Council narrowly voted to accept a report from Town staff, on Monday, outlining the details of the deal in which the OSC is expected to pay back the loan in no less than 20 years.

The terms of the deal also have the OSC making an upfront contribution of $300,000 to the project while the Town will be contributing another $1.075 million towards the facility's development.

This Town contribution was determined in a previously-approved agreement in which the Town would pay to build a separate washroom/changeroom and concession facility, as well as pave the parking lot and pay for local landscaping.

The partnership was prompted when the OSC's indoor soccer program, which serves around 2,000 children, was dealt a blow with the facility it currently uses being sold to owners, who are not in the indoor recreation business.

With no facility for the OSC's 2008/2009 indoor soccer season or the foreseeable future, OSC representatives at Monday's council meeting were eager to hear Town approval on creating the new facility, currently scheduled for construction in Pine Glen Park, in the area of Pine Glen Road and Third Line.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Town Council the time to act is now," said OSC President Neil Brown. "What you have before you is an opportunity to approve a first-class facility. The options of temporary structures and other sites have been investigated and have been found to be suboptimal, found to be second class. At the OSC we do not aspire to be second-class. The boys-under-17 soccer team that I coach does not aspire to be second-class."

Under the recommended agreement, the Town will own the land and the building, while the OSC will be responsible for the day-to-day operations.

The OSC will also be responsible for the renting of the facility to interested parties. Brown noted that even with construction yet to begin, local sports groups are already making enquiries.

"We've already received requests for field-time use from one other major sports organization in our community, the Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club," he said.

"There's also been an indication of interest from Rugby Canada."

Despite the enthusiasm shown by sports groups, not everyone is quick to accept the new facility. Councillors noted that members of the Pine Glen community have voiced concerns the construction of the indoor soccer field would result in a significant loss of green space.

Increased traffic brought to the area by the new complex was also listed as a concern, as was the potential appearance of the building and the possible precedent the Town could set by lending such a large amount of money.

Staff noted they had advertised an e-mail address and invited residents to weigh in on the issue, which resulted in a total of 35 responses.

Of these, 14 opposed the facility, 15 supported it, while six requested more information.

A public information night on the indoor soccer facility resulted in similar concerns.

Brown attempted to ease some of these worries, by pointing out the proposed plan for the site has been altered to convert one of the four outdoor soccer fields in the vicinity to park area.

Given the demand for soccer fields in Oakville, however, Town staff recommended this transformation not take place until the soccer fields being built in North Park are completed in 2010.

As for increased traffic, staff noted that the indoor facility would primarily be used in the winter and as such there should be no significant traffic increase during the summer months.

Staff noted Pine Glen Park was chosen as the optimal location for the facility due to its size, accessibility and proximity to transit among other reasons.

Councillors also received assurances that in the event that the OSC was unable to live up to its financial obligations, it would be the OSC that would take the hit and not the Oakville taxpayers.

Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar tried to introduce a motion instructing staff to investigate setting up the facility elsewhere.

"There's a lot of money involved here," he said.

"I want a facility where children can play soccer in the wintertime too, however, I want to make sure we do it properly and I'd rather have it in North Park where it truly belongs."

This motion was defeated, while a motion to accept the staff report, which recommended moving forward with the partnership in Pine Glen Park passed.

The OSC is hoping the indoor soccer facility can be completed before the winter of 2008/2009.