If only the benches could talk

Above: The Petone Rec grandstand in its former glory. Credit: Petone Borough Council collection.

• By Touchline

“Patrons of the Petone recreation ground are to be denied the use of the grandstand at the ground in future owing to the unsafe condition of the building,” declared the Dominion newspaper (forerunner of today’s “Post”), 89 years ago.

Back then, the Petone Borough Council had intended to replace the old wooden building on the Petone Recreation Ground with “a fine modern structure”, but when a ratepayers poll (supported and actively promoted by the Petone Rugby Football Club’s membership) was initially taken on the council’s proposal to raise a loan for 5,000 pounds [$363,637.15 in today’s dollars] for the dismantling of the existing stand and the erection of the new one, it was not carried.

In perhaps shades of the present day, in 1937 (at the time that the old grandstand was condemned), the basement of the building continued to be used for dressing purposes, while the public was denied access to the seating accommodation above. “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose!”, as Monsieur (or Madame) Petone today might well observe.

In November the following year (1938), the matter of the borough raising a loan of 10,000 pounds from the Government’s Loans Board was put to the Petone ratepayers, with 77% of those who voted, voting in favour of the proposal, with work to be completed in time for the celebration of the golden jubilee of the borough in November 1939. The current building was designed by well-known Wellington architect William Edward Lavelle.

The current building then, was brought into existence with solid ratepayer support, and reflects the civic pride of “the village”, (as it is now more commonly referred to). Petone Borough survived a further 50 years, before being merged into Lower Hutt in 1989. Sadly, amalgamations (whether clubs or communities) seldom benefit the minority party, with the current Mayor of Hutt City declaring this week that, “the Petone grandstand has no future.” A bold statement indeed!

Noting the Mayor’s sentiment will be contested by many local residents, Touchline suggests that the grandstand’s “past” as an iconic location from which to observe and enjoy local community sport, should wisely inform decisions about its future.

As has been said, “if we believe in nothing, if nothing has any meaning and if we can affirm no values whatsoever, then everything is possible and nothing has any importance.” No doubt those who have sat in the well-worn wooden seats at any time over the past 89 years, would have something to say in response.

Whether the local Petone community believes in the future of the Grandstand is perhaps a question that should be put to them, as it was in 1937.

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The grandstand in use in recent years.