SPORTING FACILITIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 24, 16 November 1945, Page 5

SPORTING FACILITIES

DEVELOPING THE DOMAIN SUGGESTED WAR MEMORIAL SUBSTANTIAL £5(500 SCHEME Waiting on the Borough Council last Monday evening Messrs. J. W. Wilson and W. Henderson who represented the combined sports bodies of Whakatane, requested that in the event of a war memorial being brought under consideration of the that a complete scheme for the creation of a model sporting ground on the Domain be given due prominence. The speakers produced a plan showing a com*. prehensive layout for all manner of sport including a swimming bath to the total cost of £5600. Mr Wilson said that the combined .sports committees had been formed some time ago for the express purpose of developing the Domain. A sub-committee had been appointed to go into the question of plans, specifications and costs. This had been done and the Domain Board had finally given its full approval and support. The committee had

now decided to request the Council to give the whole project considera-

tion when war memorials were under review as a suitable and worthy .scheme of wide public appeal. The plan covered accommodation for a full-sized swimming bath' s football fields, tennis and basketball courts croquet lawns, bowling greens, athletic field oval ? cricket grandstand and modern conveniences.

Enlarging on the project Mr Hem derson said it catered for every type of sport apart from League football and Soccer but these could be accommodated on the A. and P. grounds if need be.. The estimated costs were as under: Swimming bath £3500; football fields £250; basketball courts £650; cricket and athletic field £400: pitches £50; bowling greens £300; croquet £80; levelling £180; roading £230. There were no estimates for grandstand and dressing sheds. Without the swimming bath the cost would be £2100 The sports bodies felt that Whakatane possessed a marvellous sporting field but that in its present state it was far from suitable.

Cr Canning warmly supported the scheme and asked why it could not be combined with the long delayed project for the merging of the Winter Show and the A. and P. Association and the ultimate development of the Showgrounds. An amalgamation of forces would transform the whole Domain.

Mr Wilson said that the committee already had some £3()0i in view and "even if the scheme was not adopted as a War it would possibly be carried on in the interests of the combined sporting bodies. However if it was adopted the whole of the sporting community would be behind it.

The Mayor said he was favourably inclined towards the suggestion which however would not be the only one put forward. Personally he was definitely against any artificial memorial such as a monument or a set of gates.

Cr Sullivan expressed the hope that even if it were not accepted as a War Memorial that the plan would be carried out. It was possible that subsidies would be available flic Internal Affairs Department next rear and if something like the Centennial scheme were invoked it would mean £ for £ from the Government. 'It was obviously impossible to raise the whole of the £5000 but with a subsidy it was worth

giving a go.

Cr Creeke considered that the bcautification of the whole area should be considered in conjunction, including the. camping ground and the showgrounds.

The Council decided to hold the matter of War Memorials over until after the Christmas holidays, mainly in view of the. forthcoming R.S.A. Queen Carnival which was now about to start.