Modernisation plans for Square restrooms

Press, 26 February 1986, Page 9

Modernisation plans for Square restrooms

Cathedral Square creche and restrooms will be replaced or substantially improved during the next four years. The City Architect and Director of Housing and Property will report on the feasibility of redeveloping the present site, and the possibility of joint redevelopment with neighbouring property owners.

Provision for initial design work will be included in the 1986-87 council estimates.

The chairman of the council’s community health and services committee, Cr Rex Lester, said that the existing building did not meet modem standards. Improvement was urgent, and 1990 was the latest date that work should be finished.

It was wrong that tourists should have to queue because of a shortage of toilets, he said. The parcels office, senior citizens’ room, and feeding room will be retained in new plans for the building.

It was estimated that the building could last only another five years without substantial maintenance.

Space was limited in the restrooms, and cleaning the building was often difficult, said a report by council staff. ■% Addington meeting Councillors will meet members of the Addington Neighbourhood Group to discuss the lack of community facilities in the area. The chairman of the group, Ms Barbara Martindale, said Addington lacked facilities taken for granted in other parts of Christchurch. A lack of children’s playgrounds meant that some children were playing on busy streets, which was very dangerous. The area lacked street treeplanting, grass verges, and regular gutter-cleaning and footpath maintenance, she said. “We just want the councillors to come to see for themselves and discuss what can be done,” said ! Ms Martindale. Clean air The committee has re-' commended that outdoor) rubbish-burning should be restricted to March, April,

September, and October. The Canterbury United Council, which is co-ordi-nating clean-air zone changes, has recommended that outdoor burning be limited to April and September. Cr Clive Cotton said that limiting burning to two months only was too restrictive. ; The decisions of all 'Christchurch councils will be subject to public objection and the approval of the Minister of Health.

Youth Centre In spite of teething problems and unfavourable publicity, the Youth Centre has extended its hours, has a range of new

activities planned, and a variety of new funding sources available. The council's community adviser, Mr Alistair Graham, said most of the centre’s problems had been sorted out, and raising money to keep viable was the main priority. Staff salaries were the biggest expense and money would be raised through a raffle, appeals to Christchurch businesses, and Government work-scheme grants. The council’s continued support would also be sought, said Mr Graham. After-school and school holiday programmes, and a health and counselling service, are planned.