Sport Yukon and Softball Yukon are challenging the territorial government’s consultation process regarding the proposed location for the new École Whitehorse Elementary School in Takhini.

The proposed location is threatening the existence of three well-used ball diamonds in the area.

A letter dated March 29 was addressed to Premier Ranj Pillai, Education Minister Jeannie McLean, Community Services Richard Mostyn, Tourism and Culture Minister John Striecker and Highways and Public Works Minister Nils Clarke.

It states, “Sport Yukon and Softball Yukon object to the consultation process surrounding the proposed building of a new elementary school in Takhini.

“The issues surrounding specific school infrastructure needs are complex, but our primary concern is the absence of any communication and consultation with Softball Yukon and Sport Yukon about the potential impact of the development of the Takhini educational land reserve, which is currently home to three high-use softball fields currently leased to and maintained by Softball Yukon.

“We acknowledge that the government has every right to build on the educational land reserve, but given how Softball Yukon has been charged with its stewardship and allowed to grow the sport of softball through its continued use, we believe that any plans for the future of this property require clear and collaborative communication with stakeholders such as ourselves.”

The letter also listed the concerns of Softball Yukon, including: Not enough space for over 1,200 adult and youth softball players;

Reduced physical access to softball fields by eliminating three high-use fields;

Reduced size and scope of programming for youth and adults; and

Elimination of hosting future bids for major tournaments.

Detrimental effects for Sport Yukon, including long-term economic effects, were also cited.

The letter ended by requesting a meeting between the government and Softball and Sport Yukon.

“Sport Yukon and Softball Yukon need to be a part of this process, and request a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the impact the location of the proposed new school will have on the loss of the three softball fields, the negative impact on sport tourism, and possible relocation options.”

The letter was signed by the executive directors of Sport Yukon, Tracey Bilsky, and Softball Yukon, Sarah Walz, as well as presidents Marg White of Sport Yukon and Cliff Cave of Softball Yukon.

Opposition Leader Currie Dixon had a strong viewpoint on the situation after question period in the legislature on April 25.

“I was extremely disappointed to hear the minister of Education (McLean) make the comments that she did today,” Dixon said.

“I thought that the sports organizations wrote a very thoughtful, meaningful letter that raised respectfully their issues, and for the minister to dismiss those issues as being nimbyism, I think was deeply disrespectful of the sport community.”

(NIMBY is an acronym for Not In My Back Yard.)

“The sport community was not consulted about this decision to impose the school on the ball diamonds,” Dixon said.

“They’re the first ones to admit that they have their facilities on an education reserve, but it’s been like that for decades. Those ball diamonds have been there longer than I’ve been alive.

“And the sport community, in particular Softball Yukon, has been encouraged to use them, encouraged to grow the sport,” added the Yukon Party leader.

“For the government now to come in and say, ‘well, you should have known all along that we were going to take this away from you’ is completely disingenuous because the sport committee never knew this before.”

Dixon said the decision was also made without notification.

“The sport community had to learn about it in the media that they were going to be building a new school on the ball diamonds,” he said of the announcement in the summer of 2022.

“Keep in mind those ball diamonds are the main fields for the most popular sport by membership in the territory. It’s an extremely popular sport in the summer, is very well-loved by a lot of Yukoners.

“And for Softball Yukon to step in and say it’s going to threaten their ongoing operation should be deeply concerning to a lot of people.”

Asked if he thinks that lack of consultation seems to be a bit of an issue with this government, Dixon replied, “No doubt about that at all. We’ve seen that on a number of fronts where they’ve made decisions and then consult afterwards – and this is a perfect example of that.

“The minister stood up today and said Softball Yukon, Sport Yukon will be involved in the future consultation on the building of new schools. But what she neglected to mention is that the decision of the location of the replacement for École Whitehorse Elementary School has already been made.

“It’s going to be on this plot of land, and it’s going to displace three of Softball Yukon’s most important fields.”

In the case of Sport Yukon, he said, “they’ve raised concerns that are much broader then even just Softball Yukon. They’ve raised concerns about the implications of that decision on the sport community as a whole.

“I think it’s a case where the government just simply can’t admit that they were wrong and in this case’ they clearly were wrong. They clearly should have consulted with affected stakeholders before making that decision.”

Mostyn told reporters on April 25 he is “very happy to meet with sporting groups. I do on a regular basis. I absolutely – no hesitation in meeting with sporting groups about this issue or any issue.”

Asked if he’s met with Softball Yukon on the issue, Mostyn paused, then said, “I have spoken to people in the sports community about the issue of softball diamonds. I have not had a direct conversation with Softball Yukon about this issue.”

He was asked if he’s planning on meeting with Softball Yukon.

“I’d be happy to. I haven’t set that meeting up yet, but I have no problem doing it,” Mostyn replied.

“We have to see how the school is situated on the property. I think, as the minister of Education said today, which is work that’s gonna happen and and then we’ll have to go from there.”

McLean told reporters April 26, “We’ve definitely chosen that we’re building the school at the Takhini Education Reserve, but what we haven’t determined is where on that reserve the new school will be built, so that we are in the process of hiring a project consultant right now which will take us through that first phase of planning, and part of that is assessing the lands and looking at different options for where it will be located.”

She was asked if there’s a possibility that the ball diamonds will be saved.

“We haven’t made that determination yet,” McLean replied.

“And I definitely will be working with Softball Yukon and Sport Yukon around mitigations that may need to happen in terms of whether – if a ball diamond needs to be removed or there needs to be adjustments. We’ll work with them around that.”

It’s a fairly large education reserve, McLean added.

“The ball diamonds, they’re not permanent type of structures because they’ve always known that their ball diamonds were on education reserve, and that there would be potential future uses for education.”

McLean said she has “absolutely committed” to working with Softball Yukon.

“We do have a project advisory committee in place as well that will be working with the primary consultant on this planning phase.”

McLean was asked if her government will have Softball Yukon involved in the planning process.

“Definitely they will be consulted in terms of once we have a final decision on the best location for the school.”

McLean was then asked if Softball Yukon will have a voice at the table in the planning process.

“I will be consulting, of course, with them and again, mitigating any concerns that they may have. If the ball diamonds need to be moved, then we’ll work with them on some solutions around that.”

Sport Yukon’s Reid Vanier told the Star in an email on April 27 that Sport Yukon has secured a meeting with the government at an undetermined time.

The planned relocation of the 70-plus-year-old school has also prompted a protest petition from downtown residents who don’t want to lose an education anchor of 
their neighbourhood.

They have been supported by Lane Tredger, the NDP MLA for Whitehorse Centre.