Neighbours not happy about plan for soccer field at school
A deal between the Catholic school board and a local soccer organization to build a $2-million artificialturf field at Immaculata High School has offended neighbours because no one asked what they think about the project.
“The big concern is this is an area that was a shared space between the school and the community,” Joanne Lostracco said Thursday. “It’s a beautiful green space and there are few of them left in our community.”
Lostracco lives on Glenora Street, which stops at a dead-end at the high school’s sports field. The school is in Old Ottawa East along the Rideau Canal.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board announced in February it’s partnering with the Ottawa Footy Sevens to install the turf surface and LED field lighting starting in mid-April. The work is scheduled to be done in August.
The soccer organization is paying for the construction and operation of the field. The school board is paying to replace the stone-dust running track with a synthetic surface.
The school will have exclusive use of the field until 6 p.m. on weekdays and some evenings for games, tournaments and community events at no charge. The Footy Sevens get the field after 6 p.m. and can collect revenue off renting the field.
A report received by the school board on Feb. 13 says the deal is for 21 years, with a possible five-year extension. Footy Sevens must keep a reserve fund to replace the turf and be responsible for any maintenance to the field, the report says.
According to the report to the school board, talks with Ottawa Footy Sevens have happened for the past year.
That’s news to neighbours. Lostracco said she didn’t find out about the project until it was posted on the school board’s website.
“People were shocked. People were not informed,” Lostracco said. “It’s going to significantly disrupt the neighbourhood and nobody knows what that’s going to look like.”
Lostracco is particularly worried about the field lights shining onto neighbouring properties.
In a written statement, director of education Denise Andre said “minimal light spillage” is expected.
A newsletter to the school community included information about the project, and the school board sent out a news release and published details on social media, Andre said. A meeting with the Old Ottawa East Community Association is scheduled for Friday, she said.
Chris Surgeoner, co-owner and administrator of the Ottawa Footy Sevens, said the location is perfect since it’s near bike paths, public transit and main streets. There’s plenty of parking at the school.
The multi-use turf field will be fenced, with access limited to those who have permission.
From what Capital Coun. David Chernushenko has researched, there only needs to be a drainage plan submitted to the city and an adherence to bylaws enforcing fence height, lighting and noise.
Neighbours have started a “save our field” campaign on Facebook.
Lostracco doesn’t understand how the school board can construct an illuminated sports field without a consultation and municipal approval.
“I’m willing to talk about it and I think many neighbours are willing to talk about it, but nobody asked,” Lostracco said.