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“Army Comes to the Rescue On Club’s Park Project”

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Description: These images were published in the July 9th, 1978 edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper.

The captions read: “(Above): Army machinery at work on the rite of McGreevy Park. (Right): What the huge bowl-shaped park looks like now, with plenty of earthwork yet to be done.”

Extracts from the article:” Men and machines from the New Zealand Army are helping to transform a clay and gravel pit in Palmerston North into a five-hectare sports ground. Earthmovers and army personnel from Linton’s 5th Support Squadron, under the command of Major T. Dench, have been working in the former Brick and Pipe Company Limited pit since September, and have already transformed the site from its former wasteland appearance, the publicity officer of the Palmerston North End Associated Football Club, Mrs Joan Cordford, told the "Tribune" The new park will be known as McGreevy Park. Although the completion date for the six playing grounds is almost 10 years away, it's hoped that some of the grounds can be in use in "a couple of years or so”, she said. The project is costing about $250,000 altogether, and the park is between Ruahine and Vogel Streets.”

“The club has been undertaking its own working bees on the park, and is pressing on with drainage work and developing the training area. Tree and shrub planting and a boundary wall will be the next projects for the club, she said. It’s not known when the army's involvement will cease, as "They're doing what they can when they can,” she said The park is being constructed in four stages, and will include a gymnasium, pavilion, car park, and possibly a swimming pool and tennis courts in addition to its six grounds The playing grounds will cater for soccer in the winter (the club has 22 teams), and several different sports in the summer. The intention is for the area to be a multipurpose recreational area. The club signed an agreement for purchase of the park land in May.”

These images form part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.