Pitch project ‘would take much time’

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 5

Pitch project ‘would take much time’

Much work and time will be needed to bring the northern area of Hagley Park up to standard, says the Christchurch City Council General Manager and Town Clerk, Mr John Gray. Mr Gray was replying to criticisms of the way an area just north of the Armagh Street gates has been ploughed several times, without grass being sown.

The area had a thick mat of twitch root, which had to be broken up before it could be removed, Mr Gray said.

He also said that it would have been impossible to convert the area into a first-class playing surface by Christmas as had been suggested.

"Even under ideal conditions, considerable time

is needed for fallowing, cultivation, levelling, grading and general preparation of the 50i1..." Mr Gray said. "Beyond this there is an establishment period of two to three years at least before grounds can sustain regular sports use.” This was just one part of the council’s redevelopment of the northern section of the park, Mr Gray said.

“The North Hagley area has been in a very uneven and poor state generally for very many years, and the department believes that the relatively extensive work and time required to bring the area to an acceptable standard will have worth-while long-term benefits,”, he said.