in Edmonton

Christchurch might have the responsibility of staging the fourteenth Commonwealth Games in 12 years time. It would not be inappropriate for Christchurch to offer to be host to the Commonwealth Games in 1990, said the Mayor (Mr H. G. Hay) ir Edmonton yesterday. “I would certainly not lose sight of the prospect that we will stage the Games again in Christchurch. We have got the facilities and there would not be a great capital outlay involved. We also did a pretty good job when we had them,’’ he said. Mr Hay made these

comments after learning that Edinburgh, which staged the Games in 1970, was offering itself for consideration as the venue for 1986. The chairman of the organising committee for the 1970 Games, Sir Herbert Brechin, yesterday confirmed Edinburgh’s interest in the 1986 Games. “We have the facilities and we are prepared to run them. But we are not

going to stand in the way ui anybody else who wants to have them,” Sir Herbert said. Edinburgh has made its offer after initial interest by Northern Ireland was vetoed by the Northern Ireland Government. Looking at Christchurch’s chances of staging another Games in the near future, Mr Hay said that 1986 would be the turn of a country other than one in

the Pacific area. “It would not be appropriate for New Zealand to apply to hold the Games in 1986. I

hope that an African country, such as Kenya, might be able to act as host then. “But Christchurch has the amenities which I hope

will see another Commonwealth Games in the not too distant future.” The only way Christchurch would be interested in organising the 1986 Games was by default, Mr Hay said. After examining the facilities in Edmonton and discovering the huge financial contribution made towards the construction oi facilities by the Federal and provincial governments. Mr Hay agrees with

the comments of Sir Ronald Scott that Christchurch was not treated fairly by the Government of the day when it staged the Games. “I couldn’t agree more. Too much of the cost of facilities for the Christchurch Games fell on the Christchurch community. Two-thirds of the capital cost here has been met by Government money. 1 think we got treated pretty miserably by the Government of the day. What they gave

us was chicken feed," Mr Hay said. ‘‘What was done in Christchurch was done for the benefit of the nation as a whole. It put New Zealand on the world map. Yet loan charges will have to be paid for by future generations of Christchurch people.” Mr Hay said it would probably be “being a little too hopeful" to expect the present Government to correct this unfair situation now.