New design for Whistle Bend sports complex unveiled in Whitehorse

The group hoping to build a new outdoor soccer complex and running track in Whitehorse is not giving up.

Last night the Yukon Outdoor Sport Complex Association held an open house unveiling new design images and appealing to municipal candidates to reconsider the project.

"We wanted to give everyone the opportunity to see what we're planning, we've now got a design that's specific to a location as opposed to just a design that is conceptual," said Tony Gaw, chair of the association.

The complex, which would include two regulation-sized soccer pitches with artificial turf and an eight-lane rubberized running track, is expected to cost $5.5 million for the first phase, funded by the territorial government.

But before the project can go ahead, the site needs a zoning amendment by the city. In April, Whitehorse city council rejected the zoning change for the Whistle Bend site, stating concerns there was not a concrete guarantee from the territory that it wouldpay for the facility's operations if rental fees fell short.

Hope new council will reconsider

With the municipal election this month, organizers hope a new council will reconsider.

"What we're hoping is someone from the new council will make a motion to bring this back to the table," said Gaw.

That could be someone like council candidate George Arcandwholikes the concept of the facility.

"I'd like to see it fully discussed," he said. "If they're coming for only zoning then discuss it for only zoning."

Incumbent councillor Jocelyn Curteanu voted in favour of the zoning amendment in April and now says in order for it to come back in front of council there should be some new information. And if it comes forward, she agrees with Arcand that council should limit its focus.

"There's a lot of noise that we're hearing in regards to this project but what we must remember is it is a zoning request that's being brought forward," she said. "We need to keep that in perspective and a decision needs to be based around that."

But for others likes outgoing councillor Mike Gladish there are still many unanswered questions about the complex.He says the estimated money the complex would make from user admission fees is unrealistic. Gladish says that means the projections for the operation and maintenance budgetthe O&Mdoesn't add up.

"If the users don't pay for the O&M, who is going to pay for it? Will the Yukon government pay it forever? Or will the city eventually have to pay it?" said Gladish.

Incumbent councillor Betty Irwin also wants to see more details.

"I did vote against the zoning, however that doesn't mean that I might not change my mind given more information and a business plan that I could really have some faith in."