Canty softball wants permanent base

Press, 14 December 1985, Page 80

Canty softball wants permanent base

The Canterbury Softball Association proposes building a $400,000 centre as part of the development of Hansens Park, an area it wants as its home base. The proposal, in the form of a 23-page submission to the Christchurch City Council, lists two options open to the council and the association for the project. The first would involve the association building a pavilion, leaving the council to construct playing diamonds and other facilities, costing about $llO,OOO. This cost would be reduced to around $BO,OOO should moneys be obtained from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The associa-

tion’s input, with similar assistance, would be about $220,000. The association hopes to raise only $19,000 through loan finance for the project, the rest coming from funds currently available, tournament profits over the next few seasons, and sponsorship, gifts and fund-raising. The second option would involve the council retaining ownership of the buildings and the association booking its use as it does with present council facilities. "Should this option be adopted, the association’s input would be less as it’s recognised gate percentages and hire charges would be made to the council,” says

the submission. The association’s input would then be about $150,000, it is envisaged. The development of the centre itself would take place in two stages, says the submission. The first would involve the establishing of playing diamonds, drainage, fencing, landscaping and car-parking facilities. Once these were established the pavilion would be constructed, including changing rooms, storage facilities, toilets, shop facilities and a first aid room. The second floor would have a kitchen, bar, meeting room, social area and a flat. The occupants of the flat

would look after maintenance of the building in return for free accommodation.

The association is seeking a permanent home largely because of problems encountered in staging large tournaments in Christchurch and also to bring it in line with other main sports that have their own facilities. Softball tournaments are “purchased” from the New Zealand body and can cost upwards of $lO,OOO. Because of a lack of any distinctive softball facility, it is difficult to recoup money at the gate for such tournaments, costs having to be borne elsewhere. Problems associated with

the association also having to dismantle fencing and reerect it at Porritt Park, where it currently holds any top tournaments, are also frequent as is the added disruption to other sports. A future problem may arise with the use of Porritt Park should the Canterbury Hockey Association elect to construct an artificial surface there. Should that arise, the softball association will be unable to utilise the park for either tournament or regular club play. The submission may go before the February or March meeting of the council’s parks and recreation department.