Wellington hockey left in lurch

Press, 9 July 1986, Page 42

Wellington hockey left in lurch

Wellington was chosen as the site for the surface ahead of Christchurch. At the time, officials on the Canterbury men’s and women’s associations were piqued with the decision, but now they are probably thankful the vote was in favour of Wellington. Through no fault of its own the Wellington

By

KEVIN TUTTY

When Mount Albert Park, Wellington, was chosen just ,over two years ago as the site for the first artificial hockey surface in New Zealand, players and administrators were rapt Since the surface became operational in late 1984, it has become a millstone around the neck of the Wellington Hockey Association. '

association is being kept poor by loan repayments due for the surface. The Government pledged $500,000 towards the project, but it has contributed only $250,000. Wellington hockey has been left with a loan of $400,000 and a million dollar artificial carpet, without an accompanying facility of any note for spectators or players. The Wellington association is trying gallantly to reduce the debt on the surface and it will not be able to look at the provision of spectator or players’ facilities until

the loan has been reduced to $200,000, according to the chairman of the association, Mr Steve Yates. 1 In the meantime all the funds being raised in Wellington are ■ being poured into servicing the debt. Rentals from the surface, which is used at every possible opportunity, amount to $BO,OOO a year. Mr Yates said that about $60,000 of that is coming from Wellington hockey players who have to pay $3 each time they use the field — that is in addition to their club subscriptions. “Naturally you can imagine players get an-

noyed when they hear that they are not doing enough to meet the cost of the surface,” Mr Yates said.

I Mr Graydon Miskimmin, the chairman of the committee which runs the stadium, said that the Wellington association was a victim of the change of Government in 1984. The Government policy on sports funding changed when Labour won the election and Mr > Miskimmin said the hockey association was a victim of that change. When it was decided to lay an artificial field in Wellington there were two options. One was to lay a cheaper sand-filled surface and the other was to lay a more expensive pitch approved for international tournaments.

At the time New Zealand was compiling a bid for the 1990 men’s World Cup, and so it was decided to lay the more expensive pitch. Without such a pitch New Zealand would not have been able to make a serious application for the World Cup.

the initial cost of the surface was estimated at $1 million and Mr Miskimmin said the understanding was that the cost would be split three ways. Half would come from a Government grant, and the Wellington City Council

and the hockey association would each contribute a quarter of the cost.

There are tentative plans for the future development of Mount Albert Park in Newtown, and they involve a joint venture with another sport, which Mr Miskimmin was reluctant to name.

Until the debt on the field is reduced though, the Wellington association, according to Mr Miskimmin, “will continue to pay the penalty for putting down an International standard field.”

“We have no tangible support from associations. We understand . that, because some of them are busy fund-rais-ing for their own surfaces.”

Until Wellington is able to erect a permanent structure it will rely on temporary facilities for important games at the ground. When it hosts the three-nation series with Australia and Argentina early next month it will have temporary seating and changing facilities for players.

At some time in the future Wellington Intends to hold a major international tournament, but that will remain a dream until it can reduce the burden it has been left by the Government paying only half the grant promised.