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ulls Plug on Hugo Cross Country Track -Press Pub]ications... http://www.presspubs.com/cifizen/news/article_t2ab2654-0&-1 <br />� t Coach Pulls Plug on Hugo Cross Country Track <br />By Deb Barnes/Citizen Editor I Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 20118:57 pm <br />HUGO - University of Minnesota head women's cross country coach Gary Wilson pulled the plug <br />on his vision of a cross country track at Hugo's 125 -acre Irish Avenue Park mere hours before a <br />subcommittee formed to explore the idea was to meet for the second time and a day after he met <br />with city staff to review the meeting agenda. <br />"We will now be pursuing more land in other locations," stated Wilson's email announcing his <br />decision. <br />The email, dated Tuesday, Nov. 15, was sent to members of the subcommittee, city staff and <br />several individuals who had voiced support for the concept. <br />Wilson's decision, The Citizen has learned, was made within hours of his receipt of an email sent <br />Tuesday morning by Hugo Councilmember and subcommittee member Chuck Haas, who <br />represents the voting ward in which the park is located. <br />Haas's short email included a list of requirements, including the submittal of a comprehensive <br />project plan. The e-mail suggested that if Wilson could not comply with Haas's request by that <br />evening, the subcommittee's meeting should be postponed. <br />"What I want is some details," Haas said. "We've consumed a lot of staff time. I'm all for it, if it <br />works. <br />"I'm not seeing what it's going to take to make this happen." <br />In his e-mailed response, Wilson said, "Our intention was to GIVE something to the City of Hugo <br />that they could use and enjoy for years to come ... a project that we felt would add to the spirit of <br />Hugo." <br />Wilson stated further that track proponents understood that it was not in the city budget to make <br />any improvements, nor develop a "solid park plan," until resources become available. <br />"Dave (Percival, White Bear Area High School men's track head coach) and I still believe that <br />there is enough land there for everyone to get what they want," he said. <br />Nevertheless, Wilson went on, "it has become apparent to Dave Percival and myself that the cross <br />country project in Hugo at the Irish Avenue Park will simply not work out at this time." <br />Councilmember Tom Weidt, who also served on the subcommittee, expressed his disappointment <br />in Wilson's decision during an interview later that day. <br />"We can delegate responsibility on how these cross country meets are run and that everything gets <br />