Last week Mayor Greg Gardner said it was likely "unfeasible" to install artificial turf on one all-weather field in 2011, but it was clear at Tuesday's (July 5) District of Squamish council meeting that some councillors had different expectations.
Coun. Rob Kirkham said he was concerned a request for preconditions of release of the $500,000 allocated to the project from the Sports Legacy Fund wasn't enough.
"I'm hoping we can be more definitive about what we have in mind," he said. "Time is a factor that some people are concerned about, so I don't want it to just be left as it is because in my mind it's vague."
Councillors Corinne Lonsdale and Patricia Heintzman agreed, with Lonsdale saying she was mindful that the price council had been quoted ($1 million for one field) was only guaranteed for a limited time and she didn't want to miss the window of opportunity by delaying the discussion.
"I'd like to know how we may move forward with it, period, not just the preconditions," Lonsdale said. "I'd like to know if we were moving forward, and I hope we can move forward during this term in office."
Coun. Paul Lalli made a motion to discuss the preconditions of release, as well as potential timelines and next steps for the projects at the council meeting on July 19. Gardner asked that it be discussed at a Committee of the Whole meeting instead.
Coun. Bryan Raiser also supported a move to "getting the ball rolling" and said it made sense because the project cost $1 million, the Sports Legacy Fund provided $500,000, there was $400,000 earmarked in the 2011 capital budget and the Squamish Soccer Association had raised $100,000.
Coun. Doug Race said he would oppose the motion because of its broad nature.
"I don't mind asking for what was requested on June 21 [the preconditions of release], but based on some councillors' comments I wonder whether that would lead to some decisions on spending," he said.
He said even with the $1 million Raiser mentioned, there would be taxes. Race said he would not support the $400,000 in capital borrowing until he saw a recreational master plan and five-year capital budget.
Gardner said he shared the same concerns and would also vote against the motion.
Kirkham said he felt a dialogue was necessary.
"I'm looking for discussion about how to proceed and I want to see it sooner than later," he said.
"I want to have at least the discussion and agreement on how this is going to move forward, and look at it from the perspective of what can we do for $1 million?"
Lalli's motion was carried, with Race and Gardner opposed.
Council unites over Farmers Park
Despite the deliberations and 4-3 vote about whether to downzone the 50-acre Brackendale Farmers Institute Park parcel of land made at the Committee of the Whole last week, the motion was carried unanimously on Tuesday.
The motion, put forward by Lonsdale, was a move to protect the land from development as it is currently zoned RS-1 (single family residential) and is not owned by the district.
Gardner, Race and Kirkham were opposed to the motion because in the intergovernmental accord with Squamish Nation - the anticipated purchaser - the band agreed to respect the park and said council members were concerned the move would show "bad faith" in an accord the district worked hard to reach.
However, Gardner admitted he had a conversation with a Squamish Nation representative and the response was not negative. He made it clear he had not spoken with anyone from Squamish Nation, but announced he would support the motion.
The motion to downzone the parcel to resource was carried unanimously.
