A request for Oshawa school sports field funding has been denied after city officials determined that existing community sports fields are not being fully utilized.
The Durham Catholic District School Board had asked the City of Oshawa to contribute $400,000 toward the installation of outdoor lighting for an 11v11 natural turf sports field and track at the new replacement school for Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School, currently under construction in northeast Oshawa.
The new school is being built at the southeast corner of Greenhill Avenue and Harmony Road and is expected to open in the fall of 2027.
City staff reported that Oshawa currently has 29 community sports fields, of which three are lit, with a prime-time utilization rate of 58 per cent, up from 50 per cent in 2023. Based on current and projected demand, staff recommended declining the funding request.
While denying the request, city staff thanked the school board for the opportunity to partner, noting that the city already contributed $250,000 toward lighting upgrades at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School. In that case, the city will receive dedicated field access for community sports organizations on designated evenings.
City officials concluded that, given current usage levels, entering into an additional funding agreement for the new school’s sports field is not justified at this time.
Photo Credits : https://www.insauga.com/sports-field-funding-for-under-construction-school-in-ontario-denied-by-city/
