Letters: Is Spriggens Park up to scratch for rugby?

Waverley Harvesting Border's Craig Clare finds space during Saturday's match against Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at Spriggens Park. Photo / Lewis Gardner

Watched a game of rugby at Spriggens Park, once the cream of rugby grounds, on Saturday.

In my opinion, the ground is a disgrace and has been this way for years. Some years ago I walked the ground - it was all weed, especially where Pirates practised - it also had hollows, it was not a ground the players could play well on.

At the moment someone has had a wake-up and tried to do a patch-up, put soil in the ponds and reseeded a week ago. It should have had a complete makeover in September so that now it would be a beautiful sward, at the moment on a wet day it will be unplayable.

When I walked the ground years ago I went to the parks and reserves boss, could not get to see him straight off took a couple of tries, then when I tried to explain to him what should be done he quoted ridiculous figures as to costs.

I said if those costs were true there would be no cropping in New Zealand.

I said a rural contractor would come in, spray, put the rippers through, then the power harrow maybe three times in three weeks to germinate the weeds, run the leveller over, then sow the grass on the surface, run the harrow through again to get an even spread of the seed, job done.

Contractors do this all the time, the rugby union and the council need to take a look at themselves.

We go to see good rugby - you can't play well without a good surface.

GARTH SCOWN
Whanganui

Velodrome debate

Accidental or deliberate social media misinformation explains the mess around the velodrome.

There are three options, not two. Mayor Hamish now says, "It's more about 'budgetary considerations'." Perhaps a small window opens for a win-win between Option 2 and 3?

Surveys show the public do want a roof and wide sports/events usage. The council is committed to a roof and has been so for two years, has put money put aside and, this is reflected in the draft LTP position.

The myth that the velo team want a roof solely for a few elite cyclists is simply a lie. They have always sought the essentialness of a full roof as promised by the council and, as wide a public use as possible for paying audiences and sports/event hirers alike.

We are invited to make submissions. I know many very high profile sports groups and persons will appear and seek a compromise.

The majority of councillors want a roof for one cycling track, and due to initial poor concept design, maybe two other related sports at $20 million?

The Government has made it clear that for a 55 per cent funding of the $20 million, or the disputed $36.4 million, that it needs be a detailed submission, within the next 12-18 months and it must "maximise usage"? There is a joint way forward.

Why would the council submit a $20 million application for one sport plus two? Would you say that's doomed from the start, and one would ask, why would that be?

ROSS FALLEN
Whanganui