Dear Mr. Callahan and Mr. Sanderson,

Every Sunday for almost 20 years a substantial group of local residents, including myself, have used the public Tennis Courts at County Court Blvd as a venue to play ball hockey. Yesterday, without any prior warning or foreknowledge three city vehicles and four police squad cars broke up our weekly matches with the threat of trespassing charges and forceful removal. We duly complied but not without the utter embarrassment and confusion as to what terrible offence we bestowed upon the city for merely playing a few games of hockey.

I write this email troubled with several points of yesterdays event and the underlying message it has sent to the considerable local community associated with the Sunday hockey games.

For one, as I stated this ritual of sorts has been apart of our community for almost 20 years without ever receiving a complaint nor any disturbances on our part. In fact, in recent years, understanding that we, as citizens, have a larger duty have participated in Earth day clean-ups around the tennis courts. This has sparked other volunteer initiatives that our ball hockey community has participated in together. We have been accepting of new comers that are interested in playing with us and have been amenable to tennis players looking to play during our once-a-week Sunday slots. In this regard, it is hard to understand the treatment that was received yesterday as we believe ourselves to be responsible and dutiful citizens.

Furthermore, the draconian use of seven vehicles to remove us from the tennis courts under the threat of charges and forceful removal was shocking. It was particularly shocking because of our long-standing Sunday tradition and the lack of prior communication with any local authority. No dialogue, neither formal nor informal was ever established with us prior to yesterdays event.

Lastly, I believe that over the nearly 20 years the Sunday ball hockey has been a largely positive influence on the community. Not only has it brought together all the groups that are represented by our diverse community, it has pushed them towards more constructive activities, in both sport and civic duty.

In that respect, to lose this firmly entrenched institution would be tragic and devastating from the camaraderie that we have achieved over 20 years but also from the positive influence that it has spread throughout the direct and extended communities involved. With that, I kindly ask of you to grant us a temporary permit as our league is due to complete for the summer in 4 weeks with hockey being played only on Sunday. Furthermore, I ask for an open dialogue for a more long-term solution. Thank you for your time,

Kind Regards,