Whitehorse Daily Star

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Coun. John Streicker

Sports facility zoning issue deferred by city

It will be at least another two weeks before city council decides

By Whitehorse Star on April 15, 2015

It will be at least another two weeks before city council decides whether it will rezone a large piece of land for an outdoor sports facility after council voted to defer its decision on second and third readings Monday night.

The first phase is aimed to be built in 2016 on a 7.17-hectare piece of land. It would see two artificial-turf soccer fields built to FIFA standards and a track and field built to IAA competition standards. Further outside sports venues could be built in future years.

While the Yukon government is proposing to build the $8-million facility, it would be leased to the Yukon Outdoor Sports Complex Association to operate.

Proponents argue the facility is needed for local athlete development and due to the poor state of soccer pitches around the city.

The proposal has raised a number of questions for council members, who have stated worries the city could be asked to contribute or take over operations down the road.

Questions around whether the territory will build a school next door as originally planned, how the loss of housing space could be recouped and others have also surfaced during discussions.

Questions continued Monday night as Coun. John Streicker wondered whether a portion of the site could be rezoned to accommodate the phase one plans, leaving other parts of the vacant Commissioner’s land as it is for now.

He suggested a council and senior management meeting would be the best place to explore the question before council votes on the rezoning.

Streicker’s comments came after Coun. Mike Gladish made the motion to defer, stating he wants to meet with administration to discuss the rezoning.

“I still have concerns,” he said, making the motion to defer second and third readings.

Streicker then suggested the two-week deferral to provide a timeline for those awaiting council’s decision.

It was pointed out administration and council already have a number of meetings booked over the next couple of weeks on other subjects, and it may be difficult to find time to meet on this.

Streicker, however, noted that council could vote again to defer in two weeks if a meeting has not been held.

Following the short discussion, council was unanimous in its decision to defer the matter.

Outside council chambers following the vote, Tony Gaw, the sports complex association’s head, had little comment on the deferral.

“We’ll wait and see what happens,” he said.

The rezoning will come back to council at its April 27 meeting.

Comments (3)

Up 15 Down 4

June Jackson on Apr 17, 2015 at 7:50 pm

Whitehorse is still small enough for taxpayers to be interested in their municipal government and watch what it's up to. People from the south perhaps don't realize how small the tax base is and certainly not big enough to support a sports venue this size. Whitehorse would only be one small neighborhood in Toronto.

Our city council is not living within its means now, why would it take on more? I'd like to have a house with a nice yard and a garage, money to buy a steak instead of hamburger.. well..I can't.. I'm sure Whitehorse would like to have this sports venue with a turf track and outside lighting and lots of parking.. well.. you can't. We can't pay for it, just like I can't pay for the things I want either.

Up 23 Down 3

ProScience Greenie on Apr 15, 2015 at 6:02 pm

A Yukon version of the Zihautanejo option suggested below would certainly be greener Mr. Streicker. It would also allow that $8 million to be used in a wiser manner or not used at all and left in the pockets of the taxpayer.

Up 53 Down 6

Beyond ridiculous proposal on Apr 15, 2015 at 4:45 pm

While vacationing in Zihautanejo I saw boys playing soccer along the beach while the tide was out. This was the only place for their soccer pitch. I wonder if they could play as good as the 8 million dollar locals?

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