COMMUNITY CENTRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1944, Page 3

COMMUNITY CENTRE

PROPOSAL FOR GREYMOUTH The formation of a Community Centre to embody a War Memorial for Greymouth was initiated, at a representative meeting held in. the Grey Main School, last evening, when a committee was appointed to arrange for a further meeting of all interested organisations, with the ultimate objective of calling a public meeting. The proposal, envisages an organisation which will cater for the cultural as well as the physical welfare of adults as well as youths. Organisations represented were the Youth Committee of the Westland District Progress League, Youth Committee of the Rotary Club, Sports Council, Council of Christian Congregations, Marist Brothers, Housewives’ Union, Swimming Centre, Boxing Association, and Holy Trinity Church. Mr W. D. Taylor, who presided, said the meeting had been called to determine whether the time had arrived to establish a Youth and Community Centre in 'Greymouth, catering not only for physical welfare, but cu Itural activities.

Mr W. E. James, at the invitation of the Chairman, addressed the meeting, saying a Community Centre would have a broad scope. A central site would be required, and steps would be taken to ascertain the extent of Government support. A large building would be desirable, embracing a modern hall, available for a gymnasium, a smaller hall useful for concerts, amateur theatricals and lectures, an up-to-date library, a kindergarten, and a Junioi’ Chambei’ of Commerce. Bands and orchestras and folk-dancing groups would use the facilities, as would debating societies and drama organisations. The W.E.A. could function, and instructional classes, e.g., in woodwork and forming, could be conducted foi' adults. All sports clubs could make the Centre their headquarters. The suggestion had been advanced of constructing the Centre at the Municipal Baths, which could be converted into a tepid pool. X WAR MEMORIAL Mr James moved and Mr Poynton seconded a motion that in*the opinion o:i the meeting the establishment of a Community Centre in the Borough of Greymouth was desirable. Mr AV. R. Millier stressed the need for a building to accommodate sports organisations in the wet climate of Greymouth, He commended the W.E.A., and the provision of facilities for musical appreciation. Mr J. M. McNulty raid one of the chief features was that the Centre would form a AVar Memorial. The meeting passed the resolution unanimously. A further motion Was carried forming a committee to call a later meeting of all interested organisations; if sufficient support is forthcoming, the Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) will be asked to call a public meeting to discuss the proposal to form a Community Centre as ■ a War Memorial. Moving the resolution, Mr G. R. Harker suggested that the aim of £l5O be set in the meantime to obtain the services of a firstclass architect to enable concrete proposals to be placed before the public. Rev. Bro. Tarcisius said a Community Centre could get under way almost at once, as the Town Hall would be available for musical and similar functions. The present Library in Greymouth could be extended. The provision of tepid baths and a gymnasium would in themselves probably cost £ 10,000, but there were other buildings available for use immediately for the other purposes of the Centre. Mr Taylor said a “split” organisation might raise difficulties of control, but there would probably also be advantages. The following committee was set up to implement the motions:—-Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Dixon (Housewives’ Union), Messrs L. F. Anderson and J. D. Watson (Council of Christian Congregations), J. M. McNulty and B. AV. Caulton (Council of Sport), J. Steel and G. R. Harker (Rotary Club), F. W. Baillie (Progress League), and F. Costello (Swimming Centre), also Mr AV. S. McClymont (pro tern secretary). Mr McNulty was deputed to interview the Minister of Internal Affairs on the subject of a subsidy for _ a Community Centre and a utilitarian War Memorial. The meeting adopted a recommendation to the committee which will ultimately be appointed that weekly euchre tournaments be held for a period of three months to raise funds.

Mr Harker suggested that the upstairs portion of the Town Hall could be utilised for certain activities.

Mr McClymont urged that the War Memorial aspect should be kept to the fore, particularly in war-time when funds could be raised the more easily for such a project. Mr Baillie remarked that there were only two to two and a-half months of swimming weather in Greymouth, and tepid baths would be desirable. There was £6OO set aside by the Swimming Centre to make the baths tepid.

On the motion of Bro. Tarcisius and Mr Baillie it was decided that the incoming committee be recommended to consider the establishment of some of the activities of the Centre in the available buildings meantime.