Pages Rd home for Chch softball

Press, 17 November 1987, Page 9

Pages Rd home for Chch softball

City Council reporter The smile on the face of the Canterbury Softball Association’s president, Mr Dale Eagar, told the story.

The Christchurch City Council had given permission for a $1.34 million softball complex at Cuthberts Green. “Jubilation,” said the beaming Mr Eagar. “At last.” The council last evening approved the new headquarters for the sport and enclosed diamonds behind Cowles Stadium. The approval ends the search for a home for Canterbury softballers, who had thought that Hansen Park in Opawa was to be their base until residents’ opposition swung the council’s thinking against it. Now the softballers will

be based in Pages Road and hope to have their complex ready for an international women’s tournament in February, 1989. Their financial contribution is $150,000, and one councillor expressed doubts about taking large sums from council reserves and rates for the project. The proposed funding of the project is: • $50,000 from the 1987- budget. • $150,000 from the Softball Association. • $50,000 from the 1988- budget. • $200,00 from revenue sharing.

• $lOO,OOO from the cash in lieu account. • $651,000 from a loan. • $183,000 from the Hillary Commission. Approval to raise the $651,000 loan was passed. Cr David Close queried the use of so much of the cash in lieu account for one project. That source had been milked often for projects, he said. He sought assurances that funding for suburban parks in the city would not suffer. The parks and recreation committee chairman, Cr Clive Cotton, gave that assurance. The softballers had been patient and it

was high time they had a home. Cr Hori Brennan welcomed the development next door to the Nga Hau E Wha Marae. It would be good for the marae, he said. Tenders will be called for the three contracts for the road deviation work and the car-park, the headquarters building and the diamonds. Mr Eagar said the council’s decision justified the hard work and patience of the softballers. Fund-raising would continue for the association to meet its commitments in cash and equipment.