Indoor turf field among topics of discussions at budget open house

By Ron Giofu

The Town of Amherstburg changed budget consultation formats and a main topic of the new format that came out was about a recreation proposal.

Representatives of the Amherstburg Indoor Sports Association (AISA) and the Amherstburg Soccer Club (ASC) were some of those on hand at the Libro Centre Saturday morning for an open house on the budget. While previous years have seen a public meeting established where the draft budget was presented followed by public questions and commitments, this year saw the public able to go from table to table where department heads and staff fielded questions.

All seven members of town council were also on hand talking to the public and fielding questions.

A proposed conversion of the indoor turf field at the Libro Centre into a gymnasium, complete with a change from the turf field to a multi-purpose gymnasium-style flooring, is included as part of the draft capital budget. That drew out people both pro and con to the proposal.

Should it be approved, the 2023 cost would be $75,000 for a sports’ needs study, while $250,000 is earmarked to convert the space into a gymnasium each year from 2024-27. A budget paper on the subject notes the town was approached by the AISA asking to convert the space into a five-sport gymnasium, with administration recommending the conversion due to the turf field being “underutilized.”

Nick Cacciato, president of the ASC, said the organization doesn’t oppose the AISA having their own gymnasium, but not at the expense of the turf field.

“I’m here in opposition to the proposal by the AISA to remove the turf and replace it with a gymnasium and multiuse facility,” said Cacciato.

Cacciato said the AISA “deserve a facility” but didn’t want that facility to be the Libro Centre turf field.

“I think we can work together,” said Cacciato. “I think we can come up with some solutions.”

Cacciato said he only learned of the proposal two days earlier when speaking with council members and believed while there are “a lot of good people” on council and in administration, he said ASC wants to preserve the turf field.

Tina Duby, describing herself as a “frustrated parent,” added she is also opposed to changing the turf field into a gymnasium. She believes the turf field is a service to youth and she feared a loss in programming for the ASC. She added she was not aware of any data stating

Florida crash claims life of Amherstburg man

By RTT Staff

An Amherstburg man passed away earlier this month as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident in Florida.

According to a report from the Fort Myers News-Press, the 77-year-old Amherstburg man died when his SUV collided with a bus.

The report states the crash occurred Feb. 3 around 4 p.m. along Summerlin Road, near San Carlos Boulevard in Fort Myers. That information came from a Florida Highway Patrol incident report, the paper stated.

According to the report, the SUV was travelling westbound on additional utilization by changing it into a gymnasium.

Summerlin Road and attempted to turn left onto San Carlos Boulevard.

A Lee County Transit Bus was eastbound on Summerlin Road approaching the intersection.

The report alleged the SUV turned left in front of the bus, with the bus colliding with the side of the SUV.

The driver of the SUV was transported to hospital where he later passed away.

Two other occupants of the SUV were taken to the Gulf Coast Medical Centre with critical injuries, the Florida newspaper stated.

State troopers stated the bus wasn’t carrying any passengers, the Fort Myers News-Press also reported.

“So many people have spent a lot of time building up the program,” she said. Duby added her son utilizes the facility three times per week.

“I’m frustrated,” she added.

Joseph Thachen-Cary, a representative of AISA, said they are a group that supports multiple sports in town with no interest of “cannibalizing” anyone. He said they are looking forward to discussing issues with soccer club representatives and those from ultimate frisbee.

“I can respect the soccer people saying they don’t want to lose the turf,” said Thachen-Cary.

Sports like volleyball and basketball want a harder surface to play on, with Thachen-Cary adding their group is more than just pickleball. He said he has heard from people thinking their proposal is just for pickleball players. He said they want to keep people in town and offer an affordable solution, adding volleyball is a growing sport.

“They have to travel long distances and take our user fees with them to other municipalities,” said ThachenCary, “and drive thousands of kilometres every week.”

Using school gymnasiums isn’t as easy as it seems, the AISA maintained, noting those gyms are not available during the day, have limited usage at night and not at all on the weekends.

“We’re looking for solutions that are good for all and one that is viable,” he said.

“Everyone’s got ideas,” said Mayor Michael Prue. “There are some misconceptions.”

Prue added he has received “dozens of e-mails” on the turf field/gymnasium issue and he said if council chooses to remove the $75,000 included in this year’s budget, it would reduce the budget by 0.25 per cent.

“I want to hear what council has to say,” said Prue.

There were residents speaking about their water, taxes, roadwork among other issues, Prue added.

The new open house format was something Prue was pleased with.

“This is a good venue. They are getting to talk to staff one-on-one,” said Prue. “I think it’s great. I’m glad staff did this.”

Town council will try to lower an initial budget figure of 4.23 per cent. Operating budget deliberations will be Feb. 21 (6-10 p.m.), Feb. 22 (9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) and Feb. 23 (1-7 p.m., if necessary). Capital budget deliberations will be Feb. 27 (6-10 p.m.), Feb. 28 (9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) and March 2 (1-7 p.m., if necessary).