Could others please send their emails today. It will only help our cause. Please let us know when you have done so.

Here is my letter:

Good day Mr. Callahan,

I have been a resident of Brampton for 25 years   I lived in your riding for 20 of those years.  I moved to a different neighborhood in Brampton 4-5 years ago (wards 9-10). I am a home owner and have been a long standing property tax payer.

Every Sunday a group of 70 local residents gather at the tennis courts located at Country Court Blvd (behind the court houses) and we play hockey for approx 5-6 hours.  We have been doing this for almost 20 years.  We recently were told that a complaint had been filed against us and that we were not allowed to play on the tennis courts going forward.  

What transpired was quite shocking and embarrassing.  3 city vehicles and 4 police cruisers showed up and threatened to charge us and remove us for playing ball hockey in a tennis court. This has never happened before.  We were very respectful and complied but we were shocked at the steps taken by the city. Even some of police officers were embarrassed in stoping us from playing Canada's past-time.

I would like our city councillors to fight for our right to play on these tennis courts.  We play road hockey on the courts to keep the ball from the streets and also to protect the individual players.  We play on days and at times when there are no tennis players and as such do not bother anybody.

We have allowed tennis players to play on the court when they are there.  We have never bothered anyone.  We have in fact had several Earth day events where we have cleaned the tennis courts and surrounding area.  We only use the tennis courts on one day a week and to date have never had any complaints lodged by local residents.  I do not think a fair complaint was lodged.  

I would point out that one court cannot even be played on as there are no poles to put tennis nets on) then I recommend a new facility be developed for floor hockey (outdoor).  

In the short term a good solution might be receiving approval from the Commissioner of Parks to provide us with a temporary permit. We only play one day per week. Sunday 11 am to 6pm. We only require use of the courts for 4 more weeks.

Lastly some key points from our community:

1) We have been here for 20 years
2) we are all members of the community having lived in Ward 3/4 for almost 20-25 years
3) We cleanup and maintain the facilities
4) there is total of 70 residents that benefit from this; as opposed to rare instances of tennis players using the courts
5) There is no other area for us to play

Thank you for taking the time to read our concerns. We would appreciate the time and opportunity to discuss our view point.

Thanks
Jessie Kalirai