Y.M.C.A. HOSTEL EXTENSIONS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28269, 6 May 1957, Page 6

Y.M.C.A. HOSTEL EXTENSIONS

X Appeal For £BOOO The Young Men’s Christian AssociaHol. m Christchurch is to launch an appeal for £BOOO, which is required to finance rebuilding the hostel section of the premises in Oxford terrace and raise residential accommodation from 28 to 42 places. The general secretary (Mr M. M. Betts) said that in 1948 the Y.M.C.A. was forced to close part of its .hostel because it did not comply with fire regulations. Since then, the directors had continually regretted that they could not accommodate all the boarders offering. In spite of this handicap, the Y.M.C.A. had had more than 400 residents at different times during the last year. At present, there were about a dozen residents of Fijian, Indian, Malayan, Thailand, and other Asian nationalities, for whom places were specially reserved. In addition, the association provided beds for students, apprentices, young servicemen and others away from home. In 1953-54, the directors had begun rebuilding with a modern kitchen and new dining-room at a cost of £3OOO. A contract had now been let and work was well advanced for further reconstruction to provide fire escapes and renovate the closed portion of the hostel to bring the beds up to 42 and provide built-in furniture, new furnishings, additional toilet facilities, and better lighting, he said. Ultimate extensions would provide for 70 boarders.