The forward-looking Plan: - build a multi sport and activities destination facility with tournament fields in Oshawa. The benefits: a healthier, more active, family friendly community, providing motivation and opportunities for Oshawa youth, increased athletic development, as well as economic growth for the city.
It is a convincing proposal made by a sincere group of local sports enthusiasts who invited all Oshawa municipal election candidates to an information meeting this evening. With approximately 40 of the 50 registered candidates in attendance the two hour presentation was hosted by Oshawa Sport Alliance, spokesperson members Will Thurber, President of the Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club, Barb Boyes founder and Executive Director of the Lady Blue Knights Women's Lacrosse Club, and Ken Babcock, President of Baseball Oshawa and Director of Athletics & Recreation at Durham College & UOIT.
The interesting talk and powerpoint they gave touched on the history of sports in Oshawa, from the first organized sports groups: in 1884, the Oshawa Cricket Club, and in 1886 an Oshawa Lacrosse group, then the Oshawa Athletic Association's formation and purchase of land at Alexandra Park in 1902, and on through the years many more leagues, and superb facilities like the Civic and Legends, with the combined support and resources from municipal and provincial governments and contributions from certain philanthropic personalities and passionate volunteers, together with examples of success stories like the 2015 Frank Sobil Spring soccer tournament which brought over 410 teams from across Canada and the U.S. to Oshawa.
The discussion then turned to the limitations of the current set up…the playing field shortages, the reaching out to Clarington, Port Perry, Scarborough for use of their fields when Oshawa’s key parks are in unsuitable condition, or simply unavailable. One example: the pressure on Lakeview Park’s baseball diamond and how baseball is not permitted for three key weekends in the summer (Canada Day, Rib Fest and Auto Fest) .
They each presented a compelling case for a grand plan, and one which, with the work of many and backing of more could happen. As Barb Boyes who started the Oshawa women's Lady Blue Knights lacrosse club in 2000 to become the biggest and most successful lacrosse team in Canada, said, Oshawa really should aim high and can strive to be in the top ten on the list of most active communities in Canada.
It is a convincing proposal made by a sincere group of local sports enthusiasts who invited all Oshawa municipal election candidates to an information meeting this evening. With approximately 40 of the 50 registered candidates in attendance the two hour presentation was hosted by Oshawa Sport Alliance, spokesperson members Will Thurber, President of the Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club, Barb Boyes founder and Executive Director of the Lady Blue Knights Women's Lacrosse Club, and Ken Babcock, President of Baseball Oshawa and Director of Athletics & Recreation at Durham College & UOIT.
The interesting talk and powerpoint they gave touched on the history of sports in Oshawa, from the first organized sports groups: in 1884, the Oshawa Cricket Club, and in 1886 an Oshawa Lacrosse group, then the Oshawa Athletic Association's formation and purchase of land at Alexandra Park in 1902, and on through the years many more leagues, and superb facilities like the Civic and Legends, with the combined support and resources from municipal and provincial governments and contributions from certain philanthropic personalities and passionate volunteers, together with examples of success stories like the 2015 Frank Sobil Spring soccer tournament which brought over 410 teams from across Canada and the U.S. to Oshawa.
The discussion then turned to the limitations of the current set up…the playing field shortages, the reaching out to Clarington, Port Perry, Scarborough for use of their fields when Oshawa’s key parks are in unsuitable condition, or simply unavailable. One example: the pressure on Lakeview Park’s baseball diamond and how baseball is not permitted for three key weekends in the summer (Canada Day, Rib Fest and Auto Fest) .
They each presented a compelling case for a grand plan, and one which, with the work of many and backing of more could happen. As Barb Boyes who started the Oshawa women's Lady Blue Knights lacrosse club in 2000 to become the biggest and most successful lacrosse team in Canada, said, Oshawa really should aim high and can strive to be in the top ten on the list of most active communities in Canada.