Provision of Sports Grounds Discussed

Chronicle (Levin), 19 March 1948, Page 2

Provision of Sports Grounds Discussed

— — w t Members of the Otaki Borough Council on Wednesday night. met, representatives of various sports fc-odies with a "view to* coming to an arrangement for sports grounds, so urge.ntly needed in Otaki, especially as sport promises to be on the increase this season. The Mayor (Mr. C. F. Atmore) presided, while rthere wbre some 20 delegates present from sports clubs. Matters were fully and freely discussed, and it was admitted that sports areas were inadequate for games, desplte the f act that there were 61 acres in- the domain, while the council also had. a play area at Riverbank Road, behind the State houses. Mr. Atmore explained that the meeting had been called to consider the development of the domain and the ground on Riverbank Road as sports areas. The ;council,_ it was expected, would jhave the co-operation of all sports ibodies, but he pointed out that there was necessarv expense which should have consideration. 'Most* of the clubs, however, had agreed to help in a financial way,., and the^ scheme was one which he hoped would work out to the satisfaction of all. If the recently-acquired land was made use of, the buildings "fequired could be erected. In fact the Boy Scouts and Otaki Band had already made application" for building sitbs. Cr. Bartosh gave support to the Mayor's remarks ggreeing that all possible should be done • in the Interests of sport. Mr. B. Ryder, on behalf of the Otaki Tennis Club, offered substantial help, while all other sports bodies represented agreed that they should assist in the upkeep of the ground. The tennis club desired to lay down hard courts, and this was favoured, while it was considered that with the dead ball. line reduced in size tor* football on the domain, a hockey field could be rnarked out which would * prove adequate for the game. It was thought .that should important hockey and football matches be played on the same day, an amicable arrangement as to gate charges could be made. Committees were appointed to work in conjunction with the council to discuss the subject and report back. It was thought by some that arrangements should be made whereby the land adjacent to the domain should be acquired, while a suggestion was also made that the Mission property behind the Central Hotel would "make an ideal domain. However, it was only biiefly discussed, it being agreed that although both sections of land would be an advantage no action was to be taken. It was decided that in the case of accident on the playing field at the domain, injured persons could be treated in the meantime in the hockey shed. Mr. Cook offered to bring the matter before the Horowhenua Rugby Union, with a view to having a suitable building erectod.