A field of dreams for some is an environmental nightmare for others.
A tug-of-war between those for and against a synthetic turf sports field on Barrie's south shore waterfront has landed in the lap of retired lawyer Marshall Green, asked by Mayor Alex Nuttall to volunteer his time to gather information about the field, to be located east of Military Heritage Park.
"There's a lot of really positive things that have been moving because of our discussion as a community with relation to the parade ground and the multi-purpose sports field," Nuttall told Barrie 360. "I've asked Marshall to help to summarize what he's hearing with different stakeholders and to look at what the needs versus wants are, and to incorporate a wide array of users possible to ensure efficiency of dollars being spent."
In a memo earlier this month from the mayor, Nuttall said council had heard from several stakeholders representing different opinions with respect to the May 15 decision to go ahead with the field.
"Additional user groups have come forward, and some requests and needs have changed," the memo stated.
In the wake of city council's vote to approve the field for youth sports and a parade ground for the Barrie Sea Cadets, there have been two rallies at city hall in opposition to the plan and other demonstrations along Lakeshore Drive in the vicinity of where the field is to be located.
Respecting confidentiality, Nuttall said he couldn't go into detail of what is expected of Green or when that information will come forward to city council.
"Having somebody who has the background of Marshall Green in terms of municipal law and in terms of being a community volunteer here in the City of Barre is a big feather in the hat of the city."
The $4.6 million tab for the sports field is to be funded through development charges and reserves.
The Barrie Sea Cadets also plan to move to the lower level of the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre from their current aging facility at the bottom of Bayfield Street. The addition to the centre to accommodate the move will cost $4.55 million.
The field is to be 120 metres by 78 metres, a slight revision from the original 154 metres by 100 metres.
Various sports groups have welcomed council's decision to push forward with a new field, and at the city council meeting on May 15, many representatives said there was lack of adequate playing surfaces in the community.
The sports field would accommodate football, soccer, rugby and lacrosse, with amenities such as lighting, site furnishings and benches, and would be ready for use in August 2025.
Opponents have stated previously they don't oppose a parade ground for the Sea Cadets, just not where city council has said it should go.
The property is zoned and designated open space (OS), which allows for the development of a multi-use sports field.
Issues dealing with the environment were also addressed in a staff report to council.
It said a stand of Vimy Ridge oak trees were planted in Allandale Station Park in 2017 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The young trees are descendants of acorns gathered after the battle and are significant to the Military Heritage Park.
"The trees can be relocated closer to the Military Heritage Park to accommodate a proposed multi-use field," according to the report.
As well, the city intends to plant 1,000 trees around the waterfront over 10 years beginning in 2024.
