Latest news with #JoySul
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
St. Andrews Soccer Association in search of new field after getting the boot
Youth soccer teams in St. Andrews are getting kicked off their pitches and their association said they have no fields to land on. Since 2009, the St. Andrews Soccer Association has been allowed to host games for kids at a location in the middle of the St. Andrews Airport. But in March, the airport, which is owned by the RM, said it needs the space to expand, and told the association 2026 would be the last season it could use the fields for soccer and their 320 players. Association director Adam Praznik called the decision mind-blowing. 'To receive the boot because of politics between the airport and the RM, just not right,' said Praznik. In a statement, airport Executive Director Zachary Holden said the airport is the ninth busiest in Canada based on movements and it needs the expansion for aviation purposes. He says the area is not zoned for recreation and soccer was always a temporary use. 'The decision was made to delay the development of that area for two years to allow ample time for soccer to find a new home,' said Holden. Praznik is calling on St. Andrew's council to help them because he claims the RM failed to move ahead with plans to build public soccer fields. 'We need a permanent solution or at the bare minimum, an extension of our airport lease so that we have certainty going into next season that we're not going off a cliff and community soccer will be dying,' said Praznik. Mayor Joy Sul said there is a solution. A private business is spending more than $4 million on soccer fields nearby and there is a deal in place for public access once they open. 'Council ensured that there is in the lease agreement with them that 20 per cent of the time be allowed for residents of St. Andrews, and we fully support the kids,' said Sul. Praznik says that's not enough to meet their demands. 'It's also a business, they run programming the same times as us over the same season. You physically can not have two soccer games happening on the same pitches at the same time,' said Praznik.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘I feel that we didn't have a voice': St. Andrews residents speak out against development project
A group of residents in the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews is voicing opposition to a gated community of duplexes planned for a 20-acre swath of land. Jason Sandilands, a resident of the RM, said the land was zoned for 11 lots, but the proposed development would far exceed that. 'They want to push 76 lots onto it, which causes all types of questions and concerns,' he said. Sandilands was among dozens of residents who shared their concerns at a council meeting earlier this month. They argued 38 duplexes would put a strain on water supply, existing infrastructure, community services and would go against residential zoning requirements. Despite the concerns, Sandilands said those objections fell on deaf ears as council approved the subdivision. 'I feel that we didn't have a voice at the council meeting, and we feel that diplomacy should be taken quite seriously,' he said. Mayor Joy Sul voted in favour of the development to grow St. Andrews' population, keep taxes from increasing, and address the needs of aging residents. 'People are looking for smaller lots. You're getting older, you can't maintain your yard. This is perfect,' said Sul. She said many of the issues residents brought up will be addressed as the project moves forward. 'There was a long list of conditions placed on the developer who will have to go through Red River Planning (District), the province,' said Sul. 'He has to meet all the conditions before he can proceed.' Sandilands said he is not against developing the land into housing, but he's worried this plan could set a precedent. 'There is four parcels of land here and this is just the one parcel that we're talking about,' he said. Residents are now gathering signatures for a petition being sent to the province and Red River Planning District board.
