Proposes Community Sports Centre At Hihiamm Reclamation

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1946, Page 3

Proposes Community Sports Centre At Hihiamm Reclamation

More than 40 delegates from Whangarei local bodies and sporting organisations met last night to hear proposals pit forward by the president of the Whangarei A. and P. Society (Mr H. W. James) in regard to the future development of the Hihiaua reclamation as a show ground and sports area. The lGt acres reclamation is owned by the Whangarei Harbour Board and made available to the A. and P. Society under a long-term lease. Broadly speaking the proposals envisage the provision of sports grounds and facilities for various clubs and the erection of show buildings which could be used by other organisations when not required by the A. and P. Society.

To fuance the proposals, the interested organisations would combine, taking up bonds, or alternatively, loans- would be raised against the assets of the society and the organisations concerned.

The major questions at issue last night was not one of finance, but of the requirements of the various sporting bodies as regards space and facilities, should they agree in principle with the proposals submitted. At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution was passed endorsing the society’s plans to develop the area as a community sports centre. NOT BIG ENOUGH While representatives of most of the larger organisations were not in a position to voice the opinion of the bodies they represented, the meeting was informed that the space of 16'. acres was quite inadequate for the needs of the Whangarei Rugby Union, which required at least six grounds, each ol' which was three and a halt acres in extent. Outlining the proposals, Mr James i said that his society had acquired the area with a view to establishing show; grounds. His executive considered I that to erect show buildings for this | one purpose might deprive sporting j organisations from facilities that j should be available to them. If the area could be put to use as a com- | munity sports centre, it would provide a much-needed facility, particularly in such times as the present, when more leisure hours than previously were available to most people. The intention of the society was to build a show ground but it was considered possible that buildings could be erected for the use of other organisations during the time in which they I were not required by the society. As a show ground it would be used for on'.v a few days each year. KENSINGTON S FAILINGS Mr James pointed out that Kensington Park used by the society for its summer shows, possessed several disadvantages. The race track separating grandstands from the show ring detracted from its suitability. J while the lay-out of the buildings and'

cattle pavilions meant that all the activities were confined to a corner of the grounds. It was desirable to have the show buildings on one side of the grounds with cattle pavilions opposite. To find funds sufficient to meet the cost of erecting buildings it had been suggested that this could be done either by a loan against the assets of the society and organisations interested. or by issuing bonds. METHOD OF FINANCING The secretary <Mr C. P. Butler) said that arrangements had been made to erect the show buildings before too war. It had been considered that £SOOO would be required To obtain finance, plans were made to issue bearer bonds of £lO each, repayable in 20 years. Security would be by way of life endowment insurance policies. A return of 8 - for every £1 invested would result after 20 years. He intimated that a similar scheme to finance this venture was being contemplated. Mr James pointed oul that finance was not the main question for discussion at this juncture. His society wanted to learn the requirements in buildings and grounds of the various sports organisations. This information was needed before any plans could be made.

I-Ie urged that each organisation should give the proposals full and serious consideration.

If each sporting body developed its own separate ground. much public rponey would be spent, but if all their requirements could be coordinated this would be to the benefit of everyone concerned. A WAR MEMORIAL Mr James, in reply to a question from Mr W. L. McKinnon, representing the Chamber of Commerce and the Whangarei District Progressive Society. stated that, as it was intended to make the project a war memorial ground, subsidies could be obtained. Chairman of the Whangarei Harboard Board (Mr E. L. Whimp) congratulated the society in its endeavours to take the initiative in this question. He coulcl visualise further development far beyond what could be seen at present, said Mr Whimp. The time would come when the main northsouth highway would run down Devqron Road to the waterfront, continuing along the foreshore past the reclamation in question, through Kioreroa, and connecting with the present highway. COULD ENLARGE AREA 1 Referring <o the Hihiaua Reclamation. Mr Whimp said in: considered the area might not be sufficient for some sports, which required large ground*, ft would be possible to reclaim a similar area adjacent to the present reclamation. and. by this means, all sports could be accommodated, he said.

The Harbour Board's engineer and superintendent (Mr W. M. Fraser) was asked whether a good turf could be

established on the reclaimed land. He pointed cut that most of the lowlving ground in the centre of Whangarei was similar to the reclamation, in that it was alluvial in nature.

In reply to a question regarding the drainage of the reclaimed area, he said it might be wise t@ build the height up another foot, in which case good drainage would be assured. QUESTION OF CONTROL

Mr E. C. Cummings, a delegate from the Whangarei Rugby Union, raised the question of control of the proposed sports areas. Unless each organisation had its own separate enclosure for gate purposes, he felt trouble would

arise. Interests would clash and a subdivision of the area for gating purposes would be a necessity, he said.

Mr Jarr.es commented that, with the present area, such a scheme would not be practicable, but if an additional area was reclaimed, no great difficulty would be presented in this respect.

The chairman of the management committee of the Whangarei Rugby Union <Mr D. K. Ross) pointed out that while his union had the use of good facilities at present, it was always on the lookout for a permanent home, but the area available at the Hihiaua Reclamation was not sufficient to meet the union's needs.

""“KENSINGTON WOULD SUIT

Kensington Park, which was used as a racecourse, was sufficiently large in area to be able to accommodate all sports, including Rugby, hockey and cricket, and was in a centrally situated position, commented Mr Ross. In reply to a question, Mr James told the meeting that the society's show buildings vvculd cover an area of approximately two and a half acres. As soon as the weather was suitable, a start would be made with the development of the area, and grass would be .sown. It was intended to use the area for the 1947 show, but permits for the buildings had yet to be obtained.

Representing the Whangarei District Progressive Society. Mr .1. F- Johnson said that his society, which supported the A. & P. Society's proposals, wouid do everything possible to assist in their imolementaticn.

As president of the Chamber of Commerce, he was in a position to state that this organisation was also in favour of the proposals. Mr S. ,J. Snow said the Boystown movement was keenly interested in the project and wished to participate in the scheme.

Mr W. Hawthorn, representing the Whangarei and County Pipe Band, also intimated his organisation's support, of the project. Other speakers displayed considerable interest in the society’s plans, but were unable to commit their organisations until further information was available.

The delegates were requested to report back to their various executives, in order that the questions could be fully discussed and so that particulars cf their requirements concerning grounds and facilities could be forwarded to the society. With this information it was hoped that the society would be able to draw up a plan for allocating areas for various sperts.