The North Bay Bulldogs Football Club headed by Marc Mathon told council last week that wants the city to honour its promise made nine years ago to add change rooms to the Omischl Sports Complex.
Marc Mathon says the current situation is unacceptable.
See related:North Bay Bulldogs say without change rooms at Omischl Sports Complex players are dressing outside
See related poll: Should the building of dressing rooms at Omischl be a priority for council?
He told city councillors that out of town teams are forced to change wherever they can find a spot, often within plain sight of the public, which includes children.
However, there still seems to be some other options for the football organization that runs beginner through to senior football programs in the city.
For instance, less than 200 yards away, about the length of two football fields, sits Sunset Park Public School.
Officials with the Near North District School Board have confirmed they would open the school up for football teams to use as a change room, however, there are no shower facilities.
“I have asked staff to look into possibly opening up Sunset as long as the City pays for staff,” stated Near North District School Board Chair David Thompson.
However, Mathon says he was never able to coordinate that in the past.
“Yes, the school next to Omischl, some years ago (we asked) but their principal didn't want to open the school for these events,” said Mathon.
“We could probably ask again.”
The Trojan Alumni Complex has its own dressing rooms underneath the stands, but the grass field would only be available for games, and officials at the school say they have not been approached by the Bulldogs to use their field this year. The former Nipissing Wild Varsity football team used the grass field last season.
Another option is the beautiful, newly renovated turf playing surface on Cundari field at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall. Mathon claims it is not available to the Bulldogs.
“They confine their rentals to Nip U. and select user groups very close to their school,” said Mathon in an email to BayToday.ca.
However, Kate Bondett, Communications Officer for Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board says that’s not the case.
“Cundari Field is available for community members or groups to rent for a fee, however, all requests are subject to availability and terms of use,” said Bondett.
