ERECTION OF GRANDSTAND AT DOMAIN.

Shannon News, 20 January 1928, Page 3

ERECTION OF GRANDSTAND AT DOMAIN.

CARNIVAL TO BE l-bLD. TO RAISE FUNDS. *A meeting was held in the Council Chambers last evening of the committees of the various sports bodies in Shannon, to consider the question of erecting a grandstand on the Domain and if decided upon to go into ways and means of raising the money to carry out the work. Crs. Curran and Downes were present representing the Borough Council.

Mr T. C. Thwaites, convenor of the meeting, who presided, said they all recognised that a grandstand v r as badly needfld at; the Domain. Such a building would not only be a big asset to sports bodies and later on to the .Borough Council, but would prove a big • convenience to the public, The proposal was to erect a stand capable of seating 400 people, and that the revenue derived therefrom, should go towards liquidating the debt.. The Borough Council to be the controlling body. Mr Spencer had kindly prepared a plan which that gentleman would explain. Mr Spencer then passed, the plan around' for inspection. He stated that in erecting a public stand strict attention must be given to strength. The. plan submitted made provision for seat- 1 ing 400 people, in addition to which there were ladies, committee and refreshment rooms, also three dressing rooms in front, the estimate- for this being\,£lloo. To meet the requirements of Shannon he thought a bare stand would fill the bill. This could be built two feet from the ground lint to the floor of the lower steps costing £250, and with a long room in front with two windows and two doors another £9O, and with roof and boards without sashes a further £lls, making a total of £415. He stated that the plan lends itself to build in sections. They could get a.good job for approximately £SOO. The work could be done piecemeal, a'nd if some, of the men helped voluntarily with the work under a skilled man the cost, would be reduced. He was-will-ing to give any help he could.

The chairman said that to raise the. necessary money it had been suggested that a private individual be asked to nuance the scheme, but the difficulty in this was that no security could be given; the alternative was a joint, and several at the Bank or that the money be raised by holding a carnival. The Borough Council would act hs-trustees and the revenue derived would go to liquidate the debt.

Mr Coates asked if the Council would raise the loan-if the sports'bodies guaranteed the interest and sinking fund.

The chairman said he did not . think the Council would do that, but probably, as the .stand would be a big asset, they might see their way to place a sum on the estimates each year to help wipe off the debt.

Mr Coates moved that it be a recommendation to the Council on the lines lie had suggested. ■ Cr. Downes said his personal opinion was that the Council had' got their hands full and would not entertain it.

Cr. Curran, jun., was of the same opinion, slating he did not think the sports bodies were in a position to give , a guarantee.

Mr Hyde said they' would have difficulty in getting guarantors. ..lie would like to see a grandstand, but he wanted to see the money in hand first. The Beautifying Committee want ltd £SOO 'and he thought the two amounts could be raised at the same time by means of a carnival or some such means. Or. Downes was of the opinion that, the time was not opportune to hold a carnival and that the matter should bo held over for twelve months or so. The Athletic Club were endeavouring to find-way's and means to get, money to tar-seal the cycle track and every' other Club was practically.in the same position. (At (least half the mcjfoy should be raised by voluntary contribution, which would thus make it, easier to get a joint and several for the remainder. If this is not done somebody' will have to nurse the “baby'.” These things, he said, start off full of enthusiasm and die just as quick.

Mr Brann asked the chairman if he had any r idea Avhat subsidy the Council would give. With a subsidy and revenue the scheme might still be feasible. Cr. Downes said the present Council could no*- earmark an amount to be paid annually. They' could not bind future Councils.

The chairman agreed this was so, but he did not agree with Cr. Downes that the time was not opportune to go on with the scheme. He said lie had no doubt that the stand would more than pay its way' from the start. Cr. Downes moved that the meeting lie adjourned for twelve months, this was seconded by Mr F. King. Mr Richards moved an amendment that the Conned be asked to raise a loan for £SOO to erect a .grandstand on the Domain.

Cr. Downes in asking Mr Richards if lie had any idea of what, it cost to raise a loan " before getting the sanction of the ratepayers, stated that, it cost in 1 lie vicinity of £ls, therefore, the Council have got to know that it has got a reasonable chance of going through. Personally,- he did not think it had a possible hope, as ratepayers knew other loan proposals were coming forward shortly. Cr. Curran, jun., said that before the Council committed themselves lie would like to see someone appointed to canvass ratepayers to ascertain the chances of the proposal being carried. Mr Richards was appointed, Imt the amendment oil being ’put to the meeting was lost, only the movers supporting it. Speaking to the motion the chairman said that it would bo,the end of the scheme if it was shelved for twelve months. He thought if all thp committees got behind the proposition they could make it, go dry holding sports, etc., and with voluntary subscriptions they would be astonished at the amount collected. He was thoroughly convinc-

ed the stand would be a benefit to all and a convenience to committees who had to work on the ground. Mr Hyde said personally' lie was in favour of holding a carnival, but no local individual could spare the time necessary to do the organising. Therefore, he would move a further amendment that all the committees combine and hold a carnival and sports meeting and that a paid organiser be engaged on a percentage of the nett proceeds with the object of raising the sum of £IOOO for erecting a grandstand, tar-seal-ing the cycle track and for beautifying. On the amendment being put- to the meeting and being carried, the chairman of the meeting in conjunction with the. chairman of the different sports bjodies were appointed an executive with power to act to engage an organiser..

A further meeting will be called at a later date to which the Executive

will report. Thanks to the chair terminated the meeting. . '