Newsletter: December 6, 2024
- andrew60963
- Dec 6, 2024
- 2 min read
Softball fields on Range Road
Behind closed doors and without any public announcement, the Government of Yukon negotiated and signed a memorandum of understanding with Softball Yukon, as recently reported by the Yukon News: "Yukon government pledges to revamp Whitehorse softball grounds." The story quotes Sarah Walz, softball Yukon's executive director, as saying that, after a meeting with government, "within a month, we had a draft memorandum of understanding." The association announced the agreement to its membership in a private email.
The government issued 71 news releases in November and there have already been 10 in December. They cover matters ranging from a meeting the Premier had with the Consul General of Argentina to a meeting Minister McLean had in Charlottetown. None address this agreement with Softball Yukon. One of the releases celebrates the fact that the government was recognized for its high level of fiscal transparency. Unfortunately, the government is not adopting this same transparent attitude in its dealings with the Takhini neighbourhood.
Softball Yukon will reportedly be given two new fields as shown in the picture above (taken from the Yukon News story). One is an upgraded field on the current location and one is on the other side of Range Road.
This diagram also gives us our best look yet at the minimum amount of green space that the government is committed to clearing, despite repeated requests for preservation from our Association and other Takhini residents. And, although the field is labeled as "multi-use," the image makes it clear that the field will primarily be a collection of softball diamonds. The Association is tremendously disappointed to see that our input was completely ignored.
We are also frustrated to learn that the government was able to come to agreement with Softball Yukon in only a month. Recently the Association waited for more than a month just to receive an email with information that had been promised from the Department of Education. We feel that the needs of a seasonal user group should not be viewed as more important than the needs of year-round residents.
Federal property on Range Road available for long-term lease
The federal government recently announced that it has made 419-421 Range Road open for feedback for potential development. This is the initial step of many to make the land available for housing under long-term leases.
Given the significant above-ground and below-ground infrastructure that would likely have to be removed, development of these properties will likely not occur for a number of years. However, we are considering this in our upcoming comments to City Council regarding planning for traffic for Range Road. Any planning for Range Road and associated infrastructure needs to include the projected population growth in the neighbourhood from this and other development.
AGM in the new year
The Takhini Neighbourhood Association is one year old!
An AGM will be held in the new year. Details to come as soon as they are confirmed.
We are currently a very small board and we will be seeking new board members at the AGM. Are you interested in helping support your neighbourhood? Please consider volunteering. The time commitment is 4-6 meetings per year and about 30 minutes per week by email.