Incoming Deluge

Council has received the start of a likely deluge of e-mails filled with misinformation about condition  and shortage of soccer fields
and disappointment that Council may not approve  an expenditure of   $1.4 million dollar  at Tuesday's council meeting.
The vote was tied. The Mayor was absent, Depending on community input the vote could  change one way or another on Tuesday.
The new  facility would be our third artificial turf surface the second in a year.  A new one has just been completed at St Maximilian Kolbe high school. 
Built on school property, at our expense, it  adds significantly to the  field inventory. Artificial turf means the play season is extended by months. It can be played in all weathers and accommodates more games in a day. Maintenance is substantially less . It costs a million dollars to build. 
The first one was built at Sheppard's Bush.  $400,000  was saved using the skills of  parks department employees.
The soccer  program  is provided by Aurora Youth Soccer Club. Our correspondent informs us there are  4 thousand  youth  members with parent volunteers. .A tournament  in July will not be hosted this year because of a shortage of soccer fields.
The club operates out of  privately rented facilities, has a full staff complement and professional coaches .Teams participate in tournaments world wide.  A glossy magazine is published annually.
It's not like any minor sports association I know.
My son coached soccer in Barrie for a while. He told me the kids played on sand. 
My daughter  coached baseball in Newmarket. They brought a team to play a game in Aurora . The baseball  diamond was picture perfect. like manicured.  They didn't get to play it because the Aurora team didn't show  and the game was forfeited. 
I know  the town  parks department take tremendous pride in what they do. Facilities  provided  are second to none.
A few years ago, a fence around soccer fields in the vicinity of schools was recommended to prevent abuse and misuse. Council shot them down. 
After a downpour, soccer fields cannot be used without causing damage that takes weeks to repair.They are not allowed to be used in these circumstances. 
I know that. Management of Aurora Youth Soccer Club know these things  better than anyone else.
AYSC has the same right as anyone to input to  Council to approve a new facility. 
But to  misinform parent volunteers  to pressure   politicians to approve a $1.4 million dollar expenditure on the basis of misinformation and  in the face of  serious concerns  is not acceptable..
I  have a sense  Aurora Youth Soccer Club has  serviced  a far greater area than Aurora for many a long year..
Parents should perhaps turn their attention to continued growth of the Club that squeezes their children out more than a shortage of  tax supported facilities. 
And Oh Yes! We have that money pit  bubble behind the Legion  that provides year-round access to soccer facilities
Erected on Town  land, over  the term of the  much touted public/private partnership  agreement of twenty years , it will have cost the taxpayers of Aurora  a million dollars 
We pay taxes  to the Region and the Board of Education on their behalf.. The use  became commercial  as soon as the bubble was erected.  The agreement  provided  the operators would pay no taxes.  So the town is stuck paying taxes not anticipated when the agreement was signed. It seemed somebody anticipated. else why  the clause about non-payment. 
Management of the Aurora Soccer Club Association are  aware of these factors. They lobbied for that Soccer  Bubble Agreement.
They apparently enjoy a substantial benefit from the deal. 
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