Softball Yukon's Whitehorse facility needs upgrades: city inspectors

Building inspectors from the City of Whitehorse have checked out the Pepsi Centre ball fields in Whitehorse and identified a "laundry list of deficiencies" at the facility.

The inspection of Softball Yukon's facility was prompted by recent complaints from fans with disabilities. They pointed to a lack of wheelchair-accessible washrooms, and poor pathways and parking options for people with mobility issues.

Pat Ross, Whitehorse's planning and building manager, says inspectors found bleachers and bathrooms in need of upgrades. But he says not all of the deficiencies qualify as code violations.

"Through a strict interpretation of the code, they do not apply to this type of facility," Ross said.

Ross says accessibility rules in the building code don't apply to facilities not open daily to the public.

"Both parties agree that anything that's required by the bylaws will be done," Ross said.

But outside those legal requirements, it's up to Softball Yukon to decide what's necessary.

George Arcand, executive director of Softball Yukon, says the board of directors will make the decisions about upgrades.

"We have just received the inspectors' report," he said. "We're going to go through that, we're going to find out exactly what he's saying is deficient and then we will meet and decide what will be done to the ball park."

He said any work required on the ballpark won't start until the spring.