COMMUNITY CENTRES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 244, 16 October 1939, Page 2

COMMUNITY CENTRES

FOR HAPPINESS AND HEALTH i 1 Some districts of New Zealand have < j chosen the building of community! centres as their centennial memorials. The great value of such centres is; emphasised in a publication of the. British National Fitness Council. “A; community centre—as the name ini-; plies is a. building or group of build- i i ings in which the local community can !lind facilities for healthy recreation! whatever their tastes,” it. is stated. I •’Some arc designed specially for; young people; some cater only for j grown-ups; others cater for both, but 1 in buildings which provide distinct , accommodation. In the absence of, such a centre. Ihc possibilities of healthy indoor exercises arc. in many districts, very severely limited and, valuable as clubs and smaller organisations are, there is a great need also of centres which provide facilities on a bigger and better equipped scale.” It is mentioned that in smaller localities, where large schemes arc not practicable, the village halls arc becoming increasingly helpful. They are being used as the village gymnasium, and for recreational physical training, boxing and fencing instruction, folk dancing and active games. For such uses the hall should, if possible, bo not less than 60 feet by 30 feet and the walls should be 10 feet lo 12 feet to the eaves. There should be a well-laid hard-wood floor, changing accommodation and showers and storage for gymnastic equipment when the hall is used for other purposes.