Whistle Bend sports complex back before Whitehorse council

It looked like it was game over for a proposed sports complex in Whitehorse's Whistle Bend neighbourhood, but as of Monday evening, play has resumed.

New citycouncillorSamson Hartlandrevived a rezoning application that the previous council rejected in April. The rezoning would allow the Yukon government to move ahead with plans to build two outdoor soccer pitches and an eight-lane running track.

Hartlandmade a campaignpromiseto re-introducethe plan to the new council.

"I'm of the mind that if we look at this through the eyes ofa rezoning application, and strictly a rezoning application, I'm of positive mind and positive thought on this one," Hartland said.

'What is the necessity?'

Mayor Dan Curtis is still skeptical.

"What we look at is necessity. What is the necessity of this?" Curtis asked. He saysWhitehorse has plenty of sports facilities andnot all ofthem are well-used.

"We are really the envy of the entire Yukon," Curtis said. "Quite frankly, it makes us a feel a little guilty when we see areas throughout the Yukon that have inadequate recreational facilities, and we're contemplating putting a six or an eightmillion dollar facility for three months of the year."

Curtis also saysthere are still no guarantees that the territory would pay for the facility's operations ifrental fees fall short.

"When there's just a winkwink, nudge nudge, 'we'll take care of it'that's not good enough," Curtis said.

Two re-elected councillorshave indicated that they're open to reconsidering the application.

Jocelyn Curteanu voted in favour of it last spring, and has said council should focus only on the zoning issue. CouncillorBetty Irwin voted against the application last spring, but has said she couldchange her mind with more information.

The zoning application goes to second reading on Nov. 30.