Star Rugby Club's Memorial Gymnasium is more commonly known as the 'Star Gym' and may not remembered as a memorial to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War II.
The Star Rugby Club (formed in 1889) along with the Tukapa Rugby Club combined to purchase an area of 11 ½ acres of land to the south and west of the then Rugby Park in 1950. The intention initially was to provide more playing fields but thought soon turned to building a gymnasium. By March 1951 the club had already raised £3,680 and attention turned to securing Government funding (£ for £) as part of the War Memorial Subsidy scheme. The club set an ambitious target of £10,000 (with the same to be provided by the Government) and fundraising moved into high gear. With the money successfully secured by June 1953, the next step was to finalise plans and specifications. Eventually tenders were called for in February 1956, a tender accepted in April, and work began. The architect was M.G.B. Harvey and the building contractors were J.H. Ashman (N.P) Ltd.
The building was officially opened on 30 March 1957 by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr S.W. Smith. A memorial plaque in the foyer was unveiled by the president of the New Plymouth RSA, Mr W.D. Saunders. The dedication service was led by the Rev. Sadler. In his speech Mr Smith commended the decision to build a gymnasium as "something more useful than a stone monument", but urged people to always remember it was a memorial. Club president, Mr D. Parkin, told the crowd that members had served in three wars and in WW II about 200 were in the armed service and 21 were killed.
In the following years, the supper room was enlarged, a stage was built and the walls lined, bringing the total cost to an estimated £25,000.
In November 1990 the Star Rugby Club and Spotswood College Old Boys Rugby Clubs merged to form the Spotswood United Rugby Football & Sports Club Inc.
Further reading: Star Rugby Football Club Centennial 1889 to 1989 (TRCT796.333 STA pp.53-55)
Related items:
Excavations started (Taranaki Daily News 5 March 1956)
Star Rugby Club Memorial Gym Opening Advertisement (Taranaki Daily News 30 March 1957)
Star Rugby Club Memorial Gym Opening - Photo (Taranaki Daily News 1 April 1957)
Star Rugby Club Memorial Gym Opening (New Plymouth Photo News 10 April 1957 Issue #3)
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