 By Justin Lethbridge
July 31, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite dropping their last four games, the Burlington Bandits managed to hold onto 5th place at the end of the IBL season with a final record of 15-21.
 Bandits whooping it up after a recent win – can they take that approach into the finals? The Bandits started the year off on an abysmal 1-7 start but managed to claw their way up the standings. A 7-1 run in mid July is the biggest factor in their final seeding. The run included three wins against Toronto, who also finished 15-21, which gave Burlington the tiebreaker in the standings.
Unfortunately Burlington draws the London Majors in the first round. The Bandits went 0-5 against London this season and while a single run decided two of those games, the other three were blowouts. London handed Burlington a 10-1 pounding on the first game of the season and outscored the Bandits 39-19 through five games.
There is a bit of hope, however, as in three of their five meetings Burlington had an early lead. Even with an 8-0 3rd inning lead on July 9th, the Bandits have been unable to pick up a win against the Majors.
 Justin Gideon earned 32 runs for the Bandits The Bandits must continue to get strong hitting from OF Justin Gideon whose 32 runs are the most from either team and tied for fourth in the league. London has the edge in the pitching battle as Oscar Perez and his 49 SO helped the Majors to a 3.97 ERA compared to Burlington’s 6.14 ERA.
This series marks Burlington’s return to the playoffs after missing out last year.
The best-of-seven series begins Friday, July 31st in London with game two in Burlington on Monday, August 3rd.
 By Justin Lethbridge
July 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The playoff seeding for the Intercounty Baseball League hasn’t been confirmed yet; there are two games tonight that could change who would play who.
The Bandits whoop it up after a win – going into the playoffs might we see this more often?
If Toronto wins their game against London tonight then Burlington would play Brantford in the playoffs.
If Toronto loses their game then Burlington would play London.
It looks like the Playoffs will start Thursday August 6th with Burlington having their first playoff game on the 7th
The Bandits might want to pull for Toronto this evening – their record with London hasn’t been that strong.
 By Justin Lethbridge
July 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite stretches of great play, the Bandits were handily beaten by 2nd place Kitchener 9-3 in their final home game of the season. While both teams struggled with the gusty conditions at Nelson Park, Kitchener stuck to hard, ground hits to get players on base and wear the Bandits down.
 The Bandits were swinging – they just weren’t hitting the ball. Kitchener got off to a quick start in the 1st inning thanks to four earned runs. Despite a poor first, Bandits pitcher Brandon Nemeti upped his play and allowed only three hits and one run over the next six innings to finish the game with a 9.82 ERA in seven innings of work.
 The home town crowd would have liked to see a win at the last home game of the season – it wasn’t to be. Last game of the regular season is against Toronto in Toronto The Bandits would score off a wild pitch in the 3rd inning before the teams went scoreless through the next two innings. Although Kitchener increased their lead to 5-1 in the 6th, a Justin Gideon two-run blast in bottom of the inning narrowed the lead to 5-3.
That was as close as Burlington would get as the Panthers would add two runs in the 8th and hit back-to-back home runs to the exact same spot in the 9th.
Panthers First baseman Sean Reilly was especially potent with three runs and two RBI’s in five AB’s.
Burlington’s last game of the season on Monday night at 7:30pm as they hope to break a three game losing streak in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
By Staff
July 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 The crack of the bat hitting the ball during a cool quiet evening when the game is played under lights is about as nice as it can get. Whatever wind the Burlington Bandits had in their sails that carried them through a six game winning streak seems to have gotten away from them, – they lost 6 – 1 to the Majors In London Friday night
Luis Pina threw a complete game five-hitter to shut down the Bandits in a game that saw the London lefty improve to 7-2 this season after allowing one run – striking out five and walking four.
At the plate, first baseman Cleveland Brownlee had two hits and drove in four, while shortstop Paul Lytwynec added three hits and scored a run.
Third baseman Kenta Nishii hit a solo home run.
London improved to 18-15 after its third straight victory.
Burlington shortstop Keith Kandel had two of the Bandits’ five hits, and first baseman Kevin Hussey singled and scored the Bandits’ run.
Matthew St. Kitts (1-2) went 6.2 innings in the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, striking out eight and walking two.
Burlington dropped to 15-19.
 By Justin Lethbridge
July 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On the strength of three straight wins over Toronto, the Burlington Bandits made a run up the Intercounty Baseball League standings ladder. While that six game winning streak came to an end Thursday against Hamilton, the Bandits earned a 1.5 game lead on Toronto for 5th place in league standing.
If the standings hold, Friday night’s game against the London Majors will be a preview of the first round of the playoffs.
A win would do little in the standings, the Bandits need to beat London to gain a bit of momentum and confidence ahead of the playoff series.
 Through four games this year Burlington has been unable to beat the London Majors. Even with a 8 – 0 3rd inning lead over the Majors in their last meeting, Burlington was unable to seal the deal as they lost 11-12.
Despite early leads in their last three meetings, the Bandits have been unable to hold London off the scoreboard and have been outscored 32-18.
It’s a trend that Burlington needs to snap in London Friday night.
Hamilton snaps Bandits six game winning streak.
 By Justin Lethbridge
July 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Bandits were unable to muster much offence in a 7-1 loss against rival Hamilton Thursday night. Despite the score it was a very defensive affair for most of the game as the teams combined for only 13 hits.
 Burlington pitcher Steven Dressler was great through seven innings despite allowing six runs on seven hits to go along with five strikeouts. A couple of errors resulted in a sloppy 4th inning that allowed Hamilton to score six times on only five hits, all while the Cardinals had two outs.
Adam Odd hit a home run in 5th inning to get Burlington on the board but they were unable to solve Hamilton’s Tim Black. Through just over eight innings of work he allowed only three hits and one run while earning 4 strikeouts.
The loss snaps Burlington’s six game winning streak, a run that has seen them vault over the Toronto Maple Leaf’s for fourth in the League.
With only a few games left before the playoffs, Barrie sits in 1st followed by Kitchener in 2nd, Brantford in 3rd, London in 4th, Burlington in 5th,Toronto in 6th, Hamilton in 7th and Guelph in 8th.
 By Justin Lethbridge
July 18th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On a humid Saturday afternoon at Nelson Park, the Burlington Bandits overcame the tough Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in the first game of a double-header. Both teams got off to a slow start but still managed to have an exciting seven-inning game.
 Bandit pitching was steady – but it was the batters that took the game. Toronto finally broke through the great pitching of Burlington’s Steven Dressier in the fifth, scoring the games first run. The Maple Leaf’s followed it up by bringing two more runs in with the bases loaded. Burlington would fire back in the sixth with a home run. Than, with two on base, Jim Martin stepped up and hit a ball right to the fence to bring two runners in to even the game. Immediately afterwards Toronto changed pitchers to no avail as Martin would score on the next hit to take the lead.
The Maple Leafs would tie it up at 4-4 but weren’t able to take the lead in the seventh inning allowing Burlington up to bat needing a single run to win. After a bunt and wild pitch, a deep hit brought in the winning run for the Bandits.
Burlington would go into the break with the momentum as they looked to make up more ground on Toronto in the standings.
After the first game the Bandits were 1.5 games back of the Maple Leafs for fifth in the league.
By Justin Lethbridge
July 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a great night for the Burlington Bandits: at the bottom of the 4th inning the Bandits had an 11 run lead en route to a lopsided 26-10 victory over the Hamilton Cardinals, Friday night in Hamilton.
 The Bandits kept hitting the ball – The Burlington Bandits pounded out 30 hits in a 26-10 win over the Cardinals Friday night.
Burlington centre-fielder Shaun Cooper had a home run, five RBI and three runs in the win. He added two doubles and a single.
Infielder Jim Martin had three hits, including a home run, six RBI and three runs. Jordan Boston had a home run, single, two RBI and three runs.
Kevin Hussey had five hits and drove in three and scored three times. Designated hitter Tyler Hardie went 3-for-7 with three RBI and two runs, while second baseman George Halim had five hits and three runs.
Right-fielder Justin Gideon had two hits, two RBI and three runs, and shortstop Keith Kandel had four hits and scored three runs.
The wind seemed to pick up in the 3rd inning and carry three consecutive deep hits by Burlington over the fence for runs.
Despite a Cardinal pitching change in the 3rd, the Bandits piled on the runs in a huge 4th inning that blew the game wide open. They continued to load the bases and bring runs in forced a second change in pitchers. Even than, the Bandits tacked on 4 more runs before a fly ball mercifully ended the onslaught with the score 18-4.
 – and they kept getting from base to base until they had a 26 – 10 win in their hands. While the 10 runs scored by the Cardinals would be more than enough for a victory on almost any other night, poor pitching put them in a hole. Burlington had a whooping 30 hits in a game that went well over three hours. Burlington was led by Jim Martin’s three runs and six RBI’s.
With the victory the Bandits pulled two games up on the Cardinals with only seven games left before the playoffs. Burlington’s next two games come in a double-header against Toronto at Nelson Park on Saturday July 18th.
Barrie still has a firm hold on 1st place in the league with Kitchener in 2nd, Brantford in 3rd, London in 4th, Toronto in 5th, Burlington in 6th, Hamilton in 7th and Guelph in 8th.
 By Staff
July 17, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Mountainside Pool, Nelson and LaSalle Wading Pools now closed for the day due to rainy conditions.
 Pools closed due to the amount of rain that has fallen. Outdoor pools will reopen Saturday July 18, 2015 weather dependant.
By Justin Lethbridge
July 17, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
After a hard-fought game Thursday night in Burlington, the Bandits pulled out a close 4-3 victory over rival Hamilton Cardinals. It was a mostly defensive affair, as the two teams traded scoreless innings. There was only one home run and many innings ended with runners left on base.
 Burlington pitchers shut down the Hamilton batters – to take the game: 4-3 Hamilton got things going with two runs in the second before they showed off their defense. After keeping the Bandits off the board through two innings they got a critical double play with the bases loaded to end the third inning. Despite the defensive pressure, Burlington scored a run in each of the next four innings while allowing only one run by Hamilton.
After going up 4-3 in the seventh, it came down to Burlington’s last two pitchers. Blake Weston and Brandon Catena completely shut the Cardinals down, allowing only two hits over the last three innings.
Weston came in to close out the game in the ninth and despite an error by his left fielder he preserved the win.
The two teams face off in the second part of their home and home Friday night in Hamilton.
Barrie has a three game lead for first in the league followed by Kitchener in 2nd, Brantford in 3rd, London in 4th, Toronto in 5th, Burlington in 6th, Hamilton in 7th and Guelph in 8th.
 By Staff
July 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Outdoor Pool Schedules – Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Nelson and LaSalle Wading Pools are now closed for the day due to rainy conditions.
 They will reopen Wednesday July 15, 2015 weather dependent.
All other pools are open for scheduled swims.
 By Staff
July 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington somehow managed miss out on the Pan American games.
The opportunity to have a facility in the east end of the city was lost – mostly due to a very strong reaction from the people who didn’t want anything done to Sherwood Forest Park
 Now the biggest park the city has – and the furthest from the bulk of the population. Burlington did get an excellent soccer pitch and a much improved park on the west side of the city.
City View Park is a superb site – with lot of room to walk and roam and 3 soccer pitches that the people of Burlington won’t get to use until the games are over.
The grounds are being used as a practice location for Pan Am soccer players. The city did collect a significant fee for the use of the grounds.
The soccer fields are covered with Astro turf which are seen as expensive to maintain.
In a media release the city sent out the names of eight Burlington affiliated competing in the Games: which is a cheaters way of saying there are eight Burlington or close by athletes playing in the games. Why would the city add in the names of great athlete from Oakville, Mississauga and Hamilton ?
Mike Green, Racketball; is a Hamilton resisdent.
Melanie Hawtin, Wheelchair Basketball is an Oakville resident
Mark Oldershaw, Canoe, is a resident of Oakville
Ashley Stephenson, Baseball; is a Mississauga resident.
Hawtin and Oldershaw are well known to Burlington audiences; Hawtin in particular is one heck of a wheel chair basketball player.
The genuine Burlingtonians are
Brady Reardon, kayak
Autumn Mills, baseball
Tyler Muscat; the martial art of Taekwondo
Kate Psota, baseball
Autumn Mills,
 Since being selected to the Canadian Women’s National Team at age 16, Autumn Mills has competed in five editions of the IBAF World Cup and won three medals, including a best-ever silver in 2008. Her personal highlight has been playing on home soil in Edmonton at the 2012 World Cup where she got the save in closing out the bronze medal victory over Australia. Mills had played boys baseball throughout her childhood because she had no knowledge of any opportunity for girls in the game.
When she was 15 she was asked to try out for Team Ontario. That summer, she and her father commuted to Toronto from London every weekend for games. It was then that she finally heard about Team Canada and the chance to compete around the world, something she convinced herself she would be part of one day.
PERSONAL: Family: Parents Daniel and Nancy Mills… Getting into the Sport: Started playing t-ball at age 4… She was on par or better than the boys and had a strong arm so stuck with it… Outside Interests: Earned her Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology and Bachelor of Education (primary/junior) at York University… Enjoys doing Crossfit, snowboarding, and going to Blue Jays’ games… Works as a police officer… Odds and Ends: Favourite motto: “Luck is the residue of hard work”… Admires smaller guys in MLB such as Dustin Pedroia who make big plays and hit the ball with power despite their size… Superstition: The ball must be on the ground before pitching; if someone throws it she puts it down, walks around the mound and takes a deep breath before picking it up… Has a good luck Pandora bracelet with baseball charms on her left wrist… Always travels with a lacrosse ball… Collects different Starbucks city mugs… Nickname: Millsy
Tyler Muscat
 The martial art of Taekwondo is fascinating to watch – two people in the rink, each lightly bouncing in anticipation of the other person’s hit while trying to calculate their own strike. The energy that flows between the two competitors when they dance around each other, throwing jabs and kicks when they see the opportunity, is tense and powerful.
“My first Nationals was when I was 12 years old. I ended up getting first place.”
Tyler Muscat is a confident 19-year-old Taekwondo athlete who knows the sport well; he’s practiced it for the past 13 years of his life and he doesn’t see a near end. At the age of 10 he got into the competitive part of Taekwondo and has been going to competitions and traveling the world since. “My first Nationals was when I was 12 years old. I ended up getting first place, and from then on it just got better,” says Muscat, who lives just outside Toronto in Burlington, Ont.
He is heading to Russia’s 2015 World Taekwondo Championships later this week with promising ambitions of making it to the 2016 Olympic Games – he’s currently ranked 10th in the world for his weight division.
His speciality is his speed. Muscat says that in his division, 54kg – the lowest in the senior category, many of his opponents are tall and do this move called the cut-kick. What saves him is his speed and technique, they give him an advantage that makes it easy to get around the move.
Muscat isn’t too worried about the Russian Games right now, he sees them as more of an opportunity to grab points and advance his world rank. His confidence stems from two practices a day, each an hour and a half, and from his trainer Carla Bacco. He met Carla in the beginning of his Taekwondo career at his school Kicks for Kids, and has practiced there under her guidance since.
Kicks for Kids has become his current University/College since he decided to postpone his post-secondary degree indefinitely after high school. “There’s a perfect time for everything,” says Muscat, “I’m trying to focus on the main things right now. School is always there for you.”
When he decides to return he wants to pursue a career in marketing (experience with interviews and advertising himself as an athlete is his first taste in the line of work) and complete his post-secondary education. “I don’t think I will ever stop Taekwondo, even if I was in school,” says Muscat.
A constant quirk of his that has followed him through every country and competition is his familial support; while he appreciates his family’s help and encouragement he doesn’t allow them to go to his competitions. “I get nervous,” he says, “even Nationals in Toronto, I didn’t let my family come out to support me just because I’m particular like that.”
But whether he goes alone or not, Muscat’s confidence is unwavering and his world rank can prove it – coming back home to his family to celebrate the wins makes them that much sweeter.
Kate Psota
 Kate Psota is a veteran of the women’s national team, having appeared in every IBAF World Cup since its inception in 2004. She has won four medals in six tournaments, highlighted by a silver medal in 2008. Psota was named national team MVP in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 and 2012 she was a World Cup all-star at first base. Psota played collegiate hockey for the Laurier Golden Hawks, winning five consecutive OUA championships from 2006 to 2010. In 2009 she was a CIS Academic All-Canadian.
PERSONAL: Family: Parents Ed and Monique Psota… Younger brother Mike… Getting into the Sport: Started playing t-ball at age 4/5… Nobody in her family was involved in the sport, but when she was young she was obsessed with watching the Toronto Blue Jays and wanted to play baseball just like them… Outside Interests: Graduated from Wilfred Laurier University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in geography and kinesiology… Earned her Bachelor of Arts in education from Queens’ University in 2011… Enjoys going to the family cottage, boating, fishing, swimming, and gardening… Works at a garden centre… Odds and Ends: Worked and trained in Australia during the 2012 season where she developed friendships with their national team members… Nickname: Sodey… Tries to bring home something reflective of the culture wherever she travel.
Brady Reardon
B rady Reardon is a second generation Olympian who was proud to have his father Jim on-site to watch him at Beijing 2008. Just like his dad at Munich 1972, Reardon competed in the K-4 1000m. Reardon has competed at every edition of the ICF World Championships since his debut in the K-2 1000m in 2007.
In 2012 he began racing K-1 internationally and won a silver medal in the first K-1 500m race of the World Cup season. A longtime training partner of Burloak clubmate Adam van Koeverden, the two focused on the K-2 1000m in 2013 and won a silver medal at the third World Cup stop in Poznan. In 2014 Reardon teamed with Andrew Jessop in the K-2 1000m at the world championships and recorded one of Canada’s best results of the competition with their seventh place finish.
PERSONAL: Family: Parents Jim and Danny Reardon… Older brother Tucker… Getting married in September 2015… Getting into the Sport: Grew up in the sport because both of his parents paddled… Outside Interests: Enjoys mountain biking, DIY projects, being outside with his dog Banditt… Has a degree in kinesiology from McMaster University. Volunteers with KidSport. Odds and Ends: Always drinks a Guinness before race day. Always keeps his racing numbers.
Favourite motto: “When you think you’re going as hard as you can, toughen up and go harder”…
By Justin Lethbridge
July 10, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Bandits started off hot but were unable to hold onto a lead and lost 12-11 to the London Majors.
Burlington’s Shaun Cooper got off to a great start with a two-run blast in the bottom of the first. Cooper’s 2nd two-run shot, combined with a few errors by the Major’s in the second and third innings resulted in a huge 8-0 lead for the Bandits after 3 innings.
 Both teams look on as the Bandits try to bring a win home in the 9th – they missed Despite the huge deficit, the Major’s came out swinging in the fourth. First Cleveland Brownlee got the Major’s on the board with a home run, than two batters latter Larry Gonzalez got a two-run dinger of his own to cut the lead in half. Hits in the fifth and sixth innings would bring London to within one, than an error by Burlington allowed the Major’s to tie the game at 8-8.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Bandits would respond. First Dan Franceschetti would steal home base than Shaun Cooper would add his third two-run shot of the night to retake the lead.
Two runs in the seventh followed by two more in the eighth allowed London to take the lead and their closer Braeden Ferrington shut the Bandits down. Through three innings he had five strikeouts while only allowing two hits to give London the dramatic victory.
Burlington has a week off until they start a home and home with Hamilton, while London is back at it on Friday at home against Guelph. The loss keeps the Bandits tied with Hamilton for second last in the league at 8-17 on the season. The full standings are: Barrie in 1st, Kitchener in 2nd, Brandford in 3rd, London in 4th, Toronto in 5th, Hamilton and Burlington tied for 6th and Guelph in last place.
By Clinton Dixon
July 8, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On a cold summer’s day the Burlington Bandits made their way North up the 400 to once again battle with the reigning IBL Champion Barrie Baycats. Unfortunately Burlington was not able to come out on top in the game, losing in a shootout, the final score 9-8 in favour of Barrie.
The game almost never happened as Barrie experienced heavy rainfall for the majority of the day. In the end the rain let up just in time, allowing Burlington to try and redeem themselves after losing to Barrie 17-4 at home last weekend. “We’ve been better,” said Burlington’s Coach Kyle MacKinnon, “we still have to fight with the top dogs. Keep scratching out the wins we should, and beat someone we shouldn’t.”
After a 45-minute delay the field was finally ready and Colonel Doyon, Commander of Canadian Forces Base Borden, took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Military Day at Coates Stadium.
 Luis Diaz tosses his bat after being walked. When the game finally got underway it was easy to see that the wet conditions were making it tough for both teams. In the top of the first inning Adam Odd hit a ground ball right at Barrie’s second baseman Luis Diaz; the play should have resulted in an easy out, but the conditions resulted in Diaz losing grip on the ball, throwing into his own dugout. Odd would score shortly afterwards to open the scoring for the game.
From that point on there were several lead changes that saw Burlington put up the fight their coach was asking for.
However, they weren’t able to find that killer instinct and put the game out of reach. After holding the lead several times the Bandits found themselves going into the eighth inning down 8-5. After Brandon Hillier singled to left and Adam Odd singled to right Shaun Cooper stepped to the plate and belted a home run to tie the game.
 Bandits lose to the Barrie Baycats – Close – but that doesn’t count in baseball. Sadly the win wasn’t in the cards for Burlington, in the bottom of the eighth Luis Diaz scored for Barrie on a single by Kyle DeGrace, putting the Baycats on top for good as they went on to win the game 9-8.
The loss leaves Burlington with an 8-16 record, and in sixth position in the eight team league.
The Bandits now travel to Brantford to play the Red Sox tonight, Wednesday July 8 at 8:00 p.m.
 By Justin Lethbridge
June 30, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Right up until the last hit of the game, it looked like the Burlington Bandits were going to steal a game from their rivals in Hamilton.
 Those stands weren’t exactly full were they? Hamilton took the baseball game in a close one – 2-1 for the other guys. It was two errors committed by Burlington that allowed Hamilton to bring in two runs in the bottom of the ninth for their seventh win of the season.
The game got off to quick start as Burlington’s Shaun Cooper caught a fortuitous bounce in the top of the first, when the ball hit his helmet as he rounded third and allowed him to score.
That was the games sole hit until into the third inning in what was a pitching showcase. Hamilton’s Tim Black pitched all nine innings, giving up only three hits and one run while Burlington’s Dylan Perego threw all but three pitches through nine innings giving up three hits and two runs.
The win keeps the Cardinals in sixth place with as they prepare to greet the London Majors at home.
The Bandits are now mired in a four game losing streak as they head to Guelph for a battle between the bottom two teams in the league.
By Staff
June 30th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
All Sport Fields are currently open.
Please note: Ireland D3 outfield continues to experience wet patches. If inclement weather occurs please avoid use in affected areas.
Log into the Burlington Gazette daily to keep up on local news
 By Staff
June 29, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
For Monday, June 29, 2015 just the one sports field is closed:
Ireland D3
The Gazette publishes updates on sports facilities at city parks as soon as they are available.
 By Pepper Parr
June 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When they point out to you where the life boats are located – you kinda wonder what shape the ship is in.
The city of Burlington released a list of services that might be impacted if there is a work stoppage – polite word for a strike – the workers have withdrawn their services and decided they will go without a paycheque for a period of time unless their demands are met.
In the media release the city said it is “alerting residents that some city services may be affected by strike action that could take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 2.”
The city continues to negotiate collective agreements with unions representing outside workers and arena/pool operators and Burlington Transit workers. Both CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 44 and CUPE Local 2723 representatives have stated that if there is no agreement by the end of June, they will begin strike action as of midnight (12:01 a.m.) on July 2.
“The city continues to seek a settlement that is fair to the unions and to the taxpayers of Burlington,” said Roy Male, executive director of Human Resources who is on the city’s bargaining team. “While we will continue to be willing to meet with the unions to discuss a settlement, regretfully, we must prepare for a strike to ensure the best possible continuity of service.”
The city has posted a list of services at www.burlington.ca/labourdisruptions that would be cancelled, reduced or continued in the event of a strike. The city has also set up a dedicated phone line for questions related to labour disruptions at 905-335-7600, ext. 7803.
“We are sharing this labour disruption information as early as we can, and in as many ways as possible, to ensure Burlington residents have the information they need to plan ahead,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of Development and Infrastructure with the city. “If the service you or your family members use is among those that would be cancelled in the event of a strike, we encourage you to try to make other arrangements, if at all possible.”
The city will resume negotiating with CUPE 44 and 2723 on June 29 and will provide updates as they become available.
Service Impacts in the Event of a Strike
Services that would be cancelled
• Conventional Burlington Transit service
• Handi-Van Transit Service
• Non-emergency tree service requests
• Street sweeping
• Programs and services offered at:
o Appleby Ice Centre
o LaSalle Wading Pool and Splash Park
o Mainway Arena
o Mountainside Outdoor Pool and Splash Park
o Nelson Arena
o Nelson Outdoor Pool and Splash Park
Services that would be reduced
• Grass-cutting and horticulture along roadside locations and in parks
• Litter and recycling in parks
Services that would continue
• Normal garbage collection, recycling (Halton Region)
• Burlington Public Library services
• Sports field rentals
• Turf maintenance
• Festivals and events
• Tyandaga Golf Course
• Forestry emergency storm response
• Arena floor rentals
o Aldershot
o Central
o Mountainside
o Skyway
• Spray pads in parks (non-fenced)
o Dofasco WaterJet Plaza at Spencer Smith Park
o Norton Community Park
o Pinemeadow Park
o Millcroft Park
o Orchard Community Park
o Hidden Valley Park
• Recreation centres
o Brant Hills
o Burlington Seniors’ Centre
o Haber
o Music Centre
o Rotary Youth Centre
o Sherwood Forest Gym
o Burlington Student Theatre
o Tansley Woods
• Indoor pools
o Aldershot
o Angela Coughlan
o Centennial
o Tansley Woods
• Banquet facilities
o LaSalle Pavilion
o Paletta Mansion
o Discovery Landing/Waterfront Centre
• Preschool, child and youth programs
• City of Burlington camps: SNAP, O2, Camp Can-Do, youth centres, LIT, youth specialty
• Adult and seniors’ programs
• All services at City Hall (includes Planning and Building, Capital Works, Finance, Transportation, Engineering)
• Playground inspections
• Cemetery service
• Road and sidewalk maintenance
• Traffic signal and street light maintenance
By Pepper Parr
June 20, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a little chaotic – many people weren’t sure what was going on but when Mark Oldershaw finally got to the stage to light the cauldron with the flame of the Pan Am torch he was carrying, people knew that the Pan Am Games were not far off and that for Burlington the flame was bright and alive.
 Mark Oldershaw, an Olympic paddler gets ready to be lit up by Ashley Worobec as he prepares to take the Pan Am flame to the Sound of Music stage. Burlington’s Ashley Worobec handed over the flame to Oldershaw at a point on the Naval Promenade – it was tough to see the two – there were almost more police than spectators. Those police officers must have thought they were protecting some world leader.
Worobec looked a little lost in the crowd of people – and the uniform they gave her to run in certainly lacked for any style.
 The Burlington Teen Tour Band Den Mother helps a band member get the uniform put together. But the Torch did arrive – ushered in by the Burlington Teen Tour Band who did themselves and the city proud.
I don’t how much money the city spends on the Band but whatever it is – we are getting our money’s worth.
For those who knew what was going on – there was a level of expectation. I suspect many thought that Ashley Worobec was going to take the flame up onto the stage.
 Mark Oldershaw uses the Pan Am flame to light the cauldron on the Sound of Music stage. The games begin next week. Mark Oldershaw certainly has a bigger public profile and he is an Olympian but the people of Burlington chose Ashley Worobec – didn’t they?
The Olympian got to take the torch to the Sound of Music stage. The Gazette may have been the only media to capture that moment on video – click to see the event.
A path was created for Oldershaw to run through while the crowd cheered him on.
When he got to the stage the emcee wanted to create some drama and excitement and asked Oldershaw to give him one word that described his feelings for the games that were going to soon begin.
Oldershaw paused, looked reflective and said – he really had two words that would be separated with a hyphen and then in a decent yell – shouted.
Kick Ass!
The audience went for that one
 There is never any doubt where this band comes from – our very own. The politicians of course spoke, the sponsors found a way to deliver their message and then the Teen Tour Band took everyone through the singing of O’Canada.
 Police security was so heavy it was difficult to see the torch bearers. In this picture there are at least five police officers – was this necessary? It was a fitting way to close an event that was fun, if a little chaotic – but why all those police officers.
Did someone at police headquarters really think we were at risk.
Get a grip people!
By Staff
June 20, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
All sport fields are currently open
 Please note that:
Ireland D3 bullpen remains closed
Maintenance has been completed on Ireland D3 in the outfield near third base. If inclement weather occurs over the weekend please avoid use in the effected areas.
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