PRESS RELEASES
October 24th, 2006
For Immediate release
Ottawa - "Ottawa Sports Park proponent encouraged by talk of need for more sports fields"
Larry Pegg, proponent for the proposed Ottawa Sports Park (OSP) says he’s encouraged that Mayor Chiarelli will ask the province for support in finding funding for 100 additional sports fields in Ottawa, however Pegg questions the mayor’s and some Councillors track record on supporting and delivering on sportsfield initiatives. "Chiarelli’s record is not as encouraging as his hopes," says Pegg.
"Council recognizes Ottawa’s 200 sportsfield deficit. Mayor Chiarelli is implicated in this unacceptable shortfall. In fact, his record for supporting sports user groups and innovative solutions is dismal. Inadequate supply of accessible sports fields contributes to a number of negative impacts for our youth. It has been apparent for many years that we’ve needed more quality fields and more good coaches to help keep young people physically and mentally fit. His good idea is too little and too late" Pegg says.
In May 2006, Councillor Doug Thompson submitted a motion to study the risks and benefits of a 30 sports field facility at Bowesville and Armstrong Roads. "All the lands in question were identified by the City ("Delcan June 2005-Study of Potential Sportsfield Sites") as entirely suitable for a large recreation facility;" states Thompson. We need to know how and where these facilities will be brought on line and this is the best location that I’ve heard of, particularly for solving the shortfall in the city core and getting people out of their cars. This debate is on again;" he adds.
Thompson says further that if elected "I look forward to working with the new Council to deliver on the mayor’s request for funding that can then be used to bring about more sports fields initiatives. My new ward boundary will include all of the Bowesville lands associated with the proposal and I plan to again table my motion to study this fabulous opportunity to link recreation with Ottawa’s new LRT. This has legacy potential."
About the OSP
Located on naturally significant Transport Canada (Public) land just south of the Ottawa Airport on the north-south (light rail transit) LRT corridor, the proposed $35 million Ottawa Sports Park (OSP) has been in planning for over five years. 20 minutes by LRT from Ottawa’s core, there is no other location on the entire 29.4 km north-south LRT line that can deliver 30 transit-served sportsfields, an outdoor centre for skiing, snow boarding, tobogganing, hockey and direct link to natural areas and greenbelt trails.
Using STEAM (Sports Tourism Economic Assessment Model), Pegg estimates economic benefits through sporting and other events could add up well beyond $40 million annually. "As the world’s largest soccer facility linked to LRT, Ottawa and the OSP would be capable of hosting the world’s largest tournaments for soccer and other sports such as Ultimate, and through fast and efficient LRT, even combine with events like Bluefest or Winterlude;" says Pegg. Besides the spin-off benefits, Pegg wants the OSP to pay for the station and park and ride, a savings to the City of at least $5 million.
The OSP has run up against the planned rail maintenance yard and an unwilling Ottawa Airport, however Pegg is spurred on by the wider community and their undaunted support to make this park a reality. Pegg has collected 1000 petition signatures in support of the fight. "People are signing on because they understand the OSP’s environmentally complimentary use of the site is a more fitting use for the location than a rail yard." Says Pegg. He adds: "Walkely Yards, an existing train facility, was the overwhelming choice of the Public Working Group set up to decide where the rail yard should go. Pegg believes that any additional costs associated with Walkley would pay handsome dividends through the anticipated increased ridership and the many benefits of the OSP. "If switching the rail yard to Walkley in favour of the OSP occurred the City would see at least a 15000 % return on the additional value (over 20 years). A rail yard won’t provide any spin-off return. Besides the OSP is in perfect agreement with the Official Plan whereby it states that major destination attractions including sports facilities should be located on rapid transit. Lansdowne and most other city facilities provide examples of how ‘Smart Growth’ principles are not being followed;" says Pegg.
"Savings to the City, environmental and social benefits, there are too many positives for this project. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime. Let’s study it, let’s get it right and let’s get on with it. Forza OSP! This will be an easy decision for the new Council," says Pegg
The fields will be privately managed with no requirement for public funds.
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May 16th, 2006
For Immediate Release
Ottawa Sports Park (OSP) and Community Groups hold Joint Press Conference
"Requests Stay of Execution"
OTTAWA - City Transportation and Corporate Services Committee will meet at 3:30 today to debate the location of the Rail Maintenance Yard. Staff has recommended to Council that they choose Bowesville in conflict with the Public Working Group (PWG) who overwhelmingly chose Walkley Yard, an existing brownfield site. There will be a press conference held at 2:30 PM at City Hall (outside Andrew Haydon Hall).
Peter Hillier member of the PWG says "There’s no need to sacrifice this greenspace when we have a appropriate solution, an existing brownfield site at Walkley. As a member of this working group I’m not alone in believing that this process was flawed.
There was incomplete and inaccurate information prepared by the City. As a taxpayer I’m disappointed at the low level of effort and attention to reasonable alternatives, especially for the biggest project in Ottawa’s history. We have grave concerns with the process and the outcome."
"The City holds the key to give a green project such as the Ottawa Sports Park (OSP) a chance at success", says Larry Pegg of Ecoview. "We have a crisis in sportsfields in this City. We’re short by 200. We’ve also got an obvious health crisis with problems like asthma due to declining air quality, obesity and type 2 diabetes due to poor diet and inactivity. These are serious problems that the OSP helps to address. The proximity to the LRT will allow for easy access to the site for players from all over town. The fields will be privately managed with no requirement for public funds. We’ll even pay taxes. A rail yard at Bowesville won’t address this issue or pay taxes."
Pegg says "The OSP has always had a credible plan to address bird hazard safety, one that the Airport can add value to, but that’s only going to be possible if the City gets behind it. On behalf of sports groups, those suffering from illness and other health issues, I’m asking the City to get behind the OSP. We want a stay of execution so we can study and demonstrate the obvious benefits."
The PWG feels that its environmentally complimentary plan for the site is a more fitting use for the Bowesville location. Selection of the Walkely yards, an existing train facility, would be in keeping with the goals of the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy.
Mayoral candidate Alex Munter will be present and will speak in support of reusing Walkley Yard and to encourage Council to get behind the OSP.
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Note to editors: For more details about the rail yard issue go to www.saveourgreespace.ca
April 26th, 2006
For Immediate Release
ATTN: News and Sports Editors:
Alex Munter Calls for Council Study the OSP
This afternoon, April 26th, Doug Thompson's Motion to study the economic
benefits of and perceived risks associated with the creation of a sports
facility will be voted upon.
Mayoral Candidate Alex Munter has come out in support of the motion that
supports the Ottawa Sports Park.
"I regret that I can not join you this noon hour as I am speaking at the
Council on Aging luncheon but I wanted to express my support for your cause.
Ottawa does not have enough sportsfields for athletes of all ages and many
existing fields are only accessible by car, putting them out-of-reach of
many residents. The Ottawa Sports Park proposal offers numerous potential
benefits: 30 new fields, without major public costs, on the proposed
light-rail line.
I call on Ottawa City Council to give this plan serious consideration. This
opportunity should not be cavalierly discarded. It should be carefully
examined because these kinds of opportunities do not come frequently.
Throughout our city, I hear from residents and businesses who want the LRT
expansion done right and for the right reasons. Getting it right, in this
case, means doing our homework about the Ottawa Sports Park proposal. The
city should not slam the door on the tens of thousands of soccer and
ultimate players who could benefit from this innovative idea."
There will be a rally from various sports groups (soccer, ultimate) and
members of the community who want to show their support to address Ottawa's
200 sportsfields deficit. The rally will occur from noon until one o'clock
outside on the Lisgar St. side of City Hall.
This important motion draws attention to the proposal to create a 30 soccer
field facility on Transport Canada Lands south of the airport. In
particular, it is calling for a study to determine what risks are associated
with locating a facility such as this near an airport and the economic
impact of such a facility in comparison to the alternative of a rail yard
facility. Similar sports facilities exist in close proximity to airports in
Canada and all over the world and the Ottawa Sports Park urges City Council
and the OAA to
The OSP plans to create 30 full size soccer fields on the site to help
alleviate the 200 plus sports field deficit that exist in Ottawa. The
proximity to the LRT will allow for easy access to the site for players from
all over town. The fields will be privately managed with no requirement for
public funds.
Ecoview has written support for this motion and the concept for the OSP from
The Riverside South Community Association, The Ottawa Carleton Ultimate
Association, Ottawa St. Anthony's Italia Soccer Club, Kanata Soccer Club,
Ottawa Fury Soccer Club, Juventus Soccer Club and Ottawa United Soccer Club.
More support is coming soon.
Detailed information on this issue can be found at Ecoview's website at
www.ecoview.com or by calling Larry Pegg at 613-821-1980
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April 25th, 2006
For Immediate Release:
ATTN News and Sports Editors
Community Rallies behind Doug Thompson's Sportsfield Motion
Tommorrow, April 26th, Doug Thompson's Motion to study the economic benefits
of perceived risks associated with the creation of a sports facility will be
voted upon. Weather permitting, there will be a rally from various sports
groups (soccer, ultimate) and members of the community who want to show
their support to address Ottawa's 200 sportsfields deficit.
The rally will occur from noon until one o'clock outside on the Lisgar St.
side of City Hall.
This important motion draws attention to the proposal to create a 30 soccer
field facility on Transport Canada Lands south of the airport. In particular
it is calling for a study to determine what risks are associated with
locating a facility such as this near an airport and the economic impact of
such a facility in comparison to the alternative of a rail yard facility.
Larry Pegg, proponent for the Ottawa Sports Park (OSP) feels that its
environmentally complimentary plan for the site is a
more fitting use for the Bowesville location. Selection of the Walkley
yards, an existing train facility, would be in keeping with the goals of the
city's Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy.
The OSP plans to create 30 full size soccer fields on the site to help
alleviate the 200 plus sports field deficit that exist in Ottawa. The
proximity to the LRT will allow for easy access to the site for players from
all over town. The fields will be privately managed with no requirement for
public funds.
"Currently there are soccer clubs that are forced to turn players away or
offer a reduced soccer program because they lack sufficient fields." Says
Pegg. "The OSP will help increase off peak ridership of the LRT as soccer
players commute to their evening and weekend games."
Ecoview has written support for this motion and the concept for the OSP from
The Riverside South Community Association, The Ottawa Carleton Ultimate
Association, Ottawa St. Anthony's Italia Soccer Club, Kanata Soccer Club,
Ottawa Fury Soccer Club, Juventus Soccer Club and Ottawa United Soccer Club.
More support is coming soon.
Detailed information on this issue can be found at Ecoview's website at
www.ecoview.com or by calling Larry Pegg at 613-821-1980
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