Scout group proposes Mt Pleasant boat ramp

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 9

Scout group proposes Mt Pleasant boat ramp

The Mount Pleasant scout group wants to build a boat store and ramp, for which it has raised $9OOO, on Scott Park, Mount Pleasant. The group, which caters for up to 100 scouts, wants to build a 9m by 9m building behind the Mount Pleasant and Winter Bowling Clubs’ building on the reserve. Mr Denis O’Rourke, the group’s leader, told the Christchurch City Council’s parks and recreation committee yesterday that the group needed access to the water and room for storage of its boats. It could not use the Estuary because congestion about the Mount Pleasant Yacht Club at week-ends made launching the group’s 6m boat difficult. Another ramp at Redcliffs was con-

sidered dangerous because of currents and because it was outside the boating limits imposed on the group. The group’s boats were kept at the top of the hill above the Estuary in an old school building, which was overcrowded, Mr O’Rourke said. The proposed storage area would be behind the bowling club’s rooms and would take up three of the club’s car-parks. Ample parking was available and the ramp would be used by the public, Mr O’Rourke said. No other spot was suitable. Mr O'Rourke said the group, which at present travelled to Lyttelton for its boating, would use the ramp and building about four times a week in summer

and once a week in winter. He said he could not see any conflict with the bowling clubs. The council’s parks director, Mr Neiel Drain, reported that the bowling clubs had expressed conern because of congestion that would result from the sea scouts’ using the area. The bowling clubs, with the Mount Pleasant Yacht Club, leased parts of the reserve. Mr O’Rourke said the scout group was a member of the yacht club but the club did not have sufficient facilities to house the group’s boats. The council will approach the three clubs leasing the reserve to discuss accommodating the scout group there.