Page 13 Advertisements Column 3

Press, 24 September 1988, Page 13

Amphitheatre ■— Victoria Square (North) Fireworks, carol singing, poetry, music and theatre are just some of the potential uses of the amphitheatre now being constructed as part of Victoria Square. After discussions with a number of interested groups, the Council has adopted a concept for the area, which will ensure the greatest use of the amphitheatre for the enjoyment of the people of Christchurch. The amphitheatre, which will seat about 300 people, is to be used for a range of community and commercial activities. These would include theme days, displays, performances, fireworks, festivals and “Summer Times” activities. To encourage maximum use of the amphitheatre, it will be available for community or cultural users for the cost of a small service fee. Need some Help? “Help” is the best place to find information on sporting, recreational and cultural activities, government departments and local authorities. Each year the council produces an edition of “Help”, which lists all local community groups and organisations. The 1988 edition is now available, but only limited numbers remain. You can purchase a copy for $5 from the council offices in Tuam Street, the public library or leading stationery retailers. Lighting riverside walkways Additional lighting will soon be installed on the riverside walkway, between the Antigua boatsheds and Madras Street. The lighting will ensure the Avon Riverbank walkways are all illuminated. The style of lighting will be in keeping with the antique style lamps already in use between Gloucester and Armagh Streets. Flying high in the city Flagpoles will shortly be erected to add colour, interest and a sense of occasion to the inner city. Groups of flagpoles are planned for four sites — the Park Terrace/Kilmore Street corner, the Kilmore/Colombo Street corner, Cathedral Square and the Cashel Mall/Oxford Terrace corner. The sites were chosen to provide viewing from several directions, adding to their over-all effect. Cafe for Cathedral Square? Sitting outside, over a drink or meal, and watching the world go by in Cathedral Square may soon be a reality ... The Christchurch City Council is currently seeking proposals for a restaurant or cafe in the Square. The Council is open to al! suggestions — for example, the restaurant may be licensed or unlicensed, part of an existing building, an extension to it or a new building in its own right,... but preferably with outdoor facilities. If you have a proposal in mind, you have until October 14 to send it in. For further information, contact the Housing and Property Division phone 791-660. Time on your hands? if you are looking for a new hobby, activity or interest — look no further than Pioneer Sports Stadium. More than 90 leisure, recreational and activity programmes, suitable for all age groups, are offered at the stadium, which is administered by the Parks and Recreation Department of the council. During the day, the stadium offers musical aerobics, squash and tennis coaching, yoga, indoor netball and basketball — along with preschool activities for children. Recreational karate, ceramics, Chinese cooking and aerobics for pregnant or post-natal women are new activities held during the day. After school, there is a comprehensive gymnastic programme for children aged up to 13. At nights and week-ends, activities include squash, badminton, yoga, fitness training and musical aerobics. Phone the stadium’s reception 35-676 for further information or a free brochure. Helping finance small business . The Council has approved an investment in CELT (Co-operative Enterprise Loan. Trust), which provides modest amounts of risk capital to enable small businesses to be set up. The one-year investment could help up to 30 projects, which would be supervised by the Employment Resource Centre. The council is already involved in the centre, which provides a wide range of assistance to people wishing to start up their own business. This will enable a number of small business ventures to be given financial assistance to get started this year, with the aid of the council. Easier inner city parking Trying to find a park in the inner city can be frustrating and time consuming — driving from parking building to parking building, only to find them full. A new signage system, to be installed soon, should overcome the problem. Fixed and illuminated signs, on a special “parking building route,” will indicate which parking buildings have space available. The route will cover the Oxford Terrace, Lichfield, Tuam and Cashel Streets, Bedford Row, Manchester and Kilmore Street car parks. Motorists coming into the inner city will be able to follow the route to the nearest building with parking available. Neighbourhood improvement plans Local residents have the opportunity to take part in planning improvements to their neighbourhood. The council has been working on a series of neighbourhood improvement plans, in conjunction with residents and community organisations. The aim of the plans is to reinforce the "Garden City” image of Christchurch and to enhance residential areas, especially through increasing vehicle and pedestrian safety and by improving the street environment and other public open spaces. To date, plans for Sumner and Addington have been completed and a draft for Richmond and Sydenham is under way. It is planned to begin work on Papanui’s plan later this year. Next year’s plans are likely to include St Albans, North Linwood, Beckenham, east inner City and northwest Spreydon. If you would like information on your area’s plan, please contact the City Council at 791-660. Christchurch City Council Civic Offices, Tuam Street, Christchurch. Phone (03) 791-660 City News is a monthly column of highlights of the Christchurch Council ; current activitites.