Stadium at Galloway Park

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20731, 15 February 1939, Page 11

Stadium at Galloway Park

SITE APPROVED DOMAIN BOARD’S PLAN 37,000 SPECTATORS; COST £5733 LEVY ON THREE LOCAL BODIES Galloway Park, Hamilton East, is to be the site of Hamilton’s sports stadium. This decision was made by the Hamilton Domain Board last evening, when a scheme to build a sports ground at the park to accommodate 37,000 spectators at an approximate cost of £5733 was approved. Notices to be served on the Hamilton Borough Council, the Waikato County Council and the Waipa County Council for proportionate contributions towards the expense will be drafted Immediately and the matter Is proposed to be settled finally at a special meeting of the Domain Board next week. Without any major objection the board favoured Galloway Park as a more favourable site for a sports stadium than Hinemoa Park and. in view of the urgency of the question, it was proposed to expedite the scheme as rapidly as possible. With the exception of the chairman. Mr W. H. Paul, a full board sat to discuss the proposals. In Mr Paul's absence through indisposition. Mr F. A. Swarbrick occupied the chair. After objections regarding the proposal to impose levies had been heard from the Waikato County Council and the Waipa County Council. Mr ?warbrick said the board's action in consulting the local bodies regarding representation on the board and the possible levies had been informal only. If was either necessary for the hoard to carry nn with its scheme by serving the requisite notices on the local bodies or to abandon Lhc proposals of ! improving sporting facilities in Ham- | ill on allege I her. lie added that Mr | R. G. Howell, assistant engineer of the Waikato County Council, had prepared a plan for tile construction of a stadium at Galloway Park. Detailed Plan 'Mr Howell staled in his report that his scheme had been designed from the point of .view of utilising to the fullcsl extent, ail the natural physical features of lhc ground. "in a scheme such as (his it is essential. even considering all other aspecis. to bring the location and layout to such a situation and elevation as i will, as nearly as possible., produce balanced earthwork and satisfactory general drainage. This result has been achieved on the plans submitted,” he stated. The stadium provides for all national sports such as Rugby, Rugby league, soccer, hockey, cricket, basketball, band contests, and athletic running and cycling tracks to championship standard, while the terracing system would enable up to 37,000 spectators to obtain a reasonably clear view of the sports in progress. Also, I if the cycling track was available for spectators, the number could be increased to well over 40.000 people. The following > a brief resume of the works included in the scheme:— (a) General excavation, filling and trimming to payout indicated on the plans (15.500 cubic yards). Also grading and trimming of access paths and parking areas: b removal and later replacement of topsoil over areas to be grassed, with a quantity of better topsoil provided for special areas: (c) paving of cycling track with suitable asphaltic material; (d) construction of concrete kerbing along terrace fronts: (e) construction of open and pipe drains to convey water from whole i area to main drain along western side 'of Fox Street: (f) working up soil. 1 topdressing and sowing grass-seed over all areas to be grassed; (g) erection of stand and dressing-rooms, ticket offices; (h) erection of enclosure railings; (j) sanding of access paths. The. scheme was estimated to cost j approximately £5733, including £2050 for the buildings. Mooting All Requirements M lt would appear,” said Mr Howe!!, j ‘‘that the scheme as designed would . meet all future sports requirements in j Hamilton, both as regards actual play- : ing areas and spectators' accommodai tion for various types of important : sports fixtures. Development of the j park is not limited by this scheme as i there is still ample space available for j development of tennis courts, croquet i lawns, bowling greens and other i sports areas. Beautifying of the j eastern face of the hiil by the planti ing of shrubs and frees would result in a pleasing approach to the stadium. Commenting on the merits of Galloway Park as opposed to those of Hinemoa Park as a stadium site. Mr Howell said that in his opinion there could be no reasonable comparison drawn between the two schemes. For almost an equal expenditure provision could be made at Galloway Park for 37.000 spectators as against 15.000 at Hine- ! moa Park. Some people advanced j the argument that provision of a sta.I dium with accommodation for such a I large number of spectators was look- ! ing too far ahead. Such an argu- | ment was surely ridiculous, else why j were such institutions as town plan- | ning being adopted? The present con- ! gestion in the town areas of Hamilton i might be cited as an example of failure | to plan for the future. : “Hinemoa Park can never be develi oped beyond the scope of the scheme put forward and it would, therefore, not appear to be sound practice to fully develop that area only to find in a few years that accommodation was inadequate. Location Question “I cannot agree with the principle that it is essential to locate a sports : stadium close to other sports areas I such as Rugby Park. Seddon Park 1 and so forth, and I do not think it necessary that the stadium should be close to a railway station. The number of people journeying to a sports meeting by rail is surely infinitesimal compared with the number journeying by motor-car, and in any case sports auflmriti'V may easily arrange f"r buses for special fixtures. Assuming thai some Rugby fixture | the crowd uuuiJ be drawn from ou:-

side Waikato. Bay of Plenty and Auckland centres, an»l from my experience I would say that most of these people would arrive by car, with only a smattering by rail, so that the question of location 'does not appear so important for big fixtures at least. “The only consideration affected by the situation of the stadium i-s that of ordinary local athletic meetings and local training facilities,” he said. “For tilts purpose it, would be to advantage to develop partially Hinemoa Park, to enable tho athletic club and other bodies to hold the usual weekly sports meetings, and also to provide facilities for training for athletes living in that particular part of Hamilton.” Mr SwaroricK said the Galloway Park stadium would cost only from £750 to £IOOO less than the scheme proposed for Hinemoa Park. No spoil would be required for the construction of a stadium at Galloway Park and. therefore, all cartage costs were eliminated. “The question now,” ssaid Mr Swarbrick, “is should we go ahead and serve the necessary notices on the local bodies for contributions? We have been unable to reach an agreement with the local authorities, and it is now the only avenue open to us. The matter of representation on the Domain Board is, after all, only a secondary consideration and should not be allowed to interfere with the progress of our scheme.” He aj>ked the members of the board for their views on the question of either favouring thp Galloway Park scheme or, in lieu of that, the two projects at Hinemoa Park and Rugby Park respectively. The latter schemes would cost in the vicinity of £II,OOO. “Two Bites Foolish” “In my opinion,” added Mr Swarbrick, “a stadium at Galloway Park would cater for all the requirements of sports bodies and would cost only about £6OOO. It seems to me foolish to take two bites at the cherry. The I Rugby Union is certainly prepared to 1 finance the major portion of their scheme, however.” Mr J. B. Fow said that if the board constructed the Galloway Park stadium it need not be concerned about expenditure at Rugby Park as the Rugby Union could use Galloway Park stadium for major representative fixtures. “I do not think there is any comparison between the sites, and the Galloway Park scheme, is, in my opinion, surprisingly cheap. I am very much in favour of it, as it makes provision for the future. In years ahead the people of Hamilton will say the Domain Beard did the right thing in making farsighted preparations.” “Parking is one of the considerations we must take notice of,” said Mr H. H. Howden, “and 1 think the excellent parking facilities at Galloway Park is one of the major attributes of the site. Either Hinemoa Park or Rugby Park require parking to be on the streets and the Mme may come when that will no longer be permitted.” “I approve of th£ Galloway Park scheme.” commented Mr F. W. Platts, “for I think it has every feature in its favour.” While being interested In the scheme of the Rugby Union for the improvement of Rugby Park. iMr W. Fraser said he considered, as far as the interests of the toxvn were concerned, that Galloway Park was the better site for the construction of a stadium. He did not think the park was too far from the town, as the practice in other towns throughout the world appeared to be to build stadiums away from the heart of the municipality. Galloway Park was the only natural site for a stadium and Hinemoa Park was definitely too small. Bigger Stand Suggested “I think the Galloway Park scheme .is excellent.” remarked Mr H. D. Caro. Mayor of Hamilton. He said he thought the stand accommodation should be made greater so that accommodation for 3000 would be provided instead of about 500, which would be possible if the estimate of £20*50, was adhered to. He did not consider the local bodies would object ! to the extra expenditure as it would ! make little difference to the rates they would levy to meet the expenditure. “I think we ought to construct a stadium in Hamilton that everyone will be proud of. It would be better to go ahead, with this scheme rather than the one for Hinemoa Park as it is more up-to-date and would provide for the future, which Hinemoa Park could never do,” he said. “It seems amazing to me,” said Dr. H. Douglas, “that the scheme can be accomplished for so little expenditure. Without the stand the scheme would cost about £3700 only.” Dr. G. W. Gower suggested that a big stand might be used only once in five years or so, and it would mean a big monetary outlay just for that. Mr Caro admitted that to be one of the objections of the minor sporting bodies such as cricket and athletics. It was decided to have an architect prepare estimates regarding a bigger stand, and the matter will be considered at the special meeting next week. Steele Park and Seddon Park nn the motion of Mr Platts the board adopted the* scheme for the construction of a stadium at Galloway Park. The local bodies will be asked to contribute that portion of the cost not covered by a Government grant, less £IOOO to be met by the Domain Board. Of the local bodies' share, the Hamilton Borough Council will be levied for two-thirds, and the Waikato and Waipa Counties one-sixth each. Mr Swarbrick considered that the board should not ask the Government to grant the entire finance for the scheme. Dr. Gower said he did not want the board to lose sight of the necessity for improving Steele Park and Seddon Park. He had estimates of the costs of the-se schemes prepared and submitted them to the board. It was decided to call tenders for the work at these parks and to consider the scheme at the special meeting of the board. Mr Swarbrick said hp had approached the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association for permission to use sports grounds at the showgrounds while Steele Park and -eddon Park were being improved. The association had requeued conference between the Domain Board, the association. and the sports bodies interfere appointed to represent the board at tlie meeting.