STADIUM! QUESTION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 6

STADIUM! QUESTION

MR SWARBRICK’S VIEWS CATERING FDR THE PUBLIC POINTS AGAINST HINEMOA PARK ‘’The provision of a stadium is a matter which requires careful consideration and a full knowledge of the facts and requirements of the district,” stated Mr F. A. Swarbrick, a member of the Hamilton Domain Board, replying to-day to criticism regarding his scheme for a stadium at Galloway Park which has been approved by the Domain Board. "A stadium is not a place for athletes to practice or for minor weekly sports meetings.” he said. “It is a facility required for special occasions when the public rather than the participants in the sport have to be catered for. Too Small for Big Fixture “Hinemoa Park with a few additional facilities such as are provided for in the Domain Board proposals can give all that is required for minor sports fixtures and also a training ground for athletes but it i$ too small to provide •the facilities required for the -public at a major fixture. Hinemoa Park can in the future serve a useful purpose for weekly games and minor fixtures but it can never be a stadium worthy of the town and district. There were 18.000 at the Springboks match last year on a very wet day. A stadium at j Hinemoa Park could accommodate at most only 15.000. “The statement that certain factors have not been considered by the •Domain Board is not correct,” said Mr Swarbrick. ‘ True, the discussion was not reported by the press but they were considered and discussed nevertheless. “As one who assisted in drafting the statute affecting the showground* I could hardly be unaware of its provisions. Anyone who has considered the showgrounds as a site for a major sports fixture knows that it is quite out of the question. The Rugby Union. I understand, considered the showgrounds for the last Springbok match but found that the facilities at Rugby Park, inadequate .as they undoubtedly are, were better. The showgrounds are laid out for a show and for trotting fixtures and are unsuitable for football, hockey, alihletioe or ofther sports. The main stand is opposite the extreme end of any playing area that -could be laid out and then is 70 yards away. Even if the stands could be moved abput to suit the occasion the facilities would still be Inadequate, for the stands at the showgrounds cannot cater for 18,000 spectators. No,Bport Neglected “If we are to have a stadium we must have one adequate for the district and which can compete with other stadia for the major sports fixtures. The Domain Board can cater for the general sports requirements and provide all the grounds required for athletics,” he added. “A stadium is for the public who want to witness a spectacle and does not add to the facilities for our youth to indulge in sport. If the stadium is required let us provide it- If not, then why spend £SOOO on what would be only an apology for one at Hinemoa Park?”