JOB WELL DONE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27291, 18 January 1950, Page 2

JOB WELL DONE

PREPARATIONS FOR EMPIRE GAMES VENUE OF VARIOUS CONTESTS In every way Aucklanders have done a splendid job of preparation for the Empire Games, the largest and most important sporting event ever held in the Dominion.

Eden Park which is to be the -scene of the opening ceremony and the venue for the athletic events, has already achieved prominence in the Dominion s sporting annals, and when the third rugby test between South Africa and New Zealand was played there in 1937 it attracted a crowd of 56,000. lhis figure represents the largest group that has assembled for any sporting event in New Zealand. Recent alterations to the ground, however, have had the effect of reducing its capacity to about 47,000. No effort has been spared in the preparation of the surface of the area, and the grass tracks are expected to be exceptionally fast. Although efforts have been largely concentrated on the sprint track, the quarter-mue circuit, has received attention and the run-up paths for the jumping events are being provided from four directions so, there should be no reason for disqualifying possible, record breakers because of wind assistance. Warm-up areas are being provided on the football grounds at the rear of the auxiliary stand and from there competitors will be admitted directly on to the track through a gap in the stand. Stand Accommodation A total of approximately 7850 seats is estimated to be inadequate to cater for the demands in spite of the prices for season tickets being £4 4s and £3 3s each. Only about 2200 seats are under cover, the remainder being provided in new auxiliary stands constructed of tubular steel. Over-all, the impression is that everything possible has been done to provide the competitors with the best of facilities, but the accommodation for the record crowds who will wish to see the cream of the Empire’s athletic talent in competition may be inadequate to meet demands, especially on the opening day. The Newmarket Olympic Pool, venue of the swimming, is the only Olympicsized pool in the country, 165 feet long and 50 feet wide, and two new laminated Oregon springboards have been ordered to be affixed at the three metre height. The ten metre tower diving will be a new event to most spectators since the Newmarket tower with 14 feet of water below it is the only one of any consequence in the Dominion. With the erection of a new stand to hold 3000 spectators, approximately 5000 spectators can now be accommodated to view the swimming, diving and water polo events. The Western Springs banked concrete cycling track is situated in the bottom of a natural amphitheatre. It is 18 feet wide, 515 feet 6 inches in circumference, and is banked to a height of 10 feet on the corners. It was recently specially steam cleaned and everything made in readiness for the cycling programme. Terraces surround the track, and it is estimated that there is accommodation for 25,000 people, with provision for many more on the slopes at the rear of the terraces. In addition to being the venue for the cycling, Western Springs will be the scene of the closing ceremony. Ideal Rowing Course The water behind the tremendous Karapiro dam will be the venue for the rowing events. This course proved itself ideal for last season’s national championships, and on the natural terraces surrounding the lake a crowd of some 15,000 watched the events. The Ministry of Works has provided facilities for the rowers to be accommodated at the lakeside during 'the period of their training and racing. The Carlton Club’s greens, which are among the finest in the Dominion, will be used for the British Empire bowling championships. Bbxing will be held in the Town Hall, but, in view of the hold the sport has in Auckland, the accommodation of 3000 is expected to be totally inadequate. Wrestling will also be held in the Town Hall, but since amateur wrestling does not as a rule enjoy the support that boxing does it is not expected that any patrons will be turned away. Weight-lifting will be held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, where staging and lighting has been specially arranged. The Auckland Drill Hall will be the venue of the fencing contests. Apart from spectator accommodation for the boxing, the facilities being provided for competitors and spectators in the many events appear to be well up to the standard of previous Empire Games and in some cases superior to it.