STADIUM FOR SPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20241, 29 April 1929, Page 13

STADIUM FOR SPORT.

ARENA AT WESTERN SPRINGS.

USE NOT DECEMBER. UNEMPLOYED RELIEF WORK. Chief among (ho additional playing areas made available to Auckland through tlio efforts of unemployment relief workers is the Western Springs stadium, which bus progressed so f.ir toward completion as to rnako visualisation of the finished project an easy exercise for the imagination. Tlio perspective drawing on this page, prepared by tlio city engineer's ollice, gives an impression of the erstwhile swamp area when tho scheme has been fully developed. A warning should at once bo issued that the stadium scheme as tho artist sees it will not necessarily follow all the lines of development he has indicated, but in broad detail tho area is to bo treated as ho lias shown. Tho central oval has already been grassed. About two-thirds of tho concrete terrace work has also been completed, a 33.\ft. cinder track, its inner lino 440 yds. long, has been levelled, while tho concreting of the outer cycle track has almost been finished. In addition, the greater part of the access road from tho Great North Road, a macadam thoroughfare grouted with bitumen, has been constructed, and good progress has been made with tho pedestrian way from tho Old Mill Road, which will give convenient connection with the Grey Lynn tram service.

The grandstand on the right of tho oval is still " in tho air," but unquestionably some such accommodation will bo necessary as a protection • from th« weather. Tho miniature stadium at tho foot of tho pedestrian entrance way is a suggestion for future development, and is no part of tho authorised scheme. Tho trees in tho foreground actually exist., being part of tho afforestation area adjoining tho Zoological Gardens, and tho artist has suggested the planting of ornamental trees on tho road frontages and around the area fronting the Great North Road, which lends itself to the development of further playing areas. It was in July, 1927, that a start was made on tlio development of tho area, and tho whole of the work has been carried out as a relief work, although some semi-skilled labour is now being utilised for tho concrete work. The area now a grassed oval was originally a swamp, and there is between four and five feet of filling thore now. A series of drains was put in to carry oil soakago and surface water. A diversion of tho stream running through (ho area was also uocessarv.

It is expected the stadium will have its first public uso next December, -when motor and cycling sports will probably be held. The configuration of the area lent itself admirably for development as an amphitheatre, and the stadium, because of its diversity of use and the fine uninterrupted view spectators in all parts may obtain, seems destined to become ono of the city's leading sports arenas. Between 40 and 50 men are employed at the ground at present. The work has been the principal of (lie several relief schemes the City Council has inaugurated in the past two years, during which, including Government, subsidies, a total of over £52,500 has been expended.