A 3-3 tie vote by Whitehorse city council means zoning changes will not be going ahead that would have allowed for the first phase of an outdoor sports complex in Whistle Bend.

Monday evening’s vote was followed by an emotional outburst from Coun. Dave Stockdale.

The 32-year councillor then stormed out of the meeting in response to deputy mayor Mike Gladish threatening to have him removed.

Council discussion on the rezoning began after Mike Gau, the city’s director of development services, brought forward a proposal that the space proposed for the outdoor sports complex be reduced to a four-hectare area that would accommodate the first phase of the facility with another 2.2 hectares that had been identified for the site zoned as future planning.

The Yukon government proposed building the estimated $8-million facility that would be operated by the Yukon Outdoor Sports Complex Association.

The first phase would include two soccer pitches and a running track built to international competition standards along with bleachers, lighting and parking.

As Gau explained, the proposal to decrease the area for only the first phase of the complex came out of concerns expressed previously by council about the overall plans for the project.

“This would limit the boundary for any potential development,” he said.

The government had indicated a willingness to go with the phase one option over another possibility that would have seen just one soccer field and a track built, he pointed out.

Gau noted government officials had said the one field option would have higher development costs and put the project in jeopardy.

The area set aside for future planning could be used – following zoning changes – as a site for further phases of the complex, which may include other sports such as tennis.

After considerable discussion of council, members ultimately voted 4-2 in favour of the amendment for the new zoning boundaries.

Councillors Betty Irwin and Gladish voted against the amendment.

Irwin said she just didn’t have faith that the facility operations wouldn’t eventually be downloaded to the city, despite assertions from the government that it would be responsible for any shortfalls in operations if the complex association can’t make a go of it.

She also stated she has a problem with so much money essentially being spent on one sport.

As Irwin made her comments, three supporters of the facility could be heard in the gallery whispering to one another that soccer wouldn’t be the only sport to benefit.

“They don’t listen,” one supporter quietly commented, shaking her head at times throughout the discussion or nodding her head in agreement with others.

Indeed, as Stockdale pointed out in countering Irwin’s points, the first phase of the facility would not only include soccer fields for one sport, but also the track facility for athletics.

Gladish, meanwhile, expressed concern over the rush on the project, pointing out that a track is being built next to the new F.H. Collins Secondary School.

While it is not being built to international competition standards, he wondered whether Whitehorse needs facilities built to those standards.

The community doesn’t need a large outdoor sports complex to be an outdoor sporting community, Gladish said. He cited many sports residents can take part in virtually outside their doors, including paddling and cycling, among others.

He also took issue with the possible operations of the complex, wondering how it could operate without office space for staff to work out of.

“I understand the reality of running a facility,” he said in citing the need for offices, drawing on his experience as the manager of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club.

Other council members defended voting in favour of the change.

They noted the government’s willingness to compromise with the new zoning boundaries as well as the opportunity the new facility would offer for both athletes and in freeing up some outdoor fields for some much-needed work.

Many soccer players who have defended the proposal argue the 14 outdoor soccer pitches are in terrible shape, with gopher holes, dog feces and garbage often found on them from a variety of users.

In a prepared speech, Stockdale recalled the history of soccer in the city going back to the 1960s, stating: “Now is the time to build the complex.”

In the long run, it would be a great addition to the city, the councillor said.

He also argued that while he didn’t like the territory’s initial approach on the project, if the zoning didn’t go ahead, it would be a missed opportunity for recreational facilities in the community.

Mayor Dan Curtis, who was attending the meeting by conference call, said he’s grateful to the government for compromising on the size of the space.

He also cited concerns the city could be faced with operational impacts if things didn’t go as planned despite assurances to the contrary from the territory.

Curtis said he’d like to assume future councils wouldn’t be left holding the bag.

The mayor voted in favour of the new zoning boundary change for the project.

When it came time to vote on second reading of the main motion, which included the new boundaries, Curtis voted against it, along with Irwin and Gladish.

That made it a 3-3 vote. Any tie vote of council is automatically defeated.

Seven members are elected to council, which typically helps prevent tie votes if all members are present.

However, former councillor Kirk Cameron recently resigned over the firings of two long-time city staffers, thus shrinking council to six members and increasing the possibility of tie votes.

With that defeat, Stockdale was quick to question Curtis, though there is not to be discussion after a vote.

“Your worship, you voted for the amendment. Why didn’t you vote for the amended motion?” Stockdale asked as Gladish, who was chairing the meeting, tried to tell him there was no discussion.

An irate Stockdale then declared he “didn’t give a sh--”.

“Fire me if you want to,” he said, arguing a sergeant-at-arms could walk him out of council chambers. “I’ve never seen such a farce in my life.”

While Gladish first warned Stockdale and then asked administration that the councillor be removed, Stockdale left the meeting on his own accord.

This morning, Stockdale told the Star he had nothing to add to his comments of last night.

Supporters of the complex declined comment outside council chambers following the vote.

See story on government’s reaction below.