MEETING DISCUSSES SPORTS GROUND

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 135, 27 August 1954, Page 5

MEETING DISCUSSES SPORTS GROUND

COMMITTEE SET UP TO RAISE MONEY XJNITED COMMUNITY EFFOET URGED There was a representative attendance of about thirty at the public meeting held in Rickit's Hall on Tuesday evening, August 17, and called by the Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, to discuss the problem of the development of the Taupo sports ground. Following a thorough diseussion a temporary committee was set up, whose object is to arrange for a public meeting, to be held-on Wednesday, September 8, at which full representation of all local sports bodies, and for all sections of the community, is planned.

The general feeling, of the meeting was that it was desirable to push on at the earliest possible moment with the complete development of the proposed sports ground, rather than do anything of a partial and temporary nature, and that a determined effort should be made immediately to raise sufficient money to carry out the work. Outline By Mr Cheal The Mayor, Mr Story, opened the meeting and called on Mr Cheal to give an outline of the, proposed plan for developing the whole area, comprising the domain west of Tongariro Street and lying between the War Memorial Hall and the main highway leading to the Waikato River dam. Mr Cheal, with the) aid of a plan prepared by his partner, Mr Tremaine, explained that this had been drawn up with a view to future requirements, rather than merely immediate needs, and that the problem was not an easy one, due to the,contour of the ground and the costs of the scheme. The plan provided ,for an oval sports ground, which would provide a football field, and which would also be available as a cricket ground in the summer. This sports ground would require excavation to a depth of about 4ft. 6in. on the one side and filling to a depth of 3ft. 6in. pn the other. The resultant ground would not be perfectly level, but would have a fall to the west of only one in two hundred and fifty, compared with the present field's fall of one in fifty. He estimated that the cost of constructing this sports ground would be about £2100, assuming the use for the job of the correct type of machinery. * In addition to the sports ground oval, the area would provide room for the establishment of areas for tennis and basketball, and other sports, and for car parking. The area at present occupied by the Ministry of Works depot would be included in the scheme when vacated by the Department. His estimate was for the construction of the sports ground only. It was clear that construction of this would require that football and cricket people would have to go without the use of their present field for one season. It would be necessary to strip the surface soil from the area and replace it when the levelling was done, and it might be necessary to bring in extra top-soil as well. The latter was not included in the estimated cost he had mentioned. General Discussion Following Mr Cheal's outline there was a general discussion. Mr Acres thought that the plan made the best use of the ground available but was disappointing from the cricket point of view in that the ground was not available for cricet alone, free from its use for football. Other speakers thought that use by both football and cricket was reasonable, instancing Eden Park, Pukekura Park and the Basin Reserve. Mr J. W. Woodward said that the use of a mat for cricket. would be needed anyway, as it would not be found practicable to

produce a turf pitch that would stand up to weekly cricket. Col. J. D. Swan raised the question as to whether the ground under discussion was suitable for the whole scheme, or whether in view of the growing population a ground for sports further out of town might not be preferable. He pictured the congestion in Tongariro St. if the Ranfurly Shield match were held in Taupo, and asked whether any other town had its sports ground in the main street? Mr J. M. Stanley considered the ground would be large enough for the next ten years, and that then additional grounds could be added elsewhere. Meantime he considered the ground should be developed .and used. "Lucky To Have It" Mr Woodward thought that the sports ground should be on the area under discussion as long as possible. The town was lucky to have it so handy to the main street, and many towns would be only too glad to have it. Mr K. E. Young agreed. He thought the area lent itself to being made one of the finest sports areas in the country. £2000 might seem a.lot, but the golf club had done a job twice the size, with determination, and if all the sports people and the public got together finance would, be forthcoming. Mr C. S. Currie concurred in these views and felt they should get their teeth into the plan at onee, Mr Burge asked what plan was there for temporary sports grounds while the scheme was going on? Mr J. K. Bogue urged that the plan should be pushed on. The sooner there was a decent ground the sooner sport would "boom," not only football, but other sports as well. Where was the £2100 to come from? He could say that the Rugby Union would do its share in helping to raise money, and suggested the possibilities of such means as a Queen Carnival, or a "Mayoral Election." He was strongly of opinion that the money should be raised before the work was started, and that this could be done. Government Assistance? With regard to temporary grounds for use during the carrying out of the plan, Mr Young asked whether some of the football games could not be played at say, Maroa and Tokaanu? With regard to the estimated cost, Mr Young thought some of the work might be done by voluntary labour, and that the Golf Club would help with the use of equipment in sowing and harrowing. It was possible, that the Gymkhana Club, too, would be willing to help by making a, grant from its funds, one of the purposes of which had been regarded as being th^ improvement of sports grounds. If some effort were made to get some money in hand, an appeal to the Government for a £ for £ subsidy woud be greatly strengthened thereby. Some financial assistance might also be forthcoming from the H.B. Rugby Union. He would like to hear what sports bodies represented in the meeting were willing to do?

Mr J. M. Stanley, Rugby Subunion president, then produced a cheque for £30 as a donation from the Sub-union, and urging that they should "Get going!" handed it to the Mayor to start a fund for the development of the ground, amid applause. The Mayor guaranteed that the sports people v/ould only be off the present ground for one year if the scheme were started. All Flayers Must Work Speaking for the Rugby Union Mr Bogue said he was sure the Union would look after getting grounds for itself next season if the new ground were to be ready for the following season. He thought it was up to all the sports bodies to fend for themselves for the coming year, get their own temporary grounds, and not bother the Council with that aspect of the matter. The sports bodies must organise the financial side and he suggested the meeting should now go on to discuss that. Col. Swan suggested that the Aerodrome, might serve as a temporary sports area for next season. He thought there need be nc\ difficuity in raising the estimated cost if all were really keen on it. Given a committee of thirty really keen people, all willing to take actual part in the work over a period of several months, the money could be secured. Mr Burge suggested that a committee be set up at once to undertake raising the finance. The Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, said that the meeting seemedj in favour of going on with the general plan of developing the sports ground, and thought that a committee could be set up, and that it should be fully representative of all sports bodies and also of the business people and all other sections of the public. Mr Woodward stressed the need for all players in all the sports to be actual workers in the scheme when it was started. Mr Vedder agreed and said that the deputation to Wellington suggested by Mr Young should not be overlooked. Temporary Committee Mr Curriq moved that Col. Swan be chairman of a committee to be set up to organise the raising of money to- carry out the development of the sports ground. Miss K. O. Lewis seconded the motion, which was carried with applause. The Mayor then asked Col. Swan to take the chair. Following discussion it was decided to set up a temporary committee representative of sports bodies and the public, which would organise a public meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 8. Col. Swan said that if that meeting, which all sports bodies' members should attend, was well attended, then the final committee could be set up and the job of raising the monqy gone on with. He stressed that the campaign could only be undertaken if the attendance - at the September meeting was large enough to show that the public was whole-heartedly behind the project. He felt sure they would be. The temporary committee elected was as follows: — Col. Swan, chairman; Mrs Laughton, secretary; Mr J. W. Woodward (Marching Girls), Mr Dennis Rameka (Referees' Assn.), Mr J. K. Bogue and Mr J. M. Stanley (Rugby Sub-union), Mr J. L. Burge (General Public), Mr GY A. Acres (Cricket and Badminton Clubs), Mr K. E. Young (Golf Club) Mr Currie (Businessmen), Mrs Bates (Basketball), Mr J. E. Story (Gymkhana Club, Mr Foote (Headmaster, High School). Col. Swan said he wished to mention that when it was said that all sports bodies would be expected to attend the September meeting in force, it should not be expected to include the Golf Club. That Club

already, through its own efforts, had its own course, and should not be expected to be represented as a body. He knew, of course, that it would assist, as would golfers individually. . He congratulated the Mayor on calling the meeting. Mr Woodward then rnoved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his initiative, saying that when the Marching Girls opened the sports ground matter by approaching the Council.not long ago he had not expected so prompt a response, and it was pleasingj to know the Council was behind the scheme. The motion was carried with aeclamation, and after iit had been decided to place plans of the proposed scheme in shop windows the meeting closed.