Future of Nelson Park

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 42, 12 November 1937, Page 4

Future of Nelson Park

USE AS SPORTS AREA FOR HASTINGS Borough Council's Proposals Outlined LEGISLATION SOUGHT Ah indication that it is. the intention of the council to develop Nelson Park as the principal sports grounds in Hastings was given by the Mayor, Mr G. A Maddison, at the meeting of the Hastings Borough Council last evening, when it was decided that steps be taken . for legislation to be ♦ passed ciiminating the present necessity of the park becoming an open one in 1941. Mr Maddison intiznated that the council had in mind the idea of developing this reserve along similar lines to that adopted by the Napier Borough Council in regard to McLean Park, and to other sportf " grounds in New Zealand, When formally moving certain resolutions that were required to allow the coiincil to have included in the Local Bodies Bill to bring about an amendment to the existing legislation governing the particular area, Mr Maddison pointed out that, at present, it was incumbent upon the council to declare Nelson Park an open park, similar to Cornwall Park an.d other borough roserves. when the last debenture wai paid in 1941. "We are desirous of having the legislation amended so that Nelson Park will be allowed to f unction as a ' chargepark', the same as McLean Park in Napier and other parks in various towns and cities, and the same as it has been for the past 17 years," he said. Mr Maddison pointed out that, if Nelson Park was not made available as such, then the borough would be. compelled to purchase another area for a sports ground and this, together with the cost of erecting stands, providing necessary facilities and equipment, as well as roading formation, would involve a considerable amount. Then, in addition, the borough would still haye to maintain' Nelson Park as a borough reserve, so that there would be increased capital cost, as well as additional annual maintenance costs to be met. ' ' The idea is to concentrate sportlng activities on Nelson Park and proceed to erect stands and provide facilities there to bring it in conformity with McLean Park and the other central sporting playgrounds in New Zealand," said Mr Maddison. "If we are succ.essful in ha,ving Nelson Park made available as suchj'it is proposed tb develop it - greatly, make greater use of it generally, and increase the facilities. . " With the increaeed leisure now en-. joyed by the communityt it behoved local bodies, such as the council, to see that facilities were available where best use could be made of that leisure. time. Nelson Park could. be made the plaee where sporting activities could be concentrated and could be developed nmre economically than if another sports ground had to be purchased, "There is no reason why the council should not obtain revefiue from the sports bodies to meet the cost involved in the same way as the Napier Borough Council does from McLean Park," he said, and added that he understood tliat the charges made for the iise of McLean Park had been sufiicient to' completely pay off the cost of the No. 1 stand and a considerable portipn of the cost of tHO No. 2 stand. Similar arrangements, he contended, could b® made as regards Nelson Park. i Mr Maddison mentioned that he hnd approached the trustees of the estate . of the late Mr William Nelson and had been assured that no opposition would be offerpd from that quarter to "anytliing that the council did that was in che best interests of the people of Hastings. ' ' The various formal resolutions passed in rcgard to the proposed amendment - :o the present legislation is to be iorwarded immediately to the Departnent of Internal Affairs for inclusion. n the Local Bodies Bill.