LIGHTS AT PARK DOMAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 23 October 1946, Page 8

LIGHTS AT PARK DOMAIN

ATHLETIC CLUB'S REQUEST DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL Requesting the restoration of the lights round the oval and surroundings at the Levin Park Domain, which had fallen into disrepair during the war years through lack of use, the Levin Borough Councii received a deputation from the Levin Combined Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club at its meeting on Monday night. The deputation consisted of Messrs. W. Cribb (president) , E. J. Stanley and J. H. Cooper (secretary) . Mr. Cribb said the club was a sports body representing quite a large section of the public. During the war years the lights had not been used, but now -they were required again aficl it was found that to restore them would cost £60. It was felt that the councii should pay the cost of repairs on this occasion, or at least the greatest part of it, and that for future maintenance the clubs using the lights should pay a fee, which could be set aside for that purpose. During its evening sports meetings this year the club hoped to stage some of the finest track events in the Dominion and the lights were essential for that purpose. There is so much leisure time with the fiveday week, and we are endeavouring to give the young people a good, clean sport,'' he added, "and xeep them ofl the street." One thing which had impressed him as a newcomer to the town, said Mr. Stanley, was the anxiew of the club to cater for the young people in sport. In the war years people would gather at the domain for the sports meetings and when daylight failed they were forced to go home. "There were some young people who would not go home," proceeded Mr. Stanley, "but who Would be on the street when they could have been engaging in healthy sport up to 9 p.m. had there been lights. The appetite for sport in Levin is strong. There is a wide variety of sport available and it should be encouragsd. as there is no finer thing for a community. To my mina the ground ranks as among the six best in the Dominion, but it needs one thing to complete Ihe facilities provided — lights. Any town which caters for sport is making a sound investment, and not in pounds. hillings and pence," concluded the ipeaker in appealing to the councii for its help. As a point of interest, the Mayor tMr. H. B. Burdekin) said that the councii usually spent £150 on the maintenance of the domain. This year it hsd aiready spent £478 Cicre. and had received £23 m revenue, ' with 10 per eeut of the football gate receipts still to come. The councii had trebled its normal cxpenditure with the same idea in mind as Mr. Stanley had mencioned. His Worship assured the deputation that the councii would give the matter sympathetic considsration. The deputation then retired and .he councii discussed the matter. The Mayor said he agreed with :he deputation that the lights ihouid be put in order, but it was a juesiion of who was going to pay ,he cost of £60. Cr. F. E. Parker said it was a pity :o have to close sports meetings at in early hour because there were no lights. "There is the other side „hat people from the county use .he ground and the County Councii pays absolutely nothing towards its maintenance." Cr. F. D. Chainey pointed out that the club proposed opening its season on November 5 with an evening sports meeting and carnival, and stressed the need for something to be done without delay. It was then decibed to put the wcrk in hand immediately so that it would be ready for the club's season, and to ask the club and the Horowhenua- Rugby Union aiid/or .he two football clubs ; (Wanderers and Athletic) to contribute £30 of r.he cost by way of a contribution of £5 each per year for two years. The Mayor commented that the rouncil could leave it to the good faith of the clubs concerned to pay ihe amount. In regard to a levy for future maintainance, it was resolved that all clubs using the lights pay a fee of five shillings per night, with a maximum of 30s for any one season.