A CIVIC CENTRE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1925, Page 6

A CIVIC CENTRE

SCHEME OUTLINED AT. EASTBOURNE.

The question of the sale of what is known as Pearce's property, purchased a couple of year's ago by the council for £2625, was discussed at some length ' by the Eastbourne Borough Council last evening. The property had been subdivided, said the Mayor, and -if sold at the upset prices would result in a, profit of about £200.

Councillor Edilson considered that the council had made a mistake in purchasing the property, but now that it belonged to the council they should hang on to it and make it the nucleus of a civic centre. The house could be turned into council chambers, and with the pavilion, tennis courts, and Recreation Ground adjacent, it would become the centre of the life of the borough. Some day the council will want that land very much, and to sell would be a mistake. It would be better to sell the property on which the present council chambers stood, which would bring in a substantial amount. The council was at present losing money on its property, and it should be dealt with.

The Mayor said what the council should _ do immediately is to concentrate on selling the two northerly sections of Pearce's land, the rental for the house 1 would then pay its .way by way of interest on the money expended. He moved that the two sections be sold immediately. . The section at present occupied by the council chambers was capable of extension, and three or four cottages could bo built on the corner. A motion had been carried in the past that houses should be built, but it had been sidetracked.

The motion -was seconded by Councillor Laing. Councillor Edilson moved as an amendment, and Councillor Levy sec. onded, that all of the land in Pearce's property be retained.

The Mayor said that the council'was leasing certain land in the vicinity ot the tennis courts belonging to the Catholic Church, and he thought that an exchange could be made with the church authorities, giving them a portion of Peaxce's, property in return for the ground upon which the church at present stands.

On taking a vote on the amendment,the council was evenly divided, thematter resting on the casting.vote of the Mayor. It was then decided to withdraw both motion and amendment pend--ing further inquiries regarding the proposal to exchange properties.