West Ottawa Soccer Club

Dear Members and others;

With regards to the Capital Hoedown planned for August 2012, I am sorry to report that it has been confirmed this event will take place directly on a soccer field at the KRC. The David Ireland Field (formerly Walter Baker South) will be used by spectators to view this event. During recent consultations with Councillor Hubley we were told that the city would ensure that the promoter installs substantial metal fencing around the other adjacent fields to minimize the risk of damage to these fields as well. We have communicated the following position to the city:

• While supportive of the event we believe permanent damage will be done to the field in question.
• We believe that this is a terrible precedent to set with regards to the usage of athletic fields and a misuse of an asset put in place by taxpayers.
• We believe that there are other possible venues.
• We are concerned that there was no consultation with users before the decision was made.
• We hope that the city may yet be convinced to move this event to a more suitable location.

I ask that you consider contacting city council and the mayor and express to them your concern. Hopefully we can convince them to move the event to a more suitable location.

Brian Mason
President, West Ottawa Soccer Club

List of representatives provided for your convenience

Jim.Watson@ottawa.ca, Stephen.Blais@ottawa.ca, Rainer.Bloess@ottawa.ca, David.Chernushenko@ottawa.ca, Rick.Chiarelli@ottawa.ca, Peter.Clark@ottawa.ca, Diane.Deans@ottawa.ca, Steve.Desroches@ottawa.ca, Eli.El-Chantiry@ottawa.ca, Mathieu.Fleury@ottawa.ca, Jan.Harder@ottawa.ca, Katherine.Hobbs@ottawa.ca, Diane.Holmes@ottawa.ca, Allan.Hubley@ottawa.ca, Peter.Hume@ottawa.ca, Maria.Mcrae@ottawa.ca, Scott.Moffatt@ottawa.ca, Bob.Monette@ottawa.ca, Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca, Mark.Taylor@ottawa.ca, Doug.Thompson@ottawa.ca, Tim.Tierney@ottawa.ca, Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca