An unacceptable location. Road access alone is completely inadequate. The ability of PARC to commit significant funds is disturbing. Remember the very large loss on the indoor tennis facility that was bought and then had to be sold at a significant loss because it didn't meet building regulations?
J
Juliette and Rick Laing
10 years ago
We have lived here since 1983, raised 2 sons and have always thought the sports facilities were adequate for our kids and their friends. We also agree with all the statements in this petition. Poor location and should be turned down.
A
Ann Wheeler
10 years ago
Find another less prime ALR - these are decisions we are making that should consider 50 - 100 years of the future of SSI not just 10 years.
S
Sandra Locke
10 years ago
It is essential that we preserve all agricultural land on our island and all the province. Stop short term thinking for long term preservation.
N
Nancy Wigen
10 years ago
I agree that the proposal to convert agricultural land next to Brinkworthy (or anywhere else on SSI) to sports fields is not acceptable. I'm a SSI resident, raised on a farm here and my son is a farmer. As I grew up here in the 1930s and 1940s people were largely food self sufficient. Now if there was any kind of disaster we would be out of food in less than a week.
We and our children would benefit more by knowing how to grow food than playing more games. Farming or gardening is good healthy and creative exercise for mind, body and spirit. It also helps alleviate climate change.
J
Jo Ann Gainor
10 years ago
How about considering one small playing field with a small footprint to accommodate softball?
J
joel bronstein
10 years ago
This is not the right place for a sports field. Do not take the property out of the ALR and put it right next to a seniors complex.
L
Louis Renaud
10 years ago
CRD CRD Yes the CRD is doing it again. They decided to spend all this tax money on research and deposit the 25,000.00 of our tax money to hold the land!! nice but stupid as usual. I totally agree with the resident of Brinkworthy to be left alone and in peace.
The fact that the CRD went ahead and did all this R&D before making sure that the neighbours would agree is inconsiderate to say thee least.
Whats wrong with the ball fields already at Central and Fulford? Give your head a shake CRD and I think the residents of Brinkworthy should stand in front of the machines and do a blockade if you should be stupid enought to go ahead with the plan. Keep your hopes up ,residents of Brinkworthy
J
joel bronstein
10 years ago
what a bad idea! what about neighbourhood integrity? if we allow this to happen, then it is a precedent for future undermining of neigbourhoods
S
S G Lee
10 years ago
No affordable housing on this island means that young families with children are in limited supply now, and maybe even more so into the future. This island is becoming a retirement village for people who can afford to buy (or already own) their own homes. Why permanently change arable land to build another rec centre for children (and aging adults) who won't be using it? We already have school playing fields and community fields to accommodate the needs that exist.
R
ron aird
10 years ago
good ALR land must be protected, neighbourhoods must be respected, sports facilities must be convenient to all areas of the island - please go back to the drawing board re. all aspects of this proposal from location to design to time frame to budget
M
Malcolm Bond
10 years ago
As a former soccer coach and athlete on Salt Spring Island I have considerable insight into what is needed for playing fields on Salt Spring. At present there is a demographic shift on Salt Spring. This has resulted in a significant decline in athletic field need over the past 10 years. This past May long weekend's soccer tournament was absolute evidence of this as local participation was less than five to ten years ago.
If we are to spend money on playing fields the proposed site north of Brinkworthy is a poor choice.
1) It is not level
2) It is full of trees
3) It inconveniences many neighbours
4) It has no existing facilities such as change rooms, bathrooms, parking lot, water services or unimpaired access
A far superior choice is one has to be made is the property south of Portlock Park. The reasons are many
1) Easy access from four different directions
2) Very few neighbours to inconvenience
3)Relatively level and nearly clear of trees, all of which saves significant construction and drainage costs
4) It borders on Portlock Park which already has a park office, washrooms, parking and field maintenance equipment availability.
5) The larger venue created would be far more amenable to tournament events etc.
M
Malcolm Bond
10 years ago
As a former soccer coach and athlete on Salt Spring Island I have considerable insight into what is needed for playing fields on Salt Spring. At present there is a demographic shift on Salt Spring. This has resulted in a significant decline in athletic field need over the past 10 years. This past May long weekend's soccer tournament was absolute evidence of this as local participation was less than five to ten years ago.
If we are to spend money on playing fields the proposed site north of Brinkworthy is a poor choice.
1) It is not level
2) It is full of trees
3) It inconveniences many neighbours
4) It has no existing facilities such as change rooms, bathrooms, parking lot, water services or unimpaired access
A far superior choice is one has to be made is the property south of Portlock Park. The reasons are many
1) Easy access from four different directions
2) Very few neighbours to inconvenience
3)Relatively level and nearly clear of trees, all of which saves significant construction and drainage costs
4) It borders on Portlock Park which already has a park office, washrooms, parking and field maintenance equipment availability.
5) The larger venue created would be far more amenable to tournament events etc.
J
Judy Brydon
10 years ago
Please leave the open space,
M
marie stevenson
10 years ago
The needs of 90% of the Brinkworthy residents who don't want the playing fields & the need to keep lands in the ALR trump soccer (head injuries), increased traffic & more pavement any day. There are many reasons not to take this land out of the ALR.
J
joi freed-garrod
10 years ago
It appears that the cost to purchase this parcel of land is quite reasonable; it might be land the Farmer's Institute could consider buying with the help of island folk (like we did to obtain the top of Mt. Erskine). The land, or a portion, could then be turned into community gardens, to the benefit of all islanders.
G
Grace McNab
10 years ago
This plan would be short-sighted at any time, but with examples of increased fire risk upon us ever more dramatically, and May 2016 already showing a "high" fire risk, it seems all the more important to keep vegetation as lush as possible.
J
Judy McLennan
10 years ago
We have sports areas already established with room for growth. Let's bring this development to a better location.
R
robert shadwick
10 years ago
a terrible plan, cutting mature second growth forest for a ball field and parking lot. None of the many neighbouring residents who will be negatively affected by this plan will ever play baseball or soccer; it will be of no use to these people. Why not locate this facility near the people who want to use it.
D
diana coward
10 years ago
they have to be clueless if they affect seniors in this time of their life. they worked hard to get there. I think it is disgusting really.
An unacceptable location. Road access alone is completely inadequate. The ability of PARC to commit significant funds is disturbing. Remember the very large loss on the indoor tennis facility that was bought and then had to be sold at a significant loss because it didn't meet building regulations?
We have lived here since 1983, raised 2 sons and have always thought the sports facilities were adequate for our kids and their friends. We also agree with all the statements in this petition. Poor location and should be turned down.
Find another less prime ALR - these are decisions we are making that should consider 50 - 100 years of the future of SSI not just 10 years.
It is essential that we preserve all agricultural land on our island and all the province. Stop short term thinking for long term preservation.
I agree that the proposal to convert agricultural land next to Brinkworthy (or anywhere else on SSI) to sports fields is not acceptable. I'm a SSI resident, raised on a farm here and my son is a farmer. As I grew up here in the 1930s and 1940s people were largely food self sufficient. Now if there was any kind of disaster we would be out of food in less than a week. We and our children would benefit more by knowing how to grow food than playing more games. Farming or gardening is good healthy and creative exercise for mind, body and spirit. It also helps alleviate climate change.
How about considering one small playing field with a small footprint to accommodate softball?
This is not the right place for a sports field. Do not take the property out of the ALR and put it right next to a seniors complex.
CRD CRD Yes the CRD is doing it again. They decided to spend all this tax money on research and deposit the 25,000.00 of our tax money to hold the land!! nice but stupid as usual. I totally agree with the resident of Brinkworthy to be left alone and in peace. The fact that the CRD went ahead and did all this R&D before making sure that the neighbours would agree is inconsiderate to say thee least. Whats wrong with the ball fields already at Central and Fulford? Give your head a shake CRD and I think the residents of Brinkworthy should stand in front of the machines and do a blockade if you should be stupid enought to go ahead with the plan. Keep your hopes up ,residents of Brinkworthy
what a bad idea! what about neighbourhood integrity? if we allow this to happen, then it is a precedent for future undermining of neigbourhoods
No affordable housing on this island means that young families with children are in limited supply now, and maybe even more so into the future. This island is becoming a retirement village for people who can afford to buy (or already own) their own homes. Why permanently change arable land to build another rec centre for children (and aging adults) who won't be using it? We already have school playing fields and community fields to accommodate the needs that exist.
good ALR land must be protected, neighbourhoods must be respected, sports facilities must be convenient to all areas of the island - please go back to the drawing board re. all aspects of this proposal from location to design to time frame to budget
As a former soccer coach and athlete on Salt Spring Island I have considerable insight into what is needed for playing fields on Salt Spring. At present there is a demographic shift on Salt Spring. This has resulted in a significant decline in athletic field need over the past 10 years. This past May long weekend's soccer tournament was absolute evidence of this as local participation was less than five to ten years ago. If we are to spend money on playing fields the proposed site north of Brinkworthy is a poor choice. 1) It is not level 2) It is full of trees 3) It inconveniences many neighbours 4) It has no existing facilities such as change rooms, bathrooms, parking lot, water services or unimpaired access A far superior choice is one has to be made is the property south of Portlock Park. The reasons are many 1) Easy access from four different directions 2) Very few neighbours to inconvenience 3)Relatively level and nearly clear of trees, all of which saves significant construction and drainage costs 4) It borders on Portlock Park which already has a park office, washrooms, parking and field maintenance equipment availability. 5) The larger venue created would be far more amenable to tournament events etc.
As a former soccer coach and athlete on Salt Spring Island I have considerable insight into what is needed for playing fields on Salt Spring. At present there is a demographic shift on Salt Spring. This has resulted in a significant decline in athletic field need over the past 10 years. This past May long weekend's soccer tournament was absolute evidence of this as local participation was less than five to ten years ago. If we are to spend money on playing fields the proposed site north of Brinkworthy is a poor choice. 1) It is not level 2) It is full of trees 3) It inconveniences many neighbours 4) It has no existing facilities such as change rooms, bathrooms, parking lot, water services or unimpaired access A far superior choice is one has to be made is the property south of Portlock Park. The reasons are many 1) Easy access from four different directions 2) Very few neighbours to inconvenience 3)Relatively level and nearly clear of trees, all of which saves significant construction and drainage costs 4) It borders on Portlock Park which already has a park office, washrooms, parking and field maintenance equipment availability. 5) The larger venue created would be far more amenable to tournament events etc.
Please leave the open space,
The needs of 90% of the Brinkworthy residents who don't want the playing fields & the need to keep lands in the ALR trump soccer (head injuries), increased traffic & more pavement any day. There are many reasons not to take this land out of the ALR.
It appears that the cost to purchase this parcel of land is quite reasonable; it might be land the Farmer's Institute could consider buying with the help of island folk (like we did to obtain the top of Mt. Erskine). The land, or a portion, could then be turned into community gardens, to the benefit of all islanders.
This plan would be short-sighted at any time, but with examples of increased fire risk upon us ever more dramatically, and May 2016 already showing a "high" fire risk, it seems all the more important to keep vegetation as lush as possible.
We have sports areas already established with room for growth. Let's bring this development to a better location.
a terrible plan, cutting mature second growth forest for a ball field and parking lot. None of the many neighbouring residents who will be negatively affected by this plan will ever play baseball or soccer; it will be of no use to these people. Why not locate this facility near the people who want to use it.
they have to be clueless if they affect seniors in this time of their life. they worked hard to get there. I think it is disgusting really.