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Sports fields are feasible on UW lands: report Watetloo city counâ€" cil made a deciâ€" sion on Monday night that could pave the way for sports fields to be built on a University of Waterloo environ â€" mental reserve in the future. Council has approved an environâ€" mental assessment addendum that states constructing sports fields on 15 acres of the university‘s north camâ€" pus, which is off Westâ€" mount _ Road _ by Columbia Lake, is feaâ€" sible as long as several considerations . are met. These fields would be part of the project to build a joint library and recreation facility on the city‘s west side. This project Residents hope new council will bring new perspective on Clair Lake Continued from page 3 there would be some tough tradeâ€"offs in terms of water flow and erosion controls to address some of the issues the city was facing with Clair Creek. Residents like Dick Schnarr and Carl Kautman, who live next to Clair Lake Park and oppose the plan to take it offâ€" line, are hoping a new council means new thinking on the project. They said they can‘t find a successful example of a body of water that has been taken offâ€" line which doesn‘t end up stagâ€" "They rejected them all," said Mover. By JenniFer Ormston www.welcometostratford.com stor By 47 DOWNIE STREET « 519.271.5140 Chronicle Staff includes a memoranâ€" dum of understanding between the university and the city to develop 23 acres of sports fields on the university‘s north campus But council‘s deciâ€" sion doesn‘t mean sports fields will be built any time soon. Tim Anderson, the city‘s general manager of public works, said no work will be comâ€" missioned on these lands until the recreâ€" ation and leisure servâ€" ices master plan is completed. The lands in quesâ€" tion are currently used to grow cotn, although a 2003 environmental assessment recomâ€" mended they be conâ€" verted to an open field meadow. The addendum was required to consider an alternate land use â€" Sample Stratford... The Stratford and Arca 2007 Menu Guide has arrived â€" 50 menus and information from local restaurants and food shops â€" with a special introduction by Marion Kane, Toronto Star Food Columnist. PDF guide available online. nating after it‘s done. "We want them to leave the pond the way it is," said Kaufâ€" man. "Why destroy an efficient, healthy lake and replace it with a dead pond?" Schnart said it was an experâ€" iment that the city can‘t afford to make, and is unsure what they would do to reverse it if they were wrong. In the meanâ€" time, he said, the body of water would become home to algae and other environmental degraâ€" dation and turn into a swamp like an similar project in Camâ€" bridge‘s Soper Park. "Why don‘t they just dredge it." said Schnarr. "This is the sports fields â€" and to address any environâ€" mental implications of doing so. Now that it‘s been passed, the report will be publicly filed for a 30â€"day review period, said Denise McGoldrick, a city environmental project manager. During that time, stakeholders and citiâ€" zens can review the document and bring their concerns forward to city staff. "If they‘re not happy with the response, they can contact the Minâ€" istry of the Environâ€" ment to request a Part 2 order," she said. adding the project is preâ€"approved unless there is a request. [his report was brought before council at its Feb. 19 meeting, but the decision was cheapest way to do it. "It‘s functioned for 58 years and we have no algae, no mosâ€" quitoes and no odour. "Why would you fool around with some technical design problem when it already works." Schnarr, who has collected a petition with 270 signatures, said he‘s contacted the mayor‘s office and they were supposed to meet with councillors on an individual basis to discuss their concerns. But so far only a few of them have committed. Council will address the issue April 30 at a committee of whole meeting. with a final decision the following week. delayed for a number of reasons, including the counciliors‘ desire to receive additional legal counsel and to evaluate other suitable lands for sports fields. John Brouwer, who was a member of an advisory committee on the reserve‘s 2003 enviâ€" ronmental assessment, spoke against the addendum report at Monday‘s meeting. He said ecglogical diversity in the reserve led to that assessment‘s recommendation to restore the lands to old fields. "{That) would creâ€" ate a unique ecological area, which could proâ€" vide succession habitat for _ areaâ€"sensitive species," he said, adding those kinds of habitats are in decline around Waterloo Region. Looking for a Better Fit? SURRENDER YOUR JSENJEJ Spring in Stratford Enter online to win an unforgettable weekend getaway for twao. WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, April 25, 2007 * 7