Matters arising from the Christchurch City Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee today.

A proposal to create an amphitheatre to cater for 100,000 people has been suggested for North Hagley Park.

Anthony Lealand and his daughter, Magenta, told the committee that an amphitheatre would ensure everyone could see. A stage could be provided in the south end.

The sloping banks could be created from hard fill from building demolitions and other unrecyclable materials, he said.

An amphitheatre would not destroy the vista in the park but provide good views.

"It could be argued that I am flying a very large kite. We are seeing many events in Christchurch and this could present them in the best possible way," Mr Lealand said.

Cr Barry Corbett asked if Hagley Park was the right place and suggested the old Halswell quarry might be better. Mr Lealand said the planting programme prevented the quarry being used.

The committee will seek a report on the matter.

Bridge for 2000

Cr Carole Anderton said a new bridge across the Avon River from Park Terrace into North Hagley Park was an exciting venture.

Cr Anna Crighton said the next stage for the Turning Point 2000 project was to seek resource consent.

Funding was secured at about $285,000. The bridge, by artist Andrew Drummond, was selected by judges in a competition and will be in brass sheeting.

Cr Paddy Austin said it was beautiful and was an immediate hit with all the judges.

Porritt Park expansion

Support was given to Canterbury Hockey Association’s plans to provide a second artificial turf pitch at Porritt Park.

It also recommended that consideration be given to a request for a grant of $300,000 in the next annual plan and a four-year commitment of $100,000 a year from the 2000-2001 financial year.

Lyall Matchett, a manager in the Leisure Unit, said the development of the park was a necessary progression for the sport in Canterbury.

Canterbury Hockey was looking at its immediate funding requirements but also the future replacement of the turfs.

Power cable insurance

Orion NZ Ltd wants to put underground power cables across Linwood Park. The parks manager, Craig Oliver, told the committee they would be placed under concrete and not hamper any development of the park.

He said it was not unusual for power cables to go through parks and the cable was needed as an insurance to ensure that the Auckland power failure did not happen in Christchurch.

Cr Corbett said if the cable did not go through the park it would cause huge traffic disruption in the area.

The two 66,000kva cables would be 1m below the ground.

The committee gave the go-ahead.

Grandstand on move

A grandstand at English Park will be moved to Ruapuna Motorsport Reserve in time for the New Zealand Grand Prix race this year.