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A sports stadium was built in a low-lying site near the railway line by relief workers during the Depression years. This is now Tavern Lane, the site of the Allan Brewster Recreation Centre. The aerial view was shot not long before it was opened on 24 October 1932. The railway line can be seen in the background. The caption on the original framed photograph reads 'Papatoetoe Town Board Cycling Stadium. Penetrated and sealed with emoleum'. The steeply banked cycling track had six laps to the mile, and was regarded at the time as one of the best in the country. There was a 220-yard grass running track in the centre. During the 1950 British Empire Games held in Auckland, competing cyclists used the stadium as a training track. The local athletic club used to meet at the stadium until it moved to Omana Road in 1979.