Grandstand fire ‘a tragedy’

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 6

Grandstand fire ‘a tragedy’

Apart from some equipment stored in a room lined with plasterboard, everything was destroyed by the fire that gutted the Rugby Park grandstand early last Thursday morning, according to Mr M. C. Sullivan.

Mr Sullivan suggested to the Canterbury Rugby Union’s management committee last evening that a special committee be formed to reinstate the grandstand at the park. “It was a great tragedy,” said Mr R. W. Thomas. “It is people involved in sports who will suffer, no-one else.”

The union’s president (Mr B. J. Drake) said that he answered the phone that evening expecting another insulting call.

“I was horrified to hear that the stand had been gutted,” he said. “It was pointless and senseless. Although something may be done for the next football season, it will affect the Toe H athletic club, which uses the ground in the summer season.. They will get the backlash although they have nothing to do with the tour,” Mr Urake paid tribute to the work and backing received from his committee in the Organisation of the test last Saturday, between the All Blacks/ and the Springboks. -.

He also expressed his ap-

preciation to the self-control displayed by the rugby supporters present at the match and to the police for the manner in which they handled assignments. Mr Drake said that it was a sorry state whatever the circumstances when people found it necessary to throw fish hooks on a rugby ground. The High Schoo! Old Boys half-back, Phil Thomas, will replace Bruce Deans in the Canterbury B team to play Otago B in Dunedin today. Two players who were ordered off oh Sunday for striking one another in a match between Canterbury colts and Canterbury under 20, P. Robson (University) and G. Neesdale (Culverden), were stood down for two playing Saturdays.