Council candidate John Bishop has called on the current council to
reconsider its stand against more artificial playing pitches for sports
people in Wellington.

"It is not too late for the current Council to change its current capital
expenditure programme and to get some pitches built over summer so that they
are ready for the next winter.

When considering the annual plan the council voted 10 to five against more
artificial pitches, but "this stance has been widely criticised and is now a
major election issue," Mr Bishop who is standing in the Lambton Ward said.

"I have backed building more pitches and sooner than currently planned by
the council and I am certainly not the only candidate to take this stand.

"For week after week this winter, kids have had their sport cancelled
because the appalling weather has made the grounds unplayable. No parent or
kid wants that to happen again.

"If this council acts quickly in the 28 days it has left, it could easily
agree to spend the money and tenders could be let for construction of at
least half a dozen pitches over summer.

"I want the council to show positive leadership on this issue," Mr Bishop
said.

"Do it now councillors, for the sake of the kids who play sport, for their
long suffering parents and for the thousands of adults who are now taking up
sport. Make it your legacy. Do it for Wellington."

Notes

Wellington City Council's Annual Plan states on page 77 that $439 000 has
been budgeted in the current year for operational expenditure on 'synthetic
turf sportsfields' and a further $568 000 is budgeted for capital
expenditure. Income is given at $175 000. This means that the council's net
expenditure from rates is $832 000.

ends

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