Duane Hicks
Following a recommendation from the Community Services executive committee, town council agreed last night to name the soccer pitches at the St. Francis Sportsfield after the late councillor Struchan Gilson.
In a report from Community Services manager George Bell, he noted that for some time discussion has occurred as to the best way to recognize Gilson’s contributions to the community.
The naming of the soccer pitches was brought up and the matter discussed with the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft said naming the pitches after Gilson is a fitting tribute—and already has the blessing of Gilson’s family and local soccer associations.
“When Struchan passed away a little over three years ago, he was very, very active in the community, and the soccer community in particular, and he was instrumental in getting soccer going at the high school level and, partially I would say, instrumental in getting it going at the scale it is in the community, as well,” Coun. Wiedenhoeft noted.
“On top of that, in the summertime, when people would complain about the condition of the field at St. Francis Sportsfield Complex, Struchan was out there almost day . . . taking that water wagon and making sure those fields were watered day in and day out, summer after summer,” he added.
The resolution passed last night now will be forwarded to the separate school board for its final approval as per the joint use agreement.
If the Northwest Catholic District School Board gives its approval, the matter then will come back to the St. Francis Sportsfield management committee, which then will report back to council as to the final decision.
Coun, Wiedenhoeft clarified the Community Services executive committee only wants the two soccer pitches named after Gilson, noting the overall complex will remain the “St. Francis Sportsfield.”
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•passed a bylaw to authorize the sale of surplus property at Crowe Avenue to property owners at 912 and 914 Crowe Ave.;
•passed a bylaw, as amended, to authorize the sale of surplus property in the industrial park to Michael Patrick Carmody; and
•agreed to support a request from the Northwestern Health Unit for continued provincial funding for the FOCUS Community program (which, in turn, funds the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team).
