Letter to the Editor - Barrie Examiner

I sent the following to the Examiner today - we'll watch for it!

We'd like to thank Barrie and Simcoe County residents for the positive response to the concerns raised regarding SCDSB's proposal to clear cut 1.4 acres of mixed woodlot on the grounds of Bear Creek Secondary School and replace it with a practice sports field.
Much has happened since we were first alerted and we wanted to continue to share the story. Response to the petition (online version with comments - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveBearCreekForest/index.html) continues to grow and from this, three stewardship issues have been recognized. First, environmental. With a robust Environmental Policy in place, why this it is not feasible to preserve this woodlot? Second, financial. One might infer from this plan that all the other schools in the County have the requisite sports facilities and that this is the best way to spend the limited resources. Also, will the net annual operating expense increase arising from the new field maintenance be part of the current funding or is it going to result additional funds being needed? Finally, educational. We recognize that Bear Creek is overpopulated, but how does an additional field serve the entire student population?We are concerned by the lack of options being considered. Why not expand the use of the existing field? Why not replace the existing gravel track with a rubber surfaced track? Why not use the existing public soccer field 400 meters from the school? Why not consider placing the field atop the pipeline right of way that crosses the school property?