THE GRANDSTAND.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 10, 1 August 1929, Page 9

THE GRANDSTAND.

(Contributed)

At various times correspondence on this subject lias appeared in the local papers, but so far ho pronouncement has been made regarding this matter. The question as to .whether t>he Hutt should or should not have a stand on the Recreation Ground depends upon several other questions: — - ■ (It Does the crowd on a Saturday afU'TEOon justify the erection of such a. st i tcture? (2) Would the number of people who attend the matches foe increased if - a stand were provided?. (3) How should such a stand be financed? The position may be compared with that which arose in connection with both the Basin Eeserve and Athletic Paxk in Wellington, where it is amply demonstrated/that tie erection of new ■ stand's has been justified. Not only do the spectators use these stands, "but », the revenue collected is as great as the ■^seating accommodation allows. It must be borne in mind that many regular visitors to the parks or recreation grounds will take season tickets, thus assuring authorities of a regular in-c-ome, while the mere- fact that the stand is available will 'encourage regular attendance. ■'■. It. cannot he: expected ' tJrat even enthusiasts wwill care to turn out in the' rain to watch a match,

hut if they could feel sure of area-

sonably dry seat they would be only ' too glad to'avail themselves of it. It cannot be gainsaid that there are sufficient followers , both of Rugby and

cricket to make he erection of a grand stand worth -while. .

In connection with the second point, as to w-hether a grandstand would actually tend to increase the attendances, it would appear that it should Jo so, for far more people would come simply because they could sit instead of .stand, and have a clear view of the; game instead of an" interrupted one. Although the additional cost of a" grandstand seat is not great, the additional convenience is well-nigh incalculable. Wives would accompany hus : bands where nowthey remain at Zionie, and the whole family—sni'all children included—would come because the children, when they became tired, ibe nursed, which now is impossible;

The finance of the scheme is undoubtedly its most knotty point, but there are several methods of -attack, any one of which is worthy, of consideration before being definitely dropped.

(a) A" municipal grandstand, paid for entirely 'by the borough, the total revenues to ..be paid to the borough, and the cost of upkeep, .which would be small, to be borne by the rates. Certain revenues would^ be gained from the letting of club-rooms, tea-rooms, lockers, etc., to the various clubs that use the grounds and "dressing rooms.

(b) A cbib grandstand, the cost of which, -would be raised partly by the Tarious clubs which might be likely to benefit and partly by the Borough Council. An organisation consisting of th© members of' the clubs could- take the matter in Stand and raise by public subscription, gala days, etc.," such a proportion of the necessary cost as might seem .good to the Council, and that body^ oould th'en find .the remainder of the Ifaoney which would partake of the nature of a subsidy, The control of the building- could be vestel In the organisation before mentioned, on the committee of which, the Borough

Council would be represented, Such an arrangement would give the sports bodies yan opportunity to work for the object they have in view>. without throwing the wjhole of t>he onus upon them. ■.''■■'