View report page

44
Whilst he would have been prepared to support the scheme, even
if it had been at great cost to the District, the truth was that,
despite the loan charges on the buildings and the cost of running
them, there would be little, if any, call on the ratepayers. In the
future, when the loan charges had been paid off and the centres
were used even more than they were at the present time, the cost
would be less than the previous method of hiring local halls. With
all the help received from the bodies who had rented us our previous
premises one could not compare the facilities there with these we
now had, for the new centres were designed and built for the very
purpose for which they were going to be used.
The centres have now been in use for nearly a year, and like all
those who have to build, certain faults have been realised in connection
with them, and, good as they are, I feel that no harm can
arise from stating such faults as have been discovered.
In the first place, the echo is somewhat severe and makes
lecturing very difficult. In the second place, the weighing room is
small. On the other hand, these three centres are not built without
a view to the future. They are so designed and constructed that a
second floor can be placed upon them should it be necessary to meet
future demands, whilst in the case of St. Stephen's Road and Lincoln
Road there is sufficient space on the site to build an extension for
such purpose as may be found to be necessary.
In each case a satisfactory perambulator shed has been provided,
and in 1936 the surrounding ground will be laid out with
shrubs and bushes.
I am glad to think that I was Enfield's Medical Officer of Health
during the period when these centres were planned and built, and I
know that this is the thought of every Member of the Maternity and
Child Welfare Committee and the Council, in that something has
been achieved of lasting value, and because it is a step which should
go far to improve the health and wellbeing of the mothers and
children of the District.