TCDSB shelves $2M plan to revamp high school soccer field after negative feedback from community

CTV Toronto: School denied new turf Ryerson has pulled funding on a high school after residents complained it would interfere with the quiet community. Colin D'Mello reports.

Ryerson University has shelved a plan for a $2-million upgrade to a soccer field at a Beaches-area high school after complaints from the community.

The field, located at St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School near Danforth and Greenwood Avenues, was supposed to get a FIFA-grade makeover. Ryerson, the community and the high school would have been able to use it for soccer matches.

In May, there was a surge of opposition from the community when city councilor Paula Fletcher joined the debate.

In a statement to residents, Fletcher said the field would create traffic and safety issues. The Toronto Catholic District School Board disagreed, saying they took such issues into account.

The school’s principal, however, said it is the students who will end up missing out. She called it disappointing. She said the school will update the field, but only with a couple thousand dollars.

The TCDSB said they do not think the deal would be revived.

With files from Colin D'Mello