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More to issue than costs

I am getting very tired of all the negative press the Robron artificial turf soccer field is getting

I am a 15-year-old student from Carihi and I play soccer.

I am getting very tired of all the negative press the Robron artificial turf soccer field is getting in the papers. We need a turf field, everyone in the soccer community knows how important it is for Campbell River. It’s very likely that the opponents to this project don’t have any involvement in soccer at all.

Every other community has one or more artificial turf fields. This gives them an advantage competitively in tournaments and practice time. The game on turf is so much faster, we are completely disadvantaged when we play out of town. Playing on artificial turf is a great experience – there are no holes, the ground is perfectly even, and you can play in all weather. Our fields are often closed because of rain and freezing temperatures; artificial turf fields are not affected by this.

Most people are opposed to the Robron project because of the cost. However, according to the local papers, the St. Ann’s block upgrade costs over $4 million! Yet nobody has blasted that idea. For the $4 million we will get new trees, new benches, some garden areas and new street lights. This project will not promote health in years to come, the same way being involved with sports can.

I may not pay taxes yet, but soon I will start and I will continue paying them for them rest of my life. Will I have to support through the medical system the same people that don’t want to support sports? Does nobody see the irony? It might look like a big cost now, but is it not worth it to invest for the future? This field would promote physical activity, how can we put a price on the health benefits?

Tell me Mayor Jakeway and city councillors, what will the St. Ann’s block improvements do for the health of our community?

Marita Lindenbach

Campbell River