SPORTS GROUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 61, 14 March 1922, Page 10

SPORTS GROUNDS

IMPROVEMENTS AT EASTBOURNE

FOOTBALL, CRICKET, CROQUET, AND TENNIS.

Supporters of Rugby football, cricket, and al,fal«ticß nfc Eastbourne during the past few months have organised.a definite eli'ort iiiwing as its object tbe imprqvcineiit oi the sports grounds in the East Harbour district. A special committee war- appointed to make the necessary ■ arraiigenients and to collect the roqui.vtl iunds. The effort has been K> lav successful that ncariy UIOO is already in i-.and for the purpose. Secently the iiastboorne Boroagh Council wus apby the coir.mitteo with a request t'uat tee council chould lake over tlie money, nubsidise the binouut, and curry t>at the work. This the council, agreed to (?o, and already great progress "hap beeu made with fcho improvements. The Keserye has now been properly fenced, Mid footpaths ohingled and formed at each end to allow oJ callable approaches to the beach from Orua-street, ; whilst a footway is now being formed the. full length of the Eeserve on the beuch side. A groundsman has been appybiled, and thi3 , week. the surface of the groand^is to bo disc-harrowed, topdressed, limed, and sown with suitable, grass soed. Altogether a most notable improvement is being made, should tend to popularise Eastbourne to footballers, cricketers, athletes, and those ] who desire lo use tho Reserve as a picnic ground. ' v _ | The • movement' .brought, the question of recreation grounds prominently before the Eastbourne Council, and, in consequence,, a forward movement'"-has occurred. A section has been purchased by the council at. the northern end at the Becreation Ground, on which it is proposed to place four asphalt tennis courts, and probably a small pavilion. In addiiioni the stables at present on the gi'ound surrounding the : Council Chambers are being removed, and will be replaced by two croquet lawns, a rest-rooiii for ladies, "and a grass playgrov.nd with swinge for children. The la-dies of Eastbourne have already subscribed £50. towards this portion of the proposed improvements, and havfi| guaranteed a further £20 par annum towards fhe upkeep. The question of suitable playing areas for organised games at Eastbourne has become somewhat acute, as was evidencfl'd by a letter to the Crickei Association last night, in which the Eastbourne Club pointed out that, owing fco the Day's Bay ground' being Esed.by picnic parties, the cricket pitch was becoming unfit to play on. The- club aoked that the remaining three matches should be played in town. The matter was referred to the Junior Championship Committee for ' consideration, but it will be difficult to arrange, owing to the small number cf grounds available. A request by the Eastbourne Club that the association should assist financially the ground improvement fund in the East Harbour ; district was declined^ although the club pointed out that the work being don» would permit of two teams being entered next' season. The Wellington Rugby Union recently assisted to the extent of £5 ss. '■.•'■'•.•"