Whitehorse Daily Star

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Tony Gaw, Ashley Beggs, Don White and Grant Zazula

Sports facility receives strong endorsements

The $8-million outdoor sports facility being proposed for Whistle Bend

By Stephanie Waddell on March 24, 2015

The $8-million outdoor sports facility being proposed for Whistle Bend would be a much-needed public space that could benefit all Yukon soccer players, track and field athletes and possibly other sporting enthusiasts well into the future.

That was the message delivered to council Monday evening over a period of an hour and a half.

Nine residents urged the rezoning of a section of 7.17 hectares of land off Casca Boulevard near Whistle Bend Way to allow for the complex.

The comments – accompanied by another 39 written submissions (37 in support, two raising concerns) on the subject – came as part of public hearing on the rezoning.

As it’s proposed, the territorial government would build the facility, with the Yukon Outdoor Sports Complex Association tasked with operating it.

Phase 1, to be built in 2016, would include up to two FIFA regulation soccer fields and an IAAF standard rubberized track as well as space for field events like long-jump. Bleachers, parking and fencing would also be installed on the site.

The site at Whistle Bend will have to be rezoned for the project to move ahead, with that falling under the jurisdiction of city council.

Public hearings are held on rezoning applications prior to second and third readings coming forward.

Overwhelming support for the facility was expressed at last night’s session, primarily by soccer players with a few track and field athletes also coming forward.

Along with the nine who spoke were about 30 in the gallery, including about a dozen kids decked out in their soccer uniforms.

“It’s a place for everybody to play,” Whitehorse Minor Soccer president Grant Zazula said. He made the observation after noting his group represents 900 young soccer players of all levels who take advantage of various programs each summer.

Council members have pointed out the facility would not serve the neighbourhood as an open space residents can simply drop by to kick a ball around when they want.

Supporters at last night’s meeting acknowledged that though that is indeed the case, the complex would serve the public in much the same way other local facilities do which operate on a user-pay system.

Many choose to cite the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club as an example, among others. That point is not lost on Coun. Mike Gladish, who works full-time as the club’s manager.

He questioned whether the $20,000 estimate to operate the outdoor sports complex annually would be sufficient. He pointed out the ski club – a volunteer non-profit organization – is pushing $200,000 in its budget for staffing alone.

Tony Gaw, who heads up the complex association, asserted the estimated cost is correct. He noted a soccer centre and track facility does not involve the same level of equipment and maintenance as a ski facility.

“Generally speaking, there’s not much maintenance,” Gaw said, arguing such a facility requires about eight hours’ attention in a given week.

“It’s going to be done on a skinny budget.”

Fees have not yet been established, but Gaw noted the user-pay system would fund the operations. Any cash for continued capital work in future phases would come from other fund-raising efforts.

The need for an artificial-turf outdoor facility is evident, supporters said. They mentioned dog feces, broken sprinkler heads, gopher holes and other hazards that have become all too common on existing pitches.

Zazula described the state of the fields as “embarrassingly awful,” leading the call for an investment in the future for the city through the proposed sports facility.

By fencing it and having it dedicated to sport use only, vandalism can be avoided and players would avoid coming into contact with dog droppings and other hazards, it was stressed.

“We have to be able to track the users,” Gaw said.

Others pointed out artificial turf fields are becoming the norm across the country.

Gaw noted several facilities in B.C. he visited and coached at during a recent tournament.

Ashley Beggs recalled her own previous experience playing soccer for the University of Western Ontario as well as Team Ontario.

Overall, she said, most universities have moved to artificial turf fields. In Ontario, Brock University is the only one left to play on traditional grass fields.

At the University of Toronto, soccer can be played all year on the turf fields thanks to a dome that covers the facility.

“It is different,” Beggs said of playing on artificial turf. It’s a big “disservice” to Yukon players who don’t have access to the type of facilities that are standard elsewhere, she added.

Track and field athletes are faced with similar challenges, council heard.

Don White, who’s been coaching track and field in the territory since 1987, described the challenge of taking athletes to competitions Outside.

None of the Yukon athletes have had an opportunity to train on the same type of rubberized track they’re competing on, he pointed out.

“We don’t have anything like that here,” he said.

In his time, White has worked with runners on three different outdoor tracks.

None have been regulation size, and running on the gravel tracks here means the runners also don’t have an opportunity to break in spike running shoes that are worn on rubberized tracks.

That makes competing Outside particularly difficult.

In arguing proper facilities for track and field events would help draw more athletes to the sport, White drew on a line from the 1980s baseball movie Field Of Dreams, stating, “If you build it, they will come.”

He also went on to cite the cross-country ski facility as an example, remembering a time when skiing was not the popular sport it is today. The ski club facilities have had a significant role in expanding the number of skiers taking part in that sport, White said.

The track could also have a major impact on wheelchair athletes looking to train in the city.

“It opens up a lot more possibilities to people who are physically disabled,” White said.

He confirmed Jessica Frotten, a 2016 Paralympic-hopeful and winner of three silver medals in wheelchair races at the national track and field championships last summer, had stated if Whitehorse had the training facilities she needed, she would have remained in the Yukon.

White pointed out that a number of communities in the North – including Fairbanks and Juneau – have outdoor rubberized tracks, with the colder winter temperatures not having a major impact on the facilities.

Also on hand at the public hearing was Pat Molloy, the Yukon government’s director of land development.

There’s always been a plan for recreational facilities in the area, he said.

Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu was quick to note the optics around putting in a large recreational complex in a neighbourhood that another recreational group – the Yukon Horse and Rider Association – has been forced to leave to make way for the new subdivision.

Molloy countered that the territory has provided some funding for the group to relocate and would assist further in the move when it comes.

He also suggested the loss of space for potential housing in the area could be made up in future phases of Whistle Bend.

In addressing the concerns the facility would not serve as neighbourhood recreational space residents could drop in to such as a park or open field, Molloy noted the government had provided funding in phases one and two of Whistle Bend for those kinds of amenity spaces, and that would likely continue into future phases.

A public hearing report on the soccer centre will come forward at council’s April 7 meeting, followed by a vote on second and third reading April 13.

Mayor Dan Curtis attended Monday’s meeting by conference call.

Comments (31)

Up 0 Down 0

Parents and Grand Parents Youth are speaking on Mar 30, 2015 at 6:01 pm

Parents and Grand Parents it's time for you to speak up for youth in the Yukon because the liberals, NDP and the anti development movement are not standing up for our youth. History has shown that these groups will drive the Yukon into recession, like they have done before.

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Yukoner on Mar 30, 2015 at 4:10 pm

What's with all the Anti Youth people these days who will say anything to get their way. All I take from these comments is that people are tired of the few getting what they want on the tax payers backs. You try to make it sound like it's 70% of the population and that everyone hates kids. You know what it is, everybody is sick and tired of paying for you to play. Raise the money on your own if it's a must.

Up 18 Down 16

How many pitches do we need? on Mar 30, 2015 at 11:25 am

This has nothing to do the Liberals and NDP being anti youth. People are foolish to suggest such. There are plenty of very usable regulation grass pitches in the City. A faculty like this is suited for a place like the lower mainland of BC where it rains a lot, and soccer can be played outside year round. Not to mention a population to use it and volunteers to run it. Put the track back at FH after the school is done and let the kids play on the many "free" fields available to them, as they have being doing for years. Put the money into the always understaffed Whitehorse General Hospital. They need staffing updates now. That is something we can all benefit from. This is but one place where a sensible spending decision would make sense.

Up 16 Down 17

NDP and liberal against supporting 70% of the youth in the Yukon on Mar 28, 2015 at 7:52 pm

Sandy has already stated he's against supporting youth in COW which represents 70% of the youth in the Yukon. He only wants money for Dawson and Carmacks.
NDP don't support youth at all with their lack of statements or they don't know what to support. What a group of indecisive people in the NDP and Liberals for our youth. So the NDP and liberals don't know what to do in supporting youth.

Up 15 Down 20

Yukon has not only anti development but youth on Mar 28, 2015 at 1:52 pm

I wonder if the same people who are anti development, peel, are now anti youth.
Where is the Yukon going - down hill by the statements in this paper and the other paper.
You have the liberals and the NDP who don't want development, the peel and now youth. The anti movement only in the Yukon they say.

Up 13 Down 31

I was against this project but I have talked to young people who have grown up YT on Mar 28, 2015 at 10:31 am

Yukon Youth you are right on your statements. I have talked to people from the ages of 20 to 26 and they state that it is very important to help the youth. I can't believe how many people there are who are against supporting our youth. Step back and look at the facts of what is taking place. What I see is people who don't understand the situation with our youth and are only thinking of their views not the interest of youth.

Up 19 Down 14

ProScience Greenie on Mar 28, 2015 at 9:17 am

8 million dollars is not a small amount of money. Especially so when it is territorial money being spent in Whitehorse only, with no input from the Yukon as a whole.
When it comes to healthy activities for youth, there's 482026.5 km2 of wonderful wild spaces right outside CoW city limits and 416.5 km2 with to do the healthy and active thing.

$52 million for a new high schools isn't chump change either. Nor what was spend on the CGC, Sima and so much more.
Looks like we need more and better economic and civic education in our schools so our youth can learn that money does not grow on trees and local governments are not Santa Claus. Many adults in the Yukon could also benefit from a few refresher courses in that.

Up 17 Down 4

Atom on Mar 28, 2015 at 9:01 am

Now lets not forget there are facilities around Whitehorse for indoor and outdoor sports such as soccer and track.....if someone scooped up the dog poop and removed that pesky sprinkler head, I'm sure a lot of fun could still be had.
Lets keep the arguments factual and rational.

Up 20 Down 2

Lost in the Yukon on Mar 28, 2015 at 12:49 am

To "Yukon Youth" ... wow, you must work for YG if you can suggest that $8,000,000.00 is not much money. Try living on a fixed income and maybe your perspective will change.

Your flip remark is truly stunning.

Up 69 Down 47

Yukon youth on Mar 27, 2015 at 5:06 pm

8 million is a small price to pay to keep kids healthy and active. The reality that people don't realize is that if kids are playing sports they are not engaging in mischief or misconduct. It help develops a sense of commendatory and respect. Playing soccer keeps a beer out of their hands, running on the track keeps them away from the drug seen, playing with friends and the community keeps them from ending their life way too soon...
Please enlighten me on how many items that youth are involved in that receive the same public funding as other demographics?
This is only a fraction that needs to be invest in our young Yukon future!

Up 49 Down 28

ProScience Greenie on Mar 26, 2015 at 11:54 am

Squeaky wheel gets the grease - it's the Whitehorse way and to hell with the silent majority that have no say and have to pay for it all.

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jwhite on Mar 26, 2015 at 9:01 am

I would not be using this facility, and do not have any family members who would use it. Similarly, I do not use public transit, the cross country ski club, the off leash dog area, Mt. Sima, or the trail system. But I live in this community, and part of living in a community is that we all contribute to those features which make life better for our fellow citizens. I want to live in a place where 900 participants have a decent place to play soccer, without dodging gopher holes or dog poop. Similarly, I want to live in a place where young people have choices and opportunities for civilized recreation and interaction. If I didn't want to contribute to that type of vibrant community, then I can choose to go live in the bush.

This project may or may not be a good use of dollars. But could we at least focus the discussion on the proposal itself and stop this silly automatic negative reaction to every new community project?

Up 25 Down 53

Active Yukon Family on Mar 25, 2015 at 2:41 pm

I can see why those not involved in local sports might not support this facility, or understand why it is so exciting for others, but no need to attack those bringing it forward. All of the people pictured above volunteer their time generously in the youth and adult sport communities. They’re bringing something forward they think would benefit Yukoners, and have the knowledge of what is lacking for training & safety purposes.

I cannot tell you how pleased I would be if this complex became a reality. It would be a hot spot for me and my kids for years to come. And we’re just regular folks - not elitists, to my knowledge.

Of all the things that get funded in the territory (seriously - we live in paradise), I’m surprised at the vehement opposition to something that could benefit so many Yukon kids (and adults) both in Whitehorse and from the communities. Not to mention potential economic benefits from hosting events. But I’m sure I remember some naysayers when the Millennium Trail and CGC were being built, and those are staple family activity locations for thousands these days.

Up 24 Down 46

Josey Wales on Mar 25, 2015 at 10:15 am

Remember those four faces tax payers. When KD & the nobles ignore us and pander? Absolutely your taxes will RISE..AGAIN...MORE than before, as will the costs associated with this elitist crap, as will the POLARIZATION of "our" community.
A moratorium was put on CR subdividing via our overlords, why not put a moratorium of funding anymore elitist and special interest groups?
Ashley...I really do not care what Ontario is doing or has done. If you wish to use that "region" as an example of fiscal responsibility...your argument will get shredded by folks as I.

This will happen, this spend-fest via our cash...the overlords are merely pretending to be concerned about the voters and their money.
Hence my term political-blow holes, nobles and KD...as they DO feel they sit in a ivory castle annoyed with "their" subjects" and our dissent.
Funny how "we are outta land" but yet still can find these big open spaces for mega projects?
Silly me being shoe horned into a wee yard... is something we need to do, not they...the overlords of taxation.
Honestly I think riots may be needed be held in this town, as the taxation overlords are NOT hearing us.
...As has been said before, bad decisions are not like haircuts, they do not just "grow out" so you can start a new!

Up 78 Down 8

Who pays? on Mar 25, 2015 at 9:58 am

Let's see :25,000 people divided by three = 8333 taxpayers ; 8 million (8000000 / 8333 = 960.00 dollars ) for each taxpayer to fund this idealized luxury. For a lot of people this will be a tax increase of 20 to 25 % of already unjustified tax levels. They even had this council meeting staged with cliched proverbs and responses. What next I ask you?

Up 51 Down 25

Call it what it is on Mar 25, 2015 at 9:03 am

Although I am not adamantly opposed to this type of facility, what does upset me is don't say it will be good for Yukon. It will be good for Whitehorse and the main result the communities will see is even more advanced competition as they attempt to qualify for Yukon teams. The communities need to have all sorts of upgrades when is comes to recreation. I think Whitehorse has plenty.

Up 68 Down 10

Yukoner on Mar 25, 2015 at 8:33 am

I'm very against this. Where do I go to sign a petition? The city is wrong about all the people in favor of this. There are very few here that want this type of wasteful spending.

Up 58 Down 8

Salar on Mar 25, 2015 at 7:49 am

Way too much money for something for so few...you know Gau will be back hat in hand when the 'skinny budget' doesn't keep the carpet clean.....Whitehorse folks need a sense of scale.
And to young Beggs from Ontario......perhaps the happy soccer grounds are better there, because there are millions of people who unknowingly pay for them.....here we can expect more tax increases.
Am I the only person thinking....it's winter for 7 months of the year in the Yukon so how could a facility of this scale be proposed?...sorry, considered!
While its Fed money that would build it (and City taxes that would run it!), it would also drain the pot for the rest of the Yukon into the next decade. Yukon communities should have a say as well. Whitehorse wouldn't want to be self centered.

Up 74 Down 6

YTG don't fund this project on Mar 25, 2015 at 7:01 am

YTG don't fund this project. This is a wrong place to spend $8 million dollars.

Up 75 Down 11

Mandeep Sidhu on Mar 25, 2015 at 2:14 am

If The City Told the Truth:
One of the driving forces behind the proposed Soccer Field at Whistle Bend is to sell lots. If you build it they will come? You can’t sell lots. Investors, including those that Dan Curtis schmoozed with in France while the Sima debacle was going on have made it clear; there is no draw to Whistle Bend.

If people would drive out there they’d see how nice it is.
“The roads are already cracking.” “The sewer has backed up.” “The ground has shifted, damaging pipes.” “I didn’t put that fire hydrant there.” “When is my lot going to settle?” “It smells funny.” Verbatim comments and gripes I’ve heard.

Why haven’t any of the people supporting the building of these sports centers purchased a few of these lots, and subdivided them for more money? They’ll spend 8 million on a soccer field (tax money), but won’t spend their own to buy 120,000.00 lots? 50K tax breaks required?

The draw for Whistle bend isn’t there. (Search Whitehorse Star Archives “Whistle Bend”) COW requires that people purchase these lots because of their own investments/shenanigans. Or in other words how are you going to pay for all of those retirement packages if the money isn’t there?
Long term tax through a windfall from consecutive lot sales, that’s what I say!



But Dan Curtis didn’t say that about Whistle Bend. I’m sure he remembers the conversation we had after he became mayor and he was waiting for a bus outside City Hall by the Westmark.

Me in my truck, and a soft conversation of [extracted from memory]…

“… What was the France thing about?”

“Oh it was paid for by an investment group for me to travel there and promote Whistle Bend…”

“Why would you try to sell those lots?”
“Well between you and me Whistle Bend is a “sh!thole,” I’d never build there, I’ll wait till a nicer area opens up, maybe when your dad finishes the tank farm.”



There needs to be a draw to Whistle Bend. Talk to the developers. Talk to the contractors. When “well to do and long term” Yukon families who built Whistle Bend aren’t buying the lots… why would anyone else? The websites discussing this are now closed for fear of lawsuit.



So the draw for people will be… elderly and soccer!

No offense as a person who has played on a Yukon representative team. Think of the names O’Donavans, Jordans, Hoefs, Mack, Morrison, McDonald, etc. Those players all played on grass. And can still outperform players around the world. Great soccer players are great soccer players; whether on concrete or on a skating rink (go check out Youtube). Just because one of our players couldn’t hack it outside of the Yukon doesn’t mean none of them did. One major part of the Yukon identity is the ability to adapt to an environment that is natural and beautiful then thrive. Not forcing an environment to adapt to you. Let’s look at Whistle bend again, against any of our current neighborhoods. It’s an area where we should cut our losses and let it die. Even talking about Whistle Bend wastes taxpayers money.



Or as the saying goes,

“Don’t feed me sh!t and tell me its chocolate.”



As a side note: Never centralize any recreation. The 15 soccer fields we have are great because it creates a “commuting” community. Families travel from one field to the next. Sometimes they travel more, sometimes they travel less, but at least the traveling is spread out over the week. Sending everyone to Whistle Bend means that people in Porter Creek spend less on fuel in a week, while parents in Riverdale spend more. It also allows for all businesses to have a chance at the “parent” flow of money. With one centralized sports area (CGS comes to mind), parents inadvertently end up supporting those businesses closer to the arena/area more.

Up 37 Down 8

Lost in the Yukon on Mar 24, 2015 at 11:15 pm

Well, it's that time in the political cycle when your money gets dumped to every special interest group the Yukon Party thinks will vote for them next year ... it's shameful; but if you are an elitist special interest group like these guys who have been greasing the government for over a year (with no opportunity for anyone to have any say) then good on them. They have played the game well with your money. I wonder how many of them are or have worked for government? I would suspect most, hence the lack of appreciation for what a dollar is.

Up 17 Down 45

seriously. on Mar 24, 2015 at 8:39 pm

First off, us soccer players sell raffle tickets to raise money... not socks.. but thanks for that idea! I'll be sure to throw in a suggestion box for future fundraising ideas.

Well these posts sure show how the "great" the people of Yukon support their youth competing in sports. All of these negative comments go to show how few people have actual seen the conditions of our fields, and outdoor track (which by the way doesn’t exist anymore) that your athletes train on in hopes to representing the Yukon.

My experience for representing the Yukon has been a double edge sword. My team would train hard for high level competitions on a single field that we had to share with all of Whitehorse Minor Soccer and Yukon Striker Representative teams, so time slots were limited to maybe 3 times a week if we were lucky. Other representative soccer teams in Canada get access to their own field, in some cases 7 days a week. On top of limited field access; the fields we do have access to are either: no where near regulation size, or are in horrible condition. When we don’t bring home the gold after training on these horrible fields a large number of people in the community start to complain saying that, “we as a community,” don’t prepare our athletes for these competitions. They advise our team that government needs to invest more into us and training facilities. So we ask for 1 not 2 just 1 decent field that we can share with the other Yukon Representative Soccer and Track Teams.This field does not a have to up to FIFA standards, but preferably one that we can focus on the game rather than focusing on not falling into a hole and breaking an ankle, or you know a safe field where I wouldn't have to worry about getting more stitches due to falling on a raised sprinkler head; that would would be nice. Even a field that actually- you know -has more grass than dirt.

Basically we go out to compete, come back after a couple losses, have the community bringing down the team; ask for their help for decent SAFE area to train and have the community against us again. Excellent Yukon.

There has only been a couple times I have truly been disappointed with our community, and this is definitely one of them. Key words here is “our community.” It is ridiculous that people are not willing to spend money on bettering the community for future generations. If people really want to complain about tax money spent poorly how about they look into the multimillion dollar tunnel the government built to help animals cross the road.. That seems like a better situation to get upset about rather than getting angry with people that are simply trying to create a safe environment for youth to be able to play that sport they’re are passionate about.

Up 48 Down 9

Barb on Mar 24, 2015 at 7:05 pm

$8,000,000.00 on this facility??? How about putting some of this turf down inside CGC and save a bunch of money that could well be disbursed towards more affordable housing, Senior care facilities, Another entry/exit for Riverdale? This is ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!

Up 15 Down 39

Not for elite, and no burden on city taxpayers? on Mar 24, 2015 at 5:48 pm

Unless I'm reading this wrong, all the City is being asked to do is to rezone the property and facility will be paid for by YG and fundraising. Yes it's a lot of money but the soccer fields around town are in a horrible state. I don't understand how 'elite' applies - as the article says, there are more than 900 kids that play soccer in town. It's a great sport that all kids can play with very little expense for families

Up 52 Down 5

Need and Want on Mar 24, 2015 at 5:34 pm

Please, tell me where these places in B.C. are that have astro turf and what are their tax-paying populations as attested to by Mr.Gaw. I can just as easily say that I have been all around Alberta and Saskatchewan without ever seeing one artifical turf field let alone a running track for a population of 24,000 people.
Let's grab hold of reality here folks as 8 million dollars will pay for a lot of maintenance and upgrading of the existing fields even the unused ones.
A running track could be constructed around on of the school areas where it would likely get the most use and would not cost that much for the suitable surface be it rubber or other material. In closing I don't believe players like Rinaldo and Messi grew up playing at 8 million dollar facilities. Dreamers!

Up 44 Down 7

north_of_60 on Mar 24, 2015 at 5:33 pm

Taxpayer funded Summer playground for Mt Sima elite.
Hey, it worked the first time why not try it again?
Forty people? Isn't that the present population of Wasteland Bend?
Yes please, I'll take a semi-private sportsplex for my neighborhood, thanks.

Up 51 Down 2

yukon56 on Mar 24, 2015 at 5:15 pm

This city government has to go

Up 40 Down 6

June Jackson on Mar 24, 2015 at 5:10 pm

The hand writing was on the wall with this project the instant someone smelled tax payer money. Some folks smell that money like I smell sewer at Whistle Bend.

We simply are not big enough for this facility and losing more people every day.. anyone seen the numbers of houses up for sale? Yeah, well.. that lessens the numbers of people available to pay for the facility. Didn't I hear Sima saying user fee's would pay for everything? uh huh..and here comes another one.

Good luck to all who agree its not the time or the place for an outdoor facility..the decision is likely already made.

Up 82 Down 44

nope on Mar 24, 2015 at 4:42 pm

Private facility for the elite? That really sends a message of we want your taxpayer money but in the meantime, screw off. How about these soccer pros raise their own money? Sell some socks or whatever you guys do. All I know is if I lived in Whistle Bend I would be against this elite scam. Won't someone please think of the children? No, because all they do is play video games. Parents are the ones forcing their kids into sports hoping they become pros and in turn make them rich. Prove me wrong.

Up 95 Down 23

Max Mack on Mar 24, 2015 at 4:38 pm

To the Mayor and Council . . . I am opposed to this facility. Like many other Whitehorse citizens, however, I have come to realize that participating in city consultation sessions has little value when CoW has already made up its mind.

We give up. Please build your little empire and tax us some more. We love it.

Up 86 Down 27

mary laker on Mar 24, 2015 at 4:26 pm

I never heard about any call for input. Obviously the vested interests know what is going on and showed up 'en masse' - while the best they could do was 30 people including a dozen kids.

I would have been happy to write a submission on how ridiculous this is to waste 8 million dollars so some people can practice track on a rubber surface, and so some kids have a FIFA standard, astro turf soccer field to kick a ball around on. Oh, and everybody is locked out unless they go through the hoops to pay their user fees and rent the field.

Outrageous.

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