Cuthberts Green to be assessed for softball

Press, 16 September 1986, Page 5

Cuthberts Green to be assessed for softball

Cuthberts Green will be investigated by the Christchurch City Council as headquarters for Canterbury softball. In spite of protestations from the chairman of the parks and recreation committee, Cr John Burn, that Cuthberts Green was not an option, the council called for an in-depth report on the site. Costs of developing a softball area on the green, Christchurch Drainage

Board land, could be as high as $1.04 million, said an interim report from the Director of Parks and Recreation, Mr Neiel Drain. That was too much to ask of softballers in comparison with the costs of developing Hansen Park in Opawa, Cr Burn said. Residents near Hansen Park have objected to its exclusive use for softball. They believe it will cause noise and traffic prob-

lems. Cr Burn and Cr Noala Massey spoke strongly against using Cuthberts Green. The use of the venue was not acceptable, because of cost, to the Canterbury Softball Association, or to the Rangers Football Club, which now uses it. The council decided to approach the board about leasing the land and ten-, ure, and to seek a further report on development and costs.