A controversial plan to add field fees for youth sports teams using city soccer pitches, baseball diamonds and ball hockey rinks will most likely be waived for 2012, Toronto councillors said Thursday.

The announcement came after Coun. Sarah Doucette and Coun. Janet Davis met with Mayor Rob Ford to bring forward concerns about new field fees approved as part of the 2012 budget.

The budget passed in January, but the fees were not communicated to sports leagues, some of which were shocked to receive invoices for the fees in late February.

The extra fees were up to $90,000 in some instances, said Jack Brown, spokesperson for the Toronto Sports Council.

Before the fee increase, fields were free for child and youth sport associations.

Many of the organizations had already budgeted for the year, and didn't have extra money for the fees, he said.

"The user fees were just a tremendous slap in the face to volunteers and an incredible hardship to families who just couldn't afford to put any more money out there for their children to be active, healthy participants in their communities," Brown said.

A group of councillors met with association executives to hear about how the fees would effect their groups. Couns. Doucette and Davis then brought those concerns to Mayor the mayor in a meeting Thursday.

Ford said he was able to find $1.5 million to cover the fees through "efficiencies and unexpected surpluses."

The money can be used to waive the fees in 2012, and the city will deal with 2013 during the next budgeting process, he said.

"I'm a high school football coach. I deal with fields almost everyday," Ford said. "And I support kids. I think it's great that they're getting exercise, participating in team sports, learning to work as a team, because in life, that's what you have to do."

Brown said he was happy to hear that lobbying efforts had paid off.

"I think it's just terrific," said Brown. "I think that everybody should be really proud of their city councillor because, collectively, these councillors heard everything that has been said at the various town hall meetings over the last couple of weeks, and really acted upon it."

City council still has to vote on a motion to waive the fees on Tuesday, but Ford said he expects council will pass the motion.