McCarthy Stadium Work Begins

Kaslo Poplars May Be The First Impacted

Notre Dame Regional Secondary School announced today that work is about to begin on McCarthy Stadium. In an emailed statement, the school says work crews will arrive this coming week (8 June), with “City approved tree work forming part of the initial stages of work to be addressed on the property.” It’s not clear what this “approved tree work” involves, as we’re in the middle of nesting season.

We’ll be writing the school to ensure that an important wildlife resource is not disturbed during this critical period. The lombardy poplars along Kalso Street provide nesting habitat for Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Robins, Bushtits, Chickadees, Crows and other local birds.

The statement goes on to say that the hours of work can happen from 7:30 am to 8 pm weekdays (except holidays) and from 10:00 am to 8 pm on Saturdays (except holidays). If the City approves, work can happen outside these hours.

We’re disappointed that the school is sticking to its stadium construction plan despite years of community objection. Creative alternatives, suggested by Notre Dame Neighbours and by some in the school community, have been ignored. It’s full steam ahead on a stadium that, as one student pointed out, the silent majority of ND students will never use.

We’ll be forced to endure months of noise and disruption only to get a facility that will generate yet more noise and disruption.

We’ll continue to keep tabs on the stadium construction and share what we uncover with you. If you wish to read Notre Dame’s announcement it’s here and on their website. We encourage you to join the school’s mailing list at community.relations@ndrs.org and get involved in its “neighbour committee”, which will meet 4 times a year.

We would love to hear from you. Please comment on this post, or email us at notredameneighbours@gmail.com