Sewer installation may disrupt playing fields

Press, 7 August 1985, Page 9

Sewer installation may disrupt playing fields

Possible disruption from installing a sewer in South Hagley Park concerns the Christchurch City Council’s parks and recreation committee. Work on laying the sewer could put playing fields in the area out of action for up to three years, according to the Director of Parks and Recreation, Mr N. W. Drain. The Christchurch Drainage Board intends laying the gravity sewer to meet increased outfall capacity. It is the most “cost-effec-tive” of three options. Councillors expressed reservations about the plan and the committee’s chairman, Cr John Burn, said it was necessary to balance cost with the public interest. It had to be looked at very carefully, he said. Cr Noala Massey said the loss of any sports field for

any time was a serious matter in a city that was “desperately short” of sports grounds. The length of time spent by the board’s contractors on some work also came under fire. Cr Mollie Clark said it appeared some contractors “just about take up residence on some jobs,” and urged the committee not to “melt under the board’s quest for cost-effective-ness.” The committee was asked by Cr David Close to endeavour to assist the Drainage Board. “We do have very good co-operation with them,” he said. Better justification for the plan is being sought by the committee. It was recommended that a sub-committee be set up to meet the board and that

every effort be made to avoid unnecessary disruption of playing fields. The committee also resolved that the contractor engaged to do the work should be carefully chosen. Recreation area Plans by the Association of Canterbury Youth Groups to use the council’s Sunnyside land for a multi-pur-pose recreational area could conflict with long-term council plans for the land, the committee decided. Representatives of the r group outlined plans for about a third of the land which included setting up a camp site, a pony and BMX track, a walkway, and planting native trees. The area would be used by school and youth groups and also be open to the public. Cr Mollie Clark said the programme was extensive and exciting but was concerned the scheme could pre-empt the council’s development plan for the area. While the development plan was some time off, Cr Burn was concerned that the group’s plans might not

fit in with long-term council plans for the land. “We are receptive to it but would like to tie it in with our own plan,” he said. The cost of an access road into the area, was also a complicating factor, said Cr Burn. Cr Close pointed to the need for more wildernesstype areas. “Scouts are too civilised these days,” he said. The committee recommended that the group draw up a more detailed scheme plan and work with council officers to determine what could be done in the area. Sports seating Christchurch was behind the play in providing seats for spectators at indoor sports centres, said Sir Hamish Hay. The city was losing the hosting of televised national sports events because of this, he said. Basketball’s recent emergence as a highly popular spectator sport highlighted opportunities missed, said Cr Ann Evans. A report investigating the possibility of installing temporary seating at Pioneer Sports Stadium and Cowles Stadium will be made.