Play ball: Longueuil suspends new $100 fee for non-residents in women's softball league
A women's softball league has been playing at Greenfield Park for decades, but new city rules are a hurdle. (Courtesy Jessie Howarth)
It looks like players in a beloved women's softball league who aren't Longueuil residents will be able to play ball after all.
The city had initially told non-residents that they would have to pay an extra $100 for an access card to play in the Greenfield Park ladies softball league, which is made up of four teams of women of all ages and skill levels and is entirely volunteer-run.
Last Thursday, CTV News spoke to members of the league who were upset by the new policy, saying it was putting their league, which has been around for decades, in jeopardy.
But on Monday, the City of Longueuil announced that it was suspending the new policy 'pending a review.'
Members already pay a $100 league fee to rent the field for 12 games and pay an umpire, and some players complained that they couldn't afford the added cost.
In a written statement issued Monday, Mayor Catherine Fournier acknowledged that the impacts of the rule that went into force on April 1 raised 'significant concerns on the ground,' which were shared by elected officials.
'In consultation with all members of the city council and the Greenfield Park borough council, we have agreed to suspend the application of this aspect of the policy while we conduct a broader review of the issue to address the concerns of the Longueuil community,' the mayor said.
She said the changes will be submitted for adoption at borough council meetings in the coming days and at the city council meeting on June 10.
The city added that non-residents who already paid the extra $100 fee will be reimbursed and noted that the requirement for non-residents to have Accès Longueuil cards for activities organized by the City, such as swimming lessons, is not affected by Tuesday's announcement.
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