Hello Danyl,

I am completely sympathetic about the plight of the Creche. And I'm glad to hear that they have now found alternative temporary facilities. I agree with you about their being able to use Bandoliers. I have been to meetings with creche parents as they've sought alternatives and made exactly the point that you do, that children playing should be considered recreation. I hope that Mt Vic residents will get behind the creche and support this use of the Bandoliers site.

Another piece of history you may not be aware of is that the creche was looking at alternative space before the parish made the decision to sell. Crossways was not ideal given the considerable compliance burdens faced by early childhood programmes, even nfp ones. I have to say that the creche parents have been very good to work with and rather than accusing us of turning them out on to the street, have acknowledged the years of support given by the church.

On the issue of property prices. The Council subsidized the interest on the loan we took to do the construction work this year. The loss in value due to the changing property market was not covered. And while property prices have increased exorbitantly, so have construction costs. Every cent that comes from the sale of Crossways is going to the contract to restore St Andrew's. I'm sure there would have been a public outcry if we'd sold that building or let it fall down around us.

As I wrote earlier, we had to make a hard choice. And we chose the building that was of greater historic value and used by more members of the Wellington community.

I understand the Crossways Trust has found a new property to lease for community space in Mt Victoria. Most of the furniture and chattels from Crossways will be given to the Trust. The remaining small portion will go into community spaces at St Andrew's for purposes both sacred and social.

Margaret