City creates field advisory board

Announced at last week's council meeting, this advisory workgroup has been created as what is seen by the City as the next step in the collaborative process to finalize design elements for the playing fields. According to a statement released by City Hall this week, the group will be "part of CouncilÕs ongoing effort to find a balanced solution, reflecting the views and needs of the entire Westmount community."

City Councillors Nicole Forbes and Cynthia Lulham have been named co-chairs of the group, which will also consist of one resident from each of the eight electoral districts in order to represent a cross-section of the entire community. The workgroup will also include one representative from the Westmount Municipal Association, the Westmount Healthy City Project, Westmount Park School and CPE Narnia.

In order to encourage a diverse representation from all of Westmount, only two residents of the same electoral district will be considered for membership. In the event that representatives from any of the above-mentioned organizations are residents of the same district, the maximum Ôtwo residents per districtÕ condition will apply. No more that one person from any designated organization will sit on the workgroup.

Last week's announcement was met with guarded optimism by Mavis Young of Melville Avenue, a member of Save the Park. "It is gratifying to see the council finally acknowledging the importance of public input and consultation," she wrote to the Examiner this week. "It is to be hoped that a solution will be found that will respect the needs of all park users Ñ children from the nearby schools, athletes, families and all citizens, without unduly restricting or favoring any particular group."

Meetings of the Playing Fields Advisory Workgroup will take place at City Hall as often as required, but the meeting schedule is yet to be determined. Interested citizens are asked to submit their names and contact information no later than Friday, Nov. 9, to:

City Councillor Nicole Forbes

Westmount Park Playing Fields Project

4333 Sherbrooke Street W.

Westmount QC H3Z 1E2

Tel: 514 989-5443 Fax: 514 989-5481

She can also be reached by e-mail at assistance@westmount.org or through the City website at www.westmount.org