Kitchener councillor pushing for street hockey ban to be lifted
Posted Sep 28, 2016 03:34:06 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The ban on playing street hockey in Kitchener may be on its way to being lifted.
Although it has been in place for many years, Kitchener Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock learned that the bylaw outlining the ban isn’t being enforced.
“Currently we don’t enforce the rules, as far as staff has gone back is 2008 and we’ve never laid a charge,” says Galloway-Sealock. “So I feel it’s important for us to look at it and see if our practice should equal what our paper says.”
So on Monday at a council meeting she put in a notice of motion, asking staff to research what the bylaw actually says, and bringing back a report that may allow kids to play on streets where it is safe to do so.
If things go well, she is hoping to see the ban lifted by mid 2017.
She adds that one of the complaints she has heard is that it may cause excessive late-night noise, but that noise bylaws would still be in place, and the benefits of street hockey and other street sports would greatly outweigh any drawbacks.
“I think it’s important for kids to get out and get active and this is one way for them to do so,” Galloway-Sealock says. “It also builds community. It allows neighbours to come together and play on the streets and interact with oneanother, and it also brings parents together as they’re out there watching their children.”
If anyone wants to show their support for the lifting of the ban she encourages us to email our city councillors, and spread awareness on social media.
