Campaign to raise $3M starts today

Press, 1 May 1984, Page 9

Campaign to raise $3M starts today

A national campaign to raise $3 million for the national sports training centre at Queen Elizabeth II Park begins today. The fund-raising committee has completed a programme of monthly activities called “Operation Funds and Games” aiming to raise $3 million by December. The estimated cost of the centre is $3.7 million, and a Lottery Board grant of $1 million will make up the difference. The committee plans to let the tender for the first 40-bed accommodation block in June and it is hoped it will be finished by Christmas. Tenders for the sports hall will be let later this year and it is expected

to take about two years to complete. The centre will be the first of several national training centres planned to promote the concept of sport for all and has been endorsed by the Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, and a number of national sporting personalities. Support from a national food chain, an oil company and the Government were also expected, said the chairman of the fund-raising committee, Mr Graeme Brockett, yesterday. The first stage of the campaign is to encourage companies, clubs, associations and individuals to become members of the

centre. Brochures and membership application forms will be available at branches of the Bank of New Zealand throughout the country. From June a number of consumer products will be endorsed with the centre’s symbol and T-shirts bearing the symbol are already for sale at Queen Elizabeth II Park. A national lottery will be organised in July and a national fun run will be held in all centres in August. In September the committee hopes to form a patrons’ club and a national sport for all week-end will be held in November, taking the form of a family carnival at Queen Elizabeth II Park.