Aurora sports council bends ears of political hopefuls

It was difficult predicting what might happen when the Aurora Community Sport Council announced plans to host Sport Matters, an all-candidates meeting leading up to the Nov. 13 municipal election.
For there seems no such thing as a perfectly contented community sports group.
Conducted in front of a packed Aurora Legion hall Thursday night, the concept of picking candidate’s brains on sports and recreation issues was a bold initiative and one certainly long overdue. And certainly an idea suited to any community of significant size and possessing a multitude of sporting organizations.
Rarely, if ever, do sports organizations enjoy the opportunity to display their might and potential power. In that sense, this was refreshing.
Too often, residents involved in sports are content to grumble amongst themselves while nothing gets done. That’s why it is good to see the bold first step taken by the Aurora sports council rather than to be content with the usual moaning and groaning about the shortcomings of the recreation and leisure departments.
Essentially, it was a chance to air concerns in the rapidly growing sports and recreation community in Aurora to get a sense for where the 20 council and three mayoral candidates stand on issues near and dear to their athletic-minded hearts.
Indeed, there was the usual sidestepping and dancing around hotspots one would expect, but there also seemed enough sincerity to indicate the would-be politicians were paying attention and, possibly, willing to work with groups. That makes it a positive experience.
The evening included introductory statements from 22 of the 23 candidates seeking election, in addition to fielding six questions put forth by the ACSC and a disappointingly brief at-large question period from the audience.
An important focal point during the evening was the town’s master plan, sadly outdated and behind the times by several years. Particularly popular was discussion of allotting land for future recreation venues in a growing Aurora. That, and a pledge from some of the potential politicos the sports council deserves a significant voice in the future of recreation planning in the Town of Aurora.
Ironically, one long-term goal was succinctly put out there by a candidate who suggested someday, perhaps, there will be no need for a separate all-candidates meeting for sports in the community.
That, of course, is totally up to the politicians.