Whitehorse council to vote on soccer complex motion

The teams are lining up to take to the field again in the debate over whether Whitehorse should have a major new sports facility.

The previous council voted down azoning amendmentlast spring, that would have allowed the territorial government to build a new soccer complex.But new councillorSamson Hartlandintroduced a motion last month to reconsider. Councilwill vote on Monday whether or not to reopen the debate.

"We don't really have too much new," admitsTony Gaw, president of the Yukon Outdoor Sports Complex Association. "We're sticking with the original 'phase one' plan that we had brought to council in April."

That plan would see a complex built with twooutdoor, artificial-surface,soccer fields and a rubberizedrunning track. The territorial government has promised $5.5 million to build it, Gaw said.

Former councillor returns to the fray

City council balked at the proposal last spring,citing concerns that the city would eventuallyend up on the hook for operationand maintenance costs. Councillors also questioned the need and desire for a major new facility.

Mike Gladish, who sat on the last council(but didn't seek re-election)will speak to his successors on Monday, urging themto leavethe issue alone at least for now. He feels the business plan for the complex is "sketchy and flawed."

"It's always OK to reconsider things, but Ithink this is being rushed," Gladishsaid.

"I'm planning to remind them about sixmonths agowhen it was defeated, and why it was defeated, and to really think carefully about bringing this back so soon."