Marc Mathon wants the City of North Bay to honour a commitment to install changerooms for football teams and other athletes at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex.
Mathon, who has been involved in youth and men’s football for decades in North Bay paid a visit to North Bay City Council with fellow football enthusiast Josh Ricker to shed some light on the effect the lack of facilities is having on their program and the reputation of the City of North Bay as a true player in the sports tourism game.
Mathon and Ricker, backed by several players sporting Bulldogs jerseys, told Council that visiting teams in a varied state of undress can be spotted on football game days changing in the parking lot, on the fields, under the canopy sheltering the washrooms. Mathon says children are in attendance at these games, which makes the practice “uncomfortable,” for all.
Beyond that, he says it is “shameful,” that a program that has hundreds of families involved and draws a considerable economic impact from visiting teams with dozens of players, coaches and parents in tow, and nowhere to change and shower after games.
The Bulldogs squads compete in leagues whose constitutions require changing facilities. Mathon points to a failed attempt in 2014 by Cecil’s owner and football supporter John Lechlitner to have portables installed to be used as changerooms as another letdown for the program.
Mayor Al McDonald invited to meet with Mathon and Ricker and the football representatives were pleased with this development. McDonald later said that this session would take place at a public meeting in the near future.
