24 Thursday <strong>June</strong> <strong>14</strong> <strong>2018</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Bathroom | Kitchen | Laundry | Outdoor Heating | Space Heating | Water Heating 293 Cranford Street (Showroom), St Albans P 366 7137 www.edwardgibbon.co.nz
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday <strong>June</strong> <strong>14</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 25 Opinion •Have your say on the stadium issue, email your views to bridget.rutherford@starmedia.kiwi Readers respond to <strong>Star</strong> Media chairman Nick Smith’s column last week about his views on the city’s stadium debate, its cost, who stands to benefit most, and who should pay for it. His column can be read at www.star.kiwi Cynthia Johnson – We have to have a new stadium and one with a roof on it. This is our chance to get our rebuild done right and a roofed stadium is the way to go. <strong>The</strong> insurance has been paid out on Lancaster Park and the Government has given our city council $300 million to do as it wishes. So let’s get on with the building of our new stadium. We are missing too many sporting events and concerts, which means our hospitality businesses CONCEPT: <strong>Star</strong> Media chairman Nick Smith (inset) gave his views on plans for a new stadium in Christchurch. are suffering. It’s insulting that Christchurch, which is the third biggest city in New Zealand (just behind Wellington), is dithering over this. No doubt there will be whiners twittering on about the ratepayers having to pay for this so called white elephant. Well, I am a ratepayer and I don’t use the library, swimming pools and cycleways, but I am not complaining about my rates being spent on these things. Everyone has their own interests and passions; Christchurch is a big city and should have the infrastructure to cater to everyone. And it’s also the right of the sporting and music fraternity to have their interests catered to. Nick Smith seems to be biased towards Dunedin. Trouble is Dunedin hasn’t the accommodation to cater to a lot of out of town visitors and Christchurch is three times the size of Dunedin, so not having a top notch stadium would be a disgrace and insult to our city. Tim Smith – I have just read the article in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> by Nick Smith, chairman of <strong>Star</strong> Media, regarding the stadium debate. <strong>The</strong>re are certain aspects of his views I find curious. While the rationale behind the rugby options and concerts was interesting, the clearer conclusion was that, somehow, he thinks Dunedin should have the monopoly on sporting events due to its covered stadium and that Christchurch could settle for the concerts as the other venue. I note with interest that he was chairman of CTV and that February 22, 2011, still haunts him (unsurprisingly). However, to seriously consider that his suggestion of venue sharing is an option beggars belief. Firstly, the capital spend and project identification process for Christchurch is exclusively about Christchurch. This is not about Dunedin. I for one am getting somewhat irked by references to some South Island sharing entity. Secondly, with more than three times the population and an international airport, does Mr Smith honestly think that ratepayers are satisfied with the status quo? I can inform him that the populace up here would not tolerate not having a sporting stadium for premier sporting events. Has he been to AMI Stadium in Addington lately? •Turn to page 26 IS BACK FOR A 5 th YEAR <strong>The</strong> Christchurch Art Show is back for a fifth year on the 22nd – 24th of <strong>June</strong>, at the Events Centre, <strong>The</strong> Wigram Air Force Museum of NZ! This is a great chance to get out in the middle of winter to view and purchase a wonderful variety of artwork. Opening Night is Thursday 21st <strong>June</strong>, 7pm. This is the exclusive opportunity to preview the exhibition. Ten signature artworks have been created for <strong>The</strong> Lawson’s Dry Hills People’s Choice Award <strong>2018</strong>. <strong>The</strong>se artists are, Marie Kjestrup Evans, Joel Hart, Yana Meech, Deborah Fuller, Susan Hurrell Fieldes, Odelle Morshuis, Liz Turnbull, Esther Dexter, Lisa Grennell, Janyne Fletcher. <strong>The</strong>ir works are available to see on the award wall, where you can vote for your favourite. Show days are 22nd <strong>June</strong> to 24 <strong>June</strong>. Cantabrians can visit the South Island’s largest art show and buy original quality artworks from established and emergent artists. All works are for sale, once purchased you can take your art home with you to enjoy. <strong>The</strong>re is a wide range of styles and mediums. Artists from all over New Zealand are present to talk directly with the public about their arts practices. Saturday 23rd <strong>June</strong> from 5pm – 8pm, night market food trucks will be parking up at <strong>The</strong> Christchurch Art Show to offer something delicious to visitors. Don’t miss out – this show is well worth a visit! Tickets are available online www.chchartshow.co.nz. $30 each opening night. $10 each for show days, 10yrs and under free, gold card holders $8.00. Car parking is free, café onsite and door sales available for show days.
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