Three new artificial turf fields in the park to be donated by Frank Stronach are welcome for more than the obvious reason.
The last one we planned had to be cancelled because of cost.
Part was to relocate a storm water pond which is to be moved by developers in a couple of years. Staff recommendation was to wait. In the circumstances, the extra cost could not be justified.
It seems no matter how many fields we provide it's never enough. The reason does give me angst.
Aurora Youth Soccer Association grows continually ..It is something of a hybrid. It serves Aurora youth and is a multi- million dollar enterprise.
The association has offices and a staff complement.
Professional coaches are employed and hundreds of parents donate their time to coach as well.
They publish an annual glossy magazine that undoubtedly nets income from advertising.
On Tuesday, Council received a delegation to present each with a calender the association has produced for fund-raising..
Councillor Gaertner suggested the town or Councillors should make a donation. I thought not.
Thousands of Aurora youngsters play soccer. Last time I heard, Registration fees were $240. Hockey registration is $650.
Soccer teams are sent abroad to participate in world wide tournaments.
They pay thousands for winter play or training in the soccer bubble.
The bubble is a commercial operation on public land that costs the town over $50,000 a year to pay regional and education taxes.
The Soccer Association is an ever- burgeoning operation.
Partly at least, because the town provides and keeps providing fields for it to grow.
It's not like any other familiar minor sports organisations.
But it does provide organised soccer for any Aurora youngster who wants to play.
Information in this post, I've mostly absorbed as a Councillor.My daughter provided the info about registration fees in Newmarket.
Thousands of children participate. Parents pay high fees. I suspect they are paying for more than they need but it is their option. I've heard rumours of members being dumped from the executive if views do not conform. It 's the business of the membership. Not the town ..
The town provides and maintains facilities. But no funds
The Aurora Soccer Association pays the town user fees for facilities. A tidy annual sum.
When articifial turf was installed at Sheppard's Bush, it was financed ninety per cent with development charge fees and ten per cent by the soccer association.
They pay St Andrew's College rent for use of their soccer fields. I heard $11,000.
Soccer consumes some people. It 's their culture.
They don't ask taxpayers to fund it.
They have not stolen space from another organisation.
They might very well bring trade to town with their tournaments.
They don't claim it to be so and expect the town to reward them with grants and free space and opportunity to charge admissions.
It's a different mind set. A different face.
For over a hundred and fifty years, Aurora has grown accustomed to that face. .
Sunday, 16 December 2012
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2 comments:
I think that it is terrific that soccer has become to go-to sport for kids. Growing up, it was base-ball. And being stationed outside the country in a place that breathed only cricket produced confusion and boredom. The smallest socs are a delight to watch & keeping score is a cinch.
Evelyn,
AYSC is NOT a multimillion dollar enterprise. It works with a tireless, in house skeleton staff, a small select professional coaching staff, and the rest all volunteer. AYSC does NOT produce a glossy rag, that went the way of Sport Aurora and it's founders. You may want to ask why that gentleman is no longer involved with soccer in this town. Better get the real story. AYSC runs programs for special needs kids all through the year, with no cost to their families, they collect equipment and clothing for children overseas year after year, they provide organized sport for all ages child to adult, both genders, of all levels. The Rep program participates in international competetion at their teams own expense. The former executive initiated an open door policy for residents from other towns to support their expensive Academy program, that has now been suspended. Again, you may want to ask why. The existing executive is there for only one reason: the kids, they love the kids and want to give them the best soccer experience they can.
A fan of the current AYSC.
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