Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

NEW PROMISES DISCUSSED – Jeremy Harper (right), the Liberal candidate for Mayo- Tatchun, and MLA Ranj Pillai, the Liberal candidate for Porter Creek South, are seen at Thursday’s press conference on sports and recreation issues.

Liberals propose fieldhouse, 2027 Games bid

The Yukon Liberal Party deviated from talking up the budget it tabled March 4 to make two new election campaign announcements Thursday morning.

By Tim Giilck on March 26, 2021

The Yukon Liberal Party deviated from talking up the budget it tabled March 4 to make two new election campaign announcements Thursday morning.

Incumbent Ranj Pillai said the party is interested in partnering with the private sector to build what it’s calling a massive new “fieldhouse” complex worth anywhere from $7 million to $11 million.

“A re-elected Liberal government will focus on a new, flexible fieldhouse, exploring a varsity sports program and continuing to advance our bid to host the Canada Winter Games in 2027,” Pillai said.

He said the party commits to:

• Partnering with the private sector to develop a flexible, modern fieldhouse complex for athletics as well as large public conferences and events. 

• Working diligently with Yukon University to investigate the possibility of a varsity sports program.

• Continuing the process of submitting a bid to host the 60th anniversary of the Canada Winter Games in 2027, which the Liberals began with the Canada Games Council in January 2021.

“This pivotal event will allow us to share our culture, our community and our courage with the rest of Canada,” the party said. 

Pillai said the varsity sports concept is still very much in its formative stages

He added he didn’t want to speak for the university on the subject, although some preliminary consultations had taken place.

“These are all far-reaching endeavours that will enhance Yukon’s unique identity in the sport and recreation realm as well as enrich the territory’s economy from within,” Pillai said.

“Building a new fieldhouse goes hand-in-hand with our aim to continue the bidding process to host the Canada Winter Games in 2027.

“This facility would add much-needed sporting space and also encourage more public access to various recreational options year-round,” Pillai said.

He added such a facility would serve a secondary purpose as a tourism draw for the Yukon and Whitehorse, as sometimes there simply isn’t room in Whitehorse to host all the events that are in the offing.

With the project still in its preliminary stages, a location hasn’t been pinned down.

Pillai said there are some government lands near the university that might be suitable for development.

“Our passion for sport and recreation is a driving force I feel personally, as a recreation director and a lifelong coach,” said Jeremy Harper, the Liberal candidate for Mayo-Tatchun.

“A varsity sports program is extremely exciting and desirable, as it will give our talented youth an opportunity to stay here in the Yukon and compete at a high level.

“We look forward to the idea of exploring specific sports for the program. Basketball, for one, would be a great option.”

Contacted by the Star on Thursday afternoon, the university said it does not comment on political parties’ election platforms.

Earlier in the campaign, the Yukon Party also said it would pursue the ambition of Whitehorse hosting the 2027 Canada Winter Games – which it did in 2007.

Comments (19)

Up 5 Down 7

Observer on Mar 30, 2021 at 7:31 pm

Dear Mr. just sayin, uuum not sure if anyone has told you or not but we are having an election in early April? I didn't notice you making similar statements for cunning Currie? Are you trying to sway the vote? Good luck with that.

Up 26 Down 5

Leslie on Mar 30, 2021 at 2:28 pm

Last election the Liberals campaigned on ‘Be Heard’. This time they’re basically saying we didn’t listen to you over the last 4 years so this time out we’re just going to try and buy your vote.

Up 20 Down 6

Just Sayin' on Mar 30, 2021 at 9:55 am

The liberals seem to be making a lot of announcements, as of late. Don't let them buy your vote!

Up 8 Down 32

Appreciative Yukoner on Mar 29, 2021 at 5:20 pm

What incredibly imaginative ideas from such a group of fantastic people for the expressed enjoyment of all Yukoners!!
Vote Liberal, let's keep it going.

Up 40 Down 5

Anie on Mar 29, 2021 at 11:56 am

Sure, a field house, so we can "pursue varsity sports programs." YukU will have university-level sports teams. C'mon folks, ya gotta laugh.

Up 34 Down 8

Mike on Mar 29, 2021 at 8:53 am

I wonder if the liberal party has any idea just how ridiculous they sound in public on the radio and here in the news. It's like they all have very selective memories when it comes to all the massive mistakes, lies and cover ups this party has repeatedly done during their term. They think nobody was paying attention or maybe they think after being locked down for so long we wouldn't care. When in reality no Yukon resident locked down for them in the first place we locked down to protect our communities and its residents not because the liberals said so or Henley's scare tactics

Up 53 Down 9

TMYK on Mar 28, 2021 at 8:10 am

We have already been accepted to host the 2027 Canada Winter Games. Ranj and the Liberals are lying through their teeth to get votes.

Up 29 Down 9

Sheepchaser on Mar 28, 2021 at 7:26 am

Spend $10M handing out fat tire bicycles to all Yukon youth. This would improve their lives equally regardless of location. Then launch a bicycle, small engine repair and electrical engineering program in the high schools. Watch what happens.

Up 30 Down 13

Wilf Carter on Mar 27, 2021 at 6:42 pm

How about approaching McDonalds to build a Ronald McDonalds house in Whitehorse. I am sure they have made $80 million or more off Yukoners. There is other groups out there that do this type of support. Problem with our government, especially these liberals, is they have no innovative thinking they just spend money as fast as they can spend it. Take Yukoner's into debt without thinking about the end results which will cost our kids their future.

Up 13 Down 51

Banana Republic on Mar 27, 2021 at 2:35 pm

Al: how much is the Yucon party paying you to write your rubbish?

Also are all the cons voting multiple times on this site? Most Yukoners know this is not a true reflection of how the election is going to play out. You cons can vote all you want on this site, you can only vote once on election day!!

Up 38 Down 11

Lennie on Mar 27, 2021 at 10:29 am

What a great idea!! Perhaps that nutcase that wanted our parking area on Cook St. would be the first to partner here with his and his family's deep pockets?

Up 63 Down 7

Groucho d'North on Mar 27, 2021 at 9:16 am

Looks like the Liberals are clutching at straws. If there is land available to build a giant white elephant that will eat O&M like popcorn, why not focus on addressing our communities greatest current need - More land for housing?

Up 49 Down 6

Snowball II on Mar 26, 2021 at 5:24 pm

What a joke. Can any party in the Yukon be thinking about building social units and maybe a new apartments or two? The last one was built like 60 years ago lol. What's up with condos in the Yukon, ain't that a BC thing?

Up 53 Down 8

Lost In the Yukon on Mar 26, 2021 at 5:21 pm

Talk about being out of touch and not reading the room .... one word “pandemic”.

With that goes uncontrolled spending, lost jobs, lost housing, increased use of services like food banks and ever increasing domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse.

When will Slippery Sandy Silver get his priorities straight? Housing, food security, employment ... it’s not rocket science.
One more word “Maslow”

Up 65 Down 7

Peter on Mar 26, 2021 at 5:07 pm

The latest financial stats that I got is the Canada Game Center in 2020 is well over $5 million in the red. Not including any other non disclosed costs.
The City of Whitehorse raised taxes again. Now the Liberals are offering another boat anchor to sink us taxpayer's further in debt and taxes!! Are they nuts or think that Yukoner's are fools.
I will have to sew zippers on my pocket with Liberals running the Yukon government!!!

Up 9 Down 68

Patti Eyre on Mar 26, 2021 at 5:06 pm

Amazing, stunning! Go Liberals!

Up 127 Down 18

Al on Mar 26, 2021 at 3:50 pm

Good grief - can you Liberals not advance anything that does not come with such an exorbitant price tag !? This is not investing in the community. This chucking money around. Remember for every structure built there are many years of support money (O&M) required to maintain the structure along with staff.

Canada Games came with a hefty price tag the last time in 07. If the facilities we have are not good enough for the CG committee then I guess that is too bad. Besides I am sure there are other areas in Canada that would love to host the games that have not had the opportunity.

Sorry, this is pie in the sky - just like the proposed Heritage building. We need to be more practicable in the manner in which we propose to spend money.

Up 115 Down 21

Matthew on Mar 26, 2021 at 3:32 pm

We are stone cold flat a$$ broke! Why the heck are we pretending we're not!
All these amateur athlete games need to stop until we are NOT in perpetual debt! Cue up the dislikes..

Up 99 Down 21

JSM on Mar 26, 2021 at 3:05 pm

More promises the liberals won't follow up on while they are embroiled in another controversy and touting racist and divisive policies. SAD!

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