Article written by Cheryl Brink of the Cornwall Standard Freeholder 

Vice-president Kirby Camplin packed the council chambers with players on Monday night as he talked to council about revitalizing the Joe St. Denis field.

"We're bursting at the seams," he said, noting they are up to 500 players with a new program added nearly once a year. He said the increase is encouraging, but has taken a toll on their turf.

"We're our own worst enemy," he said. "We overuse the field. It's an unforgiving sport to grass."

He said it has deteriorated so much that at one point, they worried visiting teams would turn around and go home because the field conditions were so poor.

He added that the clubhouse is far too small, with only a couple bathrooms and not enough change rooms to accommodate visiting teams.

Council had some discussion around the site during this year's budget deliberations, but in postponing the demolition of the neighbouring Bob Turner arena, they put off redevelopment of the field as well.

Planning, parks and recreation general manager Stephen Alexander said the ideas will be revived when the 2012 budget debate kicks off.

"We need to be looking at the field if usage can continue," he said.

Camplin said if the Bob Turner is torn down, it could open up space for a smaller practice area that would give the game field a break. Though in response to a councillor's question, he said the change rooms and offices inside the arena would more than accommodate the club's needs.

Coun. Andre Rivette offered Optimist Park as another alternative. He said once soccer fields are installed at the Benson Centre, the space at Optimist could be given to the Cornwall Minor Football Association.

"You need something that's going to be good for you guys for the next 10 to 15 years," he said.

Council referred the matter to administration, which will come back with a report looking at options to accommodate the players.

But Coun. David Murphy assured them that the group didn't attend the meeting simply to ask for money.

"They're not coming looking for a handout, they're looking for a partnership," he said.

"We want to work together with the city," agreed Camplin. "We feel we can contribute. We want to pay our fair share."

He said his vision is a facility that the city can be proud of and showcase to traveling teams during tournaments.

"(St. Denis) has been our home," he said. "I guess we'd like to be there, but if there are better options we're open to them."

He said they already do fundraising to maintain the program, since the association provides equipment to all its players and allows those that can't afford registration fees to suit up anyway.

"Football appeals to all shapes and sizes," he said. "Athletes that are outcast in other sports can be stars in football."