Aurora mayoral hopefuls show game faces at all-candidates meeting

Sport Aurora provides platform to address sport, recreation issues

Yorkregion.com
October 15, 2018
John Cudmore

They talk a good game.

Which, of course, was the point for the all-candidates meeting recently hosted by Sport Aurora.

Stars of the night included four Aurora mayoral candidates along with 16 at-large candidates each vying for one of six  council positions.

Mayoral candidates led the way in a fast-paced discussion in front of a crowded room with visions for sport and recreation in town.

For the mayoral hopefuls, discussing recreation and sport policy is nothing new – having each served on council at one point.

No surprise, then, a shared concern was the lack of facilities and maximizing availability to residents in the face of an expanding population speeding toward 90,000.

“We have to look at ways to acquire new lands and keep the existing lands,” said Mayor Geoff Dawe, acknowledging a land shortage of about 30 acres, dating back to 2010 when the official recreation plan was implemented.

“We must think differently (about) how to work with the facilities we have. We need to be more creative and (be) able to move forward in an expeditious way.”

Mayoral candidate Chris Ballard, former Liberal MPP and town councillor, suggested land shortage answers and managing the diverse needs of residents are beyond town lines.

“We need to look at people who don’t want to join organized activities,” said Ballard, suggesting town council has been unable to provide adequate answers over the past eight years.

“We have to figure out what to do for kids who just want to go outside and play. We should have partnerships in place with other towns and we don’t.”

Deputy mayor and mayoral candidate John Abel suggested adding more gymnasiums as a starting point along with purchasing provincially owned lands off Bloomington Road.

“A lot of research needs to be done before we invest,” he cautioned. “I would bring back to a new council (the need) to invest in good planning.”

Sport tourism also got playing time from the hopefuls.

Despite enthusiasm across the board, Aurora can only become a serious player if new venues and accommodations are created to help various sports groups host tournaments.

“We need a centre of excellence in the downtown core for all residents to go there and be active,” said current councillor and mayoral candidate Tom Mrakas. “Those facilities would help bring people into our town.”

Ballard took it one step further, suggesting culture and recreation combined would the most impact.

“We need to develop culture and recreation as destination tourism,” said Ballard. Last year, Canadians spent about $53 billion on sport and culture, with about $2 billon directed at sport, he added.

Candidates also addressed user fees, a dedicated board to recreation and sport issues and batted around the controversial construction of two baseball diamonds on the former Hallmark lands.

Each candidate expressed genuine interest in creating a fit and active community.

“We are all members of Team Aurora,” said Ballard. “All teams have great players, coaches and managers. Moms and dads put in thousands of hours in sport and recreation and they need someone to deliver.”