"BEST POSSIBLE"

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 138, 15 June 1927, Page 7

"BEST POSSIBLE"

NEW SPORTS GROUND

SHOW ASSOCIATION'S

INTENTIONS

MODERN TRACK PLANNED

We are going on with this matter

and we shall build the best track we can possibly get under the circumstances and the ground that we have available.

These remarks were made by Mr. G. Mitchell at a meeting of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last evening iv seekiug the co-operation of the centre in connection with a sports track the Wellington Show Association hag in mind for the area in John Btreet, on which it is proposed to erect a permanent show building. Mr. Mitchell said that the.Show Association had approached the City Council 011 the question of the site, and he was hopeUil that a decision would be made on Ihuisday night, whereby the association would get the right to use 13 acres of laud in John street. "We are hopeful of getting that sanction on Thursday night," added Mr. Mitchell, "and then we shall have to go to the House of Representatives and get a Bill through giving the council the right to give us the right to wse that ground. . . /' MODERN BANKED TRACK. It was not thought by the Show Association that the scheme would be complete unless an up-to-date sports ground was provided. The Show Association required such a ground for horse jumping races, dog trials, and for all kinds ol games. The association had planned to put down a modern banked racing track. It would be an expensive proposition to lay down the track on account of the fact that there was a big gully, and a huge retaining wall would be required. nVE-LAP TRACK POPULAR. As set out in the plans at present the track measured 425 yards, but it was pro* posed to reduce it and make a five-lap track. According to information received irom cyclists overseas a five-lap track was m mrv P°Pular than a four-lap track. Ihe paans of the show building as drawn up wouW enable sprints of from 75 yards to 100 yards to be held inside*the building. Inaide the proposed b&nked-track on the spouts ground would be a track for athletes, and it wag thought that a straight track of 120 yards would be quite possible, with ample room for athletes to finish. GROUND TO BE LIGHTED. / ,"Tlie track," continued Mr. Mitchell, will be lighted, and properly lighted, so that it will not be a pie-bald affair like you havei at the Basin Reserve at the present time. It will be available for sporte throughout the year. We shall provide a track and we shall provide accommodation. Facilities for training will be available at such times as convenient. We intend making services for training etc., as free as we can. The ground and laciuties wiL be as free as possible for those who are going to use them, and when the gates are not closed on account of some function, the grounds will be open and free." SEATING ACCOMMODATION. In reply -to a question, Mr. Mitchell said that there ; would be seating accommodation for 120,000. , The inside track, of course, wojuld be less than the banked track. Thie Show Association wished to make a sports ground which would be one in every sense of the word, and one- which would be aa free as possible. Mr. A. C. Kitto (chairman): "The more training pur athletes have on the one ground the [better-are their performances on that particular ground when the sports meeting eventually is held. We want to get a prqper training ground at a proper cost."

Mr. T. Oaites mentioned the possibility of motor-cycle races on the banked track. He did not think it would be possible, however, to construct a five-lap track suitable for cyclists and motor-cyclists also.

Mr. Kitto: "I think, Mr. Mitchell, you would be weS advised to' put down a track suitable for motor-cycling. Motor-cycle racing has a\ great future, but of course that does not concern us."

Mr. Mitchell said that it was the intention of hb association to run sports on the track, because it would be necessary to use it "Unless we get co-opera-tion from you people we shall have to go outside you. I do not say that in any spirit of anti^onism. We do not want to be forced Up go outside your body, and that is why I am most anxious to hear an expression of your views as soon as possible."

Mr. Kitto Mud that on the surface the idea appeared to be a good one. The centre, however, would seriously consider the matter.