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Selwyn Park Use A Balancing Act

Friday 30 May 2008, 2:04PM

By Kaipara District Council

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DARGAVILLE

Kaipara District Council had to balance possible inconvenience to users of Selwyn Park with the public desire to see a popular circus show in Dargaville when allowing Loritz Circus to use the Park this week.

The circus staged shows at the park on 27 and 28 May and in the process caused ground damage, including rutting, which made the soccer field unusable for Queens Birthday weekend matches.

Contractors are currently repairing the damage and Council will recover the cost from the circus owners.

Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole says the circus was given permission to use Selwyn Park, conditional on a refundable $500 bond to ensure grounds were left as found, plus $300 site rental.

The agreement also stipulated that if ground conditions were too wet the circus might have to find an alternative site. However this did not appear necessary at the time.

“We are surprised and disappointed at the state the park was left in” Mr Soole said.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience to the soccer players and supporters but Council was keen to give Dargaville a chance to see the circus here. The circus and other big shows want a high profile site, like Selwyn Park, that is close to the town and that people can walk to. Such places are limited.”

As a result of this incident, Kaipara District Council will review its criteria for the use of Selwyn Park.