Toronto city council backs artificial U of T turf
Posted June 12, 2013 6:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Toronto city council has voted in favour of artificial turf at the University of Toronto’s back campus.
Council voted to support artificial turf that officials say is required to host field hockey during the 2015 Pan Am Games.
Coun. Adam Vaughan says the artificial turf threatens the beauty and natural environment of the U of T back campus.
“I’m disappointed. I think the landscape that defines the University of Toronto is one of the most significant green spaces in the province,” he said.
“It was set up and designed to frame the university buildings in a very particular way and that will be lost as a result of today’s decision.”
But Coun. Michael Thompson says the grass field is a muddy mess much of the year and useless to students.
“We should all be embarrassed that such a field exists at the University of Toronto, with its great reputation,” he said.
Olympic medalist and U of T hockey coach Vicky Sunohara says the grass field, in its current state, is little use to anyone.
“I just think this [artificial] turf will increase the usage of these fields so much for our high performance teams, our inter-murals,” she said.
A petition garnered thousands of signatures to have the grass field designated as a heritage site.
City staff warned council if they blocked the turf plan, they could be sued by the university, which would be on the hook for millions for breaking contracts.
Ground breaking is scheduled for July 1.
On Tuesday, council voted to consider adopting a ranked ballot system and traffic signal co-ordination. They also approved a proposal to ask the province to give permanent residents the right to vote in municipal elections.
Queen’s Park must now decide whether to make legislative amendments.
City council will resume Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
