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economist sunlwbur news thursdaypfeb24i26bac olympic sites for 905 undecided equestrian locations dont fit the bill for 2008 summer games by patrick casey staff writer potential york region venues for the 2008 summer olympic games will not be identified until toronto bid officials determine where they will house the equestrian events although the tobid committee is set to announce the location of various sporting events at a news conference tomorrow there will be no news concerning any possible sites in york durham halton and peel the four regions that have submit ted bids to house the olympic dressage show jumping and threeday competition events according to karen pitre executive vicepresi dent of tobid all four equestrian sites includ ing the york equestrian centre in cedar valley just outside newmarket do not meet the specifica tions laid down by the international olympic commission ironically the york equestrian centre was the site chosen to host the equestrian events for the 1996 games if toronto had won that bid over atlanta equestrian is the most costly event and nobody really has what we need admitted pitre in an interview yesterday morning its a big hole for us right now and we have to wait a bit before we get it nailed down until we figure out what it will cost we cant fig ure out what we can spend on some of the other sports in the different 905 regions we have to figure out what to do with the facilities after the games and the other sports are much less complicated we are trying to balance things across the 905 area and its not just a matter of equestrian its what else is on the table im not an equestrian expert but this has caused us a lot of problems added pitre who said the situation should be sorted out before the end of march aside from the equestrian events pitre said york region is bidding to host softball and baseball in richmond hill water polo and volleyball at a pro posed new sports centre in markham and soccer in vaughan on monday vaughan politicians agreed to com mit 24 million to construct a premier soccer field to olympic standards in a partnership deal with the ontario soccer association identifying the vaughan grove sports park opposite holy cross catholic academy in woodbridge as the preferred site vaughan regional councillor joyce frustaglio insists the olympics in toronto would create an economic surge but worries local taxpayers could be asked to pay a 1- or 2percent tax increase to fund the soccer venue we are the keepers of the purse strings and we have to make sure our taxpayers are not on the hook for an astronomical tax increase said frustaglio yesterday instead favouring a financial commitment from the region if we have a venue in york region whether its in vaughan richmond hill or markham regional council should see the benefit of it there is a dra matic potential to garner worldwide publicity from the olympics its now expected only 18 to 20 facilities will be sent tothe 905 belt but pitre said local residents will still have a chance to play host and interact with the amateur athletes especially since training sites are vital to the actual competition musselmans lake plays host to day of family fun and games the entire family is headed to musselmans lake this sunday the friends of musselmans lake is hosting a funfilled winter festival at the lake and at cedar beach pavilion the fun begins at noon and continues until 4 pm there will be something for everyone promises event coordinator ruth leblaric we are delighted to announce that this event will be free to the public and it will be filled with activities for all ages leblanc said the fun includes a scavenger hunt snow golf skating smurf hockey snow mountain snowmo bile rides a bonfire and a marshmallow roast inside the pavilion will be a host of activity all catering to children there will be childrens entertainers clowns face painting and birdhouse building a winter nature walk and wagon rides slated to begin at shadow lake near the pavilion will add to the day hotdogs hamburgers hot chili beverages and other snacks will be sold for a nominal fee proceeds will go towards the musselmans lake beautification iway store closing 1661 denison st markham kennedy rddenison st all inventory is 1070 off excluding tobacco 1999 fashion 50 off grocery 20 off pre 1999 fashion 60 off housewares 10 off footwear 50 off toys 30 off other items are up to 70 off all sales are final no refund or exchange the kidney foundation of canada give the greatest gift the gift of life were out to make kidney disease obsolete this message brought to you as a community service of the economisttribune ay markville passport to saturday february 26th 11 am 5 pm fragrance sampling makeup consultations free gift for every bride enter to win great prizes light refreshments from 12 2 pm free engagement ring polishing register to win your wedding on the wedding show or a honeymoon in jamaica let our many bridal experts answer all your questions 2000 ontario special olympics spring games volunteers required w sprinegames york region may1114 volunteers are required to help make the 2000 ontario special olympics spring games a success the games need volunteers for the 5 sport venues in newmarket aurora markham richmond hill and vaughan volunteers are also required to assist with opening and closing ceremonies and various hospitality events applicants 1 5 years of age and under may only volunteer with their parentguardian registered nurses are also required to provide nursing support to the athletes at the sporting venues and at the ceremonies and hotels we invite you to be part of this once in a lifetime york region event please contact the 2000 spring games office at 905special or email us at 2000springgameshomecom