Thursday January 9, 2025
Dear Market Friends and Family,
A city staff report came out earlier today regarding a sudden decision to discuss plans for a privately owned soccer dome proposed to be built on the Memorial Centre Grounds.
…and all of us?
We all have less than two business days to have our say…
You can sign the petition here, but read on for many more ways to help us out!
This city report (link) outlines some of what will be lost…
- All barns on site will be demolished for parking
- No suitable location for the indoor farmers’ market has been offered
- The Kingston Fall Fair will lose over half its space
- Existing public sport fields will lose over half their space
But we know the impacts will be much greater…
- Thousands of market regulars will lose access to fresh local food
- Dozen of families who rely on the income from the market will be affected
- Farmers across the region will lose an annual gathering space with a tradition going back over 150 years
- Non-Profit bike shop, Yellow Bike Action could be forced to close down
- Promises of a new indoor market space are vague and far in the future
- Even without the barns, 200 parking spots can’t accommodate a 4,000 seat facility.
This proposal unfairly pits the market, the neighbourhood, and Kingston Fall Fair communities against the soccer community.
Kingston’s soccer community deserved their pre-existing domes to be re-built years ago. This move did not consult residents of other neighborhoods who want soccer facilities restored to their area.
This lack of notice is a clear undemocratic attempt to cut several communities out of the conversation.
Lend us your voice to help call on City Council to STOP or DELAY negotiations until a more suitable location is found.
There are MANY ways you can help:
- Attend Vincent Cinanni’s Drop-in at the Memorial Centre (Friday January 10th 12-4pm)
- Join us with a sign at City Council Tuesday January 14th (anytime after 5pm at City Hall Front Doors)
- Call your Councillor and/or the Mayor (link)
- E-mail your Councillor and/or the Mayor (link)
- Sign the Petition (link)
- Forward this to your e-mail list
- Share on all your social media (use one our free images below)
Signed,
- Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
- Williamsville Community Association
- Kingston & District Agricultural Society
- Yellow Bike Action
- Beef Farmers of Frontenac
- KASSI- the Kingston Area Seed System
- National Farmers Union Local 316
