HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 9, 2026 - SCM
Special Council
Meeting Minutes
Electronic Meeting
February 09, 2026 - 11:00 AM
Chair: Mayor Ashe
Present:
Mayor K. Ashe
Councillor M. Brenner
Councillor S. Butt
Councillor L. Cook
Councillor D. Pickles
Councillor M. Nagy
Councillor L. Robinson - Joined at 11:22 a.m.
Regrets:
None
Also Present:
M. Carpino - Chief Administrative Officer
K. Bentley – Director, City Development & CBO
P. Bigioni - Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor
L. Gibbs - Director, Community Services
R. Holborn - Director, Engineering Services
F. Jadoon – Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects
S. Karwowski – Director, Finance & Treasurer
S. Cassel - City Clerk
N. Surti – Division Head, Development Review & Urban Design
C. Rose – Chief Planner
A. Shah - Senior Advisor, Creative Industries and Tourism
R. Perera - Deputy Clerk
Call to Order/Roll Call
The City Clerk certified that all Members of Council were present and participating
electronically, save and except for Councillor Robinson.
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Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
In Camera Matters
Resolution #940/26
Moved By Councillor Cook
Seconded By Councillor Nagy
That Council move into closed session in accordance with the Municipal Act and the
Procedure By-law to receive advice subject to solicitor-client privilege, and to consider a
matter pertaining to a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial
information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has monetary value or
potential monetary value, and a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be
applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the
municipality. The matter being discussed in closed session pertains to the Durham Live
Request for a Letter of Support from Pickering Council for the Canada Soccer, Request for
Information, National Training Centre Initiative.
Carried
Mayor Ashe reminded Members of their confidentiality obligations under the Procedure By-
law and the Council Code of Conduct.
Confidential Verbal Update from the Chief Administrative Officer and
Legal Advice from the City Solicitor
Re: Durham Live Request for Letter of Support from Pickering Council
Canada Soccer, Request for Information, National Training Centre Initiative
This portion of the meeting was closed to the public. Refer to the In Camera
meeting minutes for further information. [City Clerk has custody and control of the In
Camera minutes.]
Resolution #941/26
Moved By Councillor Pickles
Seconded By Councillor Butt
That Council rise and resume into the open session of the Special Meeting of
Council.
Carried
Confidential Special Council - Public Report
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Mayor Ashe stated that during the closed portion of the meeting, Council considered a
matter pertaining to the Durham Live Request for Letter of Support from Pickering Council
for the Canada Soccer, Request for Information, National Training Centre Initiative. The
matter was discussed in closed session to receive advice subject to solicitor-client
privilege, and to consider a matter pertaining to a trade secret or scientific, technical,
commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has
monetary value or potential monetary value, and a position, plan, procedure, criteria or
instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf
of the municipality. No direction was given to staff and no decisions were made during the
in-camera portion of the Meeting. The matter will be dealt with now in open session.
Delegations
Steve Apostolopoulos, Managing Partner, Durham Live and Dwayne De
Rosario, FIFA Legends
Re: Durham Live Request for Letter of Support from Pickering Council
(Refer to Item 6.1)
S. Apostolopoulos, Managing Partner, Durham Live, appeared before Council via
electronic connection and spoke regarding the Canada Soccer Request for
Information to establish a National Soccer Training Centre. S. Apostolopoulos
advised that Durham Live had evaluated the opportunity and confirmed that the site
met key criteria including land availability, capital capacity, and development
expertise. S. Apostolopoulos stated that the proposed facility would serve as a
permanent home for national team programming, youth development,
coaching, sports science, and international training activities, generating long-term
economic benefits for the City through tourism, hotel usage, restaurant activity, and
sustained visitation. S. Apostolopoulos noted that they were not seeking any
municipal funding, but rather formal Council endorsement and staff support in
advancing planning discussions. D. De Rosario, FIFA Legends, appeared before
Council via electronic connection and spoke about the strong growth of soccer
within Durham Region and the shortage of high-quality training facilities to support
youth development. D. De Rosario outlined the benefits of a centralized national
training centre located within Durham Live, including proximity to hotel
accommodation and on-site amenities. D. De Rosario noted that Canada’s national
teams had historically relied on rented or shared facilities and emphasized the
importance of establishing a permanent training home that would also allow for
community and academy access during non-national team programming.
A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and the
delegates regarding:
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February 09, 2026
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where the Canadian National Team previously trained and the lack of a
permanent national training facility;
•
whether the proposed development could accommodate spectator capacity for
international games;
•
confirmation that change rooms, washrooms, and other support spaces would
be included within the centre;
•
whether the proposal included a dome or indoor pitch;•
the need for further discussions with the Province and TRCA regarding land
use permissions under the applicable Minister’s Zoning Order;
•
whether other municipalities were expected to submit competing proposals;•
anticipated community and youth access to the fields during periods when
national teams were not utilizing the facility;
•
whether the wording of Option A in the Memorandum met the requirements of
the RFI; and,
•
opportunities for partnerships with local organizations, academies, or
educational programs, and the intent to collaborate with existing community
soccer providers.
•
Matters for Consideration
Memorandum from Director, Economic Development and Strategic
Projects
Re: Durham Live Request for Letter of Support from Pickering Council
Canada Soccer, Request for Information, National Training Centre Initiative
Resolution #942/26
Moved By Councillor Butt
Seconded By Councillor Brenner
City of Pickering Council hereby provides its support for Durham Live to be a
potential site for the Canada Soccer National Training Centre, conditional upon the
owner being successful in securing an amendment to the Minister’s Zoning Order
164/24 from the Province of Ontario to permit the uses for the Canada Soccer
National Training Centre; and, that the Mayor be authorized to provide a Letter of
Support to Steve Apostolopoulos, Managing Partner of Durham Live consistent with
this resolution.
Carried
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Confirmatory By-law
Moved By Councillor Cook
Seconded By Councillor Butt
That By-law 8232/26, to confirm the proceedings of the February 9, 2026 Council Meeting
be approved.
Carried Unanimously on a Recorded Vote
Adjournment
Moved By Councillor Cook
Seconded By Councillor Robinson
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
The meeting adjourned at 12:37 p.m.
Dated this 9th day of February, 2026.
______________________________
Kevin Ashe, Mayor
______________________________
Susan Cassel, City Clerk
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