Hopes high for Q.E. II sports-hostel grant

Press, 11 April 1979, Page 6

Hopes high for Q.E. II sports-hostel grant

The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay) is optimistic that the Government might be prepared to grant SIM for the planned sportsmen's hostel at Queen Elizabeth II Park. Mr Hay told a meeting of the Christchurch City Council’s parks and reserves committee yesterday’ that the “climate” could be right for a grant to cover twothirds of the hostel’s cost, in view of the financial state of the Lottery Funds Board. He suggested that Queen Elizabeth II Park could be established as a national sports training centre. Talks with the Minister of Recreation and Sport were needed, said Mr Hay. However, a “bit of convincing” might be needed, because of the Government’s re-examination of the private enterprise principle. In June last year, the council approved the hostel in principle, provided that it be no charge on rates. An estimate of the cost then was $462,000. Interested bodies have since been surveyed for comment and estaimated use of the hostel. The committee was told yesterday that an un-named company had indicated that it could contribute $lOO,OOO towards the project. Answering Cr P. J. R.

Skellerup, the committee's t s [chairman (Cr P. N. G. Bia-; -ixall) said that the firm) olwould require its name asso-) I'dated with the hostel, and it) i did not involve cigarette or; I liquor advertising. f; Cr Helen Garrett ques-i ■ tioned the need for a hostel. > s )Cr R. Lester replied that the) ‘ | scheme bad been researched { very well and accepted on • the basis of not affecting • rates. Sponsors would not 1 commit themselves unless: 5 the council supported the hostel, he said. It had to 1 "tie the knots up,” he said, - referring to the legal requireUments. ’! The Town Clerk (Mr J. H.i ’ < Gray) said that the council ’(was not justified in spending 1 any money on the proposal ? until Parliamentary legislation was passed. A local bill! 1 was “very much the first ■jstep,” he said. e The committee passed a j recommendation that the t City Solicitor be directed to , draw up an appropriate local ! bill. Mr Blaxall said that the 1 bill would not commit the . council to go ahead with the . hostel if its financial requirements were not met. I 1 The charge on users of! 1 the creche at Queen Eliza- ) t beth II Park was increased ) 20c an hour under a recom-| mendation passed by the' . committee.

It was agreed to continue with the present concessions for two or more children from the same family. The increase will mean a charge of 60c an hour for one child.

A report to the committee (said that, because of higher I wages and electricity ‘charges, the creche faced a deficit increase of $3074 over the next 12 months. The higher charge on users would raise the creche’s income $1960 for the year. Cr Vicki Buck said that the increase of 20c an hour would discourage use of the creche. Cr Blaxall said that it would still be cheaper than the Civic creche. New locks

■ The committee agreed to a (proposal to install better ; locks on the park complex, at a cost of about <s3ooo.

A report said tht the conditions of Jocks throughout the complex was generally poor and that, over the last 12 months $935 had been spent on repairs and alterations.

Under the accepted proposal, a system of master and I sub-master locks would be [installed and staff would receive keys pertaining to their work area only. The issue of keys to hirers would also be restricted.