Town approves agreements for Field of Dreams project By CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Significant steps were taken at a Halton Hills council meeting recently to move along the Field of Dreams project. The Field of Dreams is a community-driven initiative that includes a full-sized artificial turf field (lined for both football and soccer), sportsfield lighting, six-lane rubberized track, bleachers, fencing, scoreboard, site works and space allocation for a future field house. Total cost for the project is about $2.1 million. Halton District School Board (HDSB) trustee for Halton Hills, Gillian Tuck Kutarna, said now that all sides have approved all of the agreements, bulldozers are on site. "It has been said there is no power greater than a community that decides what it needs and then works together to fill that need. The Field of Dreams is that power and we are truly a dynamo," said Alice Strachan, president of the Georgetown Soccer Club, one of the groups on the committee making the dream come true. Council unanimously approved a development agreement with the Halton District School Board, amendments to the existing reciprocal agreement related to facilities, and financial agreements with the Georgetown Soccer Club and Halton Hills Minor Football Association. HDSB trustees approved the agreement in March. HDSB agreed to secure a 20-year $1.47 million loan at 5.8% interest, contribute $300,000 already planned for the revitalization of the field, and co-ordinate the field construction concurrently with the ongoing high school construction project. Georgetown Soccer Club (GSC) and Halton Hills Minor Football Association (HHMFA) agreed to commit to a minimum number of rental hours annually at $150/hour over the next 20 years. That would generate $132,600/ year to pay the annual cost of the loan. These hours represent 50 per cent of the possible rental hours. The Town has committed to admin- 5 CONCEPT Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, May 11, 2010 istration of the field rentals and scheduling as well as maintenance. While it has made no capital contribution to the project, it has agreed to guarantee the $1.47 million loan. The Field of Dreams fundraising committee raised $423,268 for the project, with commitments for $155,000 in the next four years. Town Director of Recreation and Parks Terry Alyman told council while there may be a risk in the next 20 years that the two clubs could fold, indications are that soccer and football are growing sports. Still, it was not an easy decision to commit to these financial agreements said Strachan. "Our organizations (GSC and HHMFA) believe in this and have literally put their money where their mouth is. We have made financial commitments for the next 20 years in order to sustain this great facility. ...These were not easy decisions for organizations that operate on participant registration fees," she said. The financial agreement with the two clubs also ensurea repayment of the loan through committed use of the field, despite a recent announcement by Halton Catholic District School Board that it was building its own artificial field at Christ the King. Alyman said while GSC and HHMFA won't be prevented in using the Catholic school's field, they are still obligated to use the Georgetown High field for the required number of hours at the set rate. Community partnership such as this will become more important in the coming years as municipalities and school boards cut back on spending, said Strachan. 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Charged with having over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood is Mary Lavin, 49. ··· All four tires were slashed late Saturday or early Sunday on a vehicle parked in the driveway of a Beardmore Cr. home. Damage is $280. ··· Halton Police received several reports of car entries in town over the past several days. Cars were entered on Serenity St., Argyll Rd., Barber Dr., Orchid Ave. and Delrex Blvd. in Georgetown. Several items were taken, including prescription medication and dentures from a vehicle on Delrex late Thursday or early Friday. See dealer for complete details. Prices are plus PST + GST. All rebates assigned to dealer. OAC. Vehicles not exactly as illustrated. Must be a Costco member as of April 30, 2010. CONCEPT 361 Guelph St. (Hwy. #7), Georgetown 905-873-1626 www.conceptford.com