FOOTBALL FIELD AND SPORTS GROUND

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 133, 13 August 1954, Page 1

FOOTBALL FIELD AND SPORTS GROUND

MAYOR TO CALL PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS At the Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, August 4, Cr J. M. Stanley raised the question of the proposed development to be done on the domain west of Tongariro Street, where the football and cricket grounds are at present situated. Cr Stanley said that he understood the estimates of quantities of earth to be moved, and of costs, had not yet been received from Messrs. Cheal and Tremaine. In view of the urgent need for a new football field, and of the fact that only a few weeks are now left in which grass could be sown, he thought that the wisest course would be to lay down a new temporary ground in grass, on the area at present in oats. This could be used also for cricket. The area could be merely graded, and it | would not matter if it were not actually level, provided the surface were even. Cr K. E. Young said he was against the idea of doing anything of a temporary nature. It would be better to start on the overall plan of developing the area, and while this would be a big job it could be done in stages. A temporary place could be found for the football next season, perhaps out at the Aerodrome.

Cr C. Vedder was also against doing anything of a temporary nature. If that were done they might be without a proper football field for another twenty years. Cr Stanley asked what was planned to be done now on the present ground if a temporary field were not laid down there as he suggest- I ed? Was the ground to be left to i grow broom? -The Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, said he agreed with Cr Stanley that the practical course would be to lay down a temporary field at once. He agreed with the idea of the proposed overall development, on the lines of the tentative plan submitted recently by Mr Cheal, but could not see daylight as to finance at the moment. It was going to be a big job. Cr Young said that while it would cost money he was sure that the public would be willing to subscribe and that contractors would be very willing to lend machines to shift earth.

Cr Stanley said that if the football had to be played on the Aerodrome next season it would kill football in Taupo at its present stage. When the population was greater, in time to come, it would be all right to play further out of town, but for some time it would have to be played in the town as at present. The Mayor suggested that a public meeting be called to discuss the problem at an early date, so j that the public could hear the position and express their views. The Council agreed that the Mayor should call a meeting to be held in Rickit's Hall on Tuesday, August 17.