Sardukarn
09-03-2006, 11:34 AM
Sorry - from a while back - forgot to post it ..
ABC Goldfields Special (http://www.abc.net.au/goldfields/stories/s1571501.htm)
A paintball makeover
Thursday, 16 February 2006
Presenter: David Kennedy
In an ABC Goldfields-Esperance exclusive, the local morning show released details and plans for one of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's iconic eyesores on Hannan Street.
The hippodrome, which is part of the Eastern Goldfields Heritage Trail, even though it is boarded up and covered in graffiti, has been named as a possible business development for a local businessman.
The ABC understands the hippodrome may be converted into a paintball games arena and amusement centre.
Originally opened in 1908, the hippodrome has stood empty and derelict for nearly a decade and had a specially imported German composition floor for roller-skating.
It later became a popular dance hall, then an engineering works, ammunition factory (during WWII), skate park and roller drome.
Speaking to the local morning show on ABC Goldfields-Esperance, Mayor Ron Yuryevich is relieved there is finally some business movement at the lower end of Hannan Street, the entry statement to the town.
"Council staff and council have bent over backwards to encourage development of that area. And to that end, prior to Christmas last year, we approved a paintball or amusement centre basically and that planning approval is current for two years," Mayor Yuryevich said.
"This seems like a serious application, we are very happy with that.
"I am particularly interested in this, because I think this is a great activity for kids to get in there and expend some energy rather than running around the streets," the Mayor said on ABC radio.
How does the Mayor feel that the historical building will be used as a paintball-shooting arena?
"I know it's an issue that some people don't agree with (in regards to paintball shooting), but at the end of the day, I'd rather have them running around in a controlled environment than running around the streets doing nothing," he said.
ABC Goldfields Special (http://www.abc.net.au/goldfields/stories/s1571501.htm)
A paintball makeover
Thursday, 16 February 2006
Presenter: David Kennedy
In an ABC Goldfields-Esperance exclusive, the local morning show released details and plans for one of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's iconic eyesores on Hannan Street.
The hippodrome, which is part of the Eastern Goldfields Heritage Trail, even though it is boarded up and covered in graffiti, has been named as a possible business development for a local businessman.
The ABC understands the hippodrome may be converted into a paintball games arena and amusement centre.
Originally opened in 1908, the hippodrome has stood empty and derelict for nearly a decade and had a specially imported German composition floor for roller-skating.
It later became a popular dance hall, then an engineering works, ammunition factory (during WWII), skate park and roller drome.
Speaking to the local morning show on ABC Goldfields-Esperance, Mayor Ron Yuryevich is relieved there is finally some business movement at the lower end of Hannan Street, the entry statement to the town.
"Council staff and council have bent over backwards to encourage development of that area. And to that end, prior to Christmas last year, we approved a paintball or amusement centre basically and that planning approval is current for two years," Mayor Yuryevich said.
"This seems like a serious application, we are very happy with that.
"I am particularly interested in this, because I think this is a great activity for kids to get in there and expend some energy rather than running around the streets," the Mayor said on ABC radio.
How does the Mayor feel that the historical building will be used as a paintball-shooting arena?
"I know it's an issue that some people don't agree with (in regards to paintball shooting), but at the end of the day, I'd rather have them running around in a controlled environment than running around the streets doing nothing," he said.