Community centre

Press, 19 February 1987, Page 20

Community centre

Dear Sir,—We read recently in “The Press” that Waimairi District Council was “looking into” the possibility of buying a triangle of land belonging to the university, which has been subdivided prior to sale, on the corner of Waimairi Road and Athol Terrace. Some council members felt that the subdivision would detract from the local environment. A greater threat to the local community environment is presented 30 metres down Waimairi Road where a church hall and grounds are for sale for possible subdivision. The church hall and grounds are used by many local groups of all ages, including Brownies, Weightwatchers, Plunket and Playcentre. There is a pressing need for a community centre in this area of many recent subdivisions. Local Playcentre parents wrote to the Waimairi council last year putting a' case for acquiring the site as a community resource. We have had no reply.—Yours, etc., RUTH ZANKER MARJ MISKELL JILL SWABY ROSE JACKSON Playcentre parents February 8, 1987.

[The Waimairi District Clerk, Mr P. W. Chapple, replies: “It is correct that Mrs Miskell has not as yet had a written reply to her letter on behalf of the Playcentre, but Mrs Zanker has had telephone discussions with a member of the council’s staff and has been acquainted with the current situation. The council was offered the property by the owners last November but after careful consideration declined to purchase it At the same time, the council was made aware that a small number of the present users may have problems relocating their activities and the council’s community activities officer may be able to assist. To date, he has had no approaches for assistance. The question of the purchase of open land for environmental beautification purposes in Waimairi Road is another matter altogether.”]