Sports centre for CU soon

NZSPA Reporter

Christchurch, — A £250,000 sports centre for the University of Canterbury is being planned for a site adjoining the new Student Union at Ilam.

Described as a complex of facilities for every kind of indoor sport, the centre will have features unmatched in New Zealand, according to a statement from the new gymnasium planning committee.

Accommodation requirements include:

• • A sports hall about 120 feet by 80 feet (with gallery), which will provide a full basketball court or two practice courts; four badminton courts; three volley-ball courts; perhaps indoor tennis; and other games.
• • A large gymnasium, about 90ft by 50ft, for formal gymnastics, fitness classes, training programmes, with sufficient flexibility for interchange of some activities with the sports hall.
• • Speciality rooms for weight-lifting, judo, and creative dance.
• • Six squash rackets courts.
• • A theatre for lectures, films and meetings.
• • A heated and covered swimming pool about 25yds by 15yds. for recreational rather than competitive swimming with a diving pool attached.
• • Changing rooms, shower rooms, locker rooms and similar facilities.

The students' association has been raising funds for the project. It will qualify for a government subsidy, but more finance will be required, said Mr. Anderson.