Another tie in multi-purpose sports field vote

Shella Gardezi

Local resident Niki Best urges Grand Forks council to support the multi-purpose sports field.

Once again, a resolution on locating a multi-purpose sports field in City Park resulted in a tie vote at council last week.

Mayor Brian Taylor had said he would bring the matter forward if there was a full complement (seven) councillors at the meeting. However, because the gallery was full with supporters of a City Park field and because six local residents spoke to the issue, he decided to bring the matter back despite the absence of Coun. Joy Davies.

Councillors Michael Wirischagin, Cher Wyers and Gene Robert voted in favour of locating the field in City Park while Mayor Brian Taylor and Councillors Chris Moslin and Christine Thompson were opposed.

"What I'm saying is if you're really concerned about the sport, Dick Bartlett is the short term solution and the long term solution is to jointly develop between the school district and the city a full-scale facility for multi-use sports at the high school that citizens of all ages can enjoy and together we can enjoy bathrooms, shower and concessions," said Moslin.

Thompson said she was concerned about the size of the field, referring to a report brought forward by city staff that detailed an international quality rugby field.

"I did support the Feb. 8 resolution to locate the rugby park in City Park," she said. "Upon further reflection and additional information, it was the size of the field that caused me concern and caused me to reconsider my decision on that."

However, Wirischagin said the field being proposed is 10-metres smaller than the original proposal. Moslin said the smaller size wasn't regulation and, therefore, "we wouldn't have a playing field... We've got a lawn."

Taylor said the city is undergoing a review of services with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary which may result in the region helping to fund some of the parks in Grand Forks that are used by Area C and D residents. However, he said City Park would likely remain a city-only function under this agreement.

"I think we are in need of a more co-ordinated park service, in the area with more parks available, but at this point in time we're moving down that road in developing a parks plan with the regional district and I'm reluctant to support a motion to put this into City Park at this moment," he said.

Robert said the sports field was important for economic development and downtown revitalization.

"I look at our downtown and our tourist trade is down, we're suffering a major economic downturn, businesses are having trouble surviving in our downtown," he said. "I'm thinking that the park can become a focal point luring people downtown."

Robert said "fear-mongering" was being used to argue against the field given comments by Moslin about a "beer garden" (which Wirischagin had proposed as a possible fundraiser during tournaments) and that the park would no longer be a quiet place.

"There not going to be playing rugby seven days a week, 24 hours a day," he said. "And they're not going to be drinking beer when they're not playing rugby."

Wyers asked the council members opposed if they were "listening to our citizens."

Local residents responded to the vote with disappointment.

Clint Faulkner of the Boundary Wanderers accused Moslin of "mischaracterizing" the rugby club's request for the field, which he said was always intended as a multi-purpose field and not just a rugby field. As well, he said the focus of the request has never been the possibility of a beer garden.

Niki Best asked why council wouldn't support the new playing field given the high usage rates of Dick Bartlett Park, and asked why they didn't attend the Cal Ripken tournament earlier this month.

"You people don't want to support another playing field coming into this community to make some life in City Park," she said. "You don't listen to your community."

Roly Russell said citizens wanted to bring people downtown to help revitalize the area.

Nigel James said the were a lot of "misconceptions being bandied around."

In particular, he said there would be no problem with the currently proposed size of the field in terms of hosting rugby games and the field would not be costly in relation to the overall re-development of City Park.

Todd Benson said the rugby club has looked at a variety of options for the field and determined that City Park would be the ideal location for both his club and for children's sports given the atmosphere and amenities.

Vince Evers said minor soccer, which has 200 children registered, was planning to develop its club so that games can be played more than once a week.

"Unfortunately, this decision leaves our club hanging in its plans," he said.

Amber Kirk said her young children can't attend their father's rugby games because of the lack of shade and amenities.

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