QUEEN’S PARK

Southland Times, Issue 23026, 21 October 1936, Page 3

QUEEN’S PARK

IMPROVING SPORTS GROUNDS SUGGESTIONS BEFORE COUNCIL Possible improvements to the sports grounds at Queen’s Park were discussed at length in reports to the meeting ot the City Council last night, and a suggestion was made that sports bodies might share some of the cost of the proposed work. The Reserves Committee reported that representatives from the cricket and hockey associations waited on the committee at its last meeting with the request that the area at ‘Queen’s Park used for cricket in the summer and hockey in the winter be properly drained and levelled. The Committee informed the representatives that it was in sympathy with the request and would be prepared later, if desired, to make a recommendation to the council on the lines of the sports bodies sharing with the council the expense up to a limited amount in excess of Government assistance. The delegates would confer with their respective associations and would get in touch with the committee later. The superintendent of reserves, Mr B. P. Mansfield reported as follows: — “The ground used for cricket and hockey, which are at present unfit and unsafe for decent play, could be converted into one of our best sports grounds. The work involved would include fresh drainage, stripping of soil, levelling, redistribution of soil, seed and fertilizers. The total cost is estimated at £lBOO. If application is made this work may be approved for the relief of unemployment, subsidized by the City Council, in which case the estimated cost to the council would be £BOO for subsidy, tools, materials, machinery, seed, fertilizers and supervision. “It is understood the cricket and hockey associations intend to organize a bazaar to raise furols. No doubt the sum of at least £5OO could be raised by the two associations and should be contributed to the development of the playing areas. A large modern pavilion, which has been suggested, is of much less importance. By comparison with other centres little or no attention is devoted to the upkeep or improvement of playing areas by the council, or the associations principally concerned, with the result that players do not have equality of opportunity in practice or play with their colleagues in other parts. “I am definitely of the opinion this area could be vastly improved, concrete wickets should be prohibited and all play governed directly by this department. At present there is far too much licence, play being permitted under most unsuitable conditions. It should be observed the sum of £lBOO (estimated) is an absolute minimum to provide a suitable playing surface. The construction of a first class ground would cost approximately £3500. The grounds would, of course, be closed for two seasons.” Unevenness of Area.

Cr A. W. Jones said that at the present time the ground was unsafe for cricket because of the unevenness of the grounds. The Reserves Committee was going fully into the matter, and it was hoped that next year, with the assistance asked, the ground could be made one of the best anywhere. It was not a matter for cutting expenditure. It was a big job, but one that would well repay the doing.