Council backs fundraising push for new baseball field

Believing it would help fill a need in the community, Chatham-Kent council endorsed a fundraising effort for a new minor baseball field.

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The Field of Dreams committee, which involves the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame and Chatham Minor Baseball Association, is looking to build a fully accessible regulation-sized diamond.

Council approved a staff report Monday night asking that the committee be authorized to raise money for the estimated $2.5 million cost. This includes lighting which could be deferred to a future phase.

The current Kiwanis Stadium soccer field beside Fergie Jenkins Field at Rotary Park in Chatham was identified as the preferred location; however, this still requires final council approval.

Construction costs would be the committee’s responsibility, the report stated.

Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew credited the committee for its efforts in putting together the proposal, as well as committing to fund it.

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“It’s not about pushing out soccer,” she said. “There will be plenty of time. It’s going to take a minute to raise this money.

“We have community partners who want to step up and make this happen. We should be thanking our lucky stars for having those folks in our community.”

An analysis of the municipality’s long-term soccer needs will be done in the parks and recreation master plan.

While she agreed with the need, Chatham Coun. Amy Finn said she didn’t want to risk those soccer users losing any field time.

“There’s too many unanswered questions to me,” she said.

However, Mayor Darrin Canniff said those concerns would be addressed in the future report, stressing that “nothing will happen until we approve it at council.”

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The municipality would fund $35,000 for detailed design and engineering services, since the diamond would be operated and maintained by Chatham-Kent and included in the municipal asset management plan. This cost was referred to the next budget process.

This new diamond would have the capability of hosting events for players aged 14 and up, as well as Challenger Baseball programs for those with special needs.

“The Challenger athletic field is not just for baseball,” Crew said. “It’s going to be fully accessible and it’s going to be barrier-free for our community, which we at this point do not have.”

Kiwanis Stadium features a full-sized soccer pitch dividable into two smaller fields. It experiences approximately 80 to 100 hours of annual permit-use by organized groups, along with casual public use.

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“It is anticipated the loss of soccer inventory at this location could be moved to the future rugby/soccer pitch to be constructed at the new Regional Park along Bear Line Road by 2027, the report said.

West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan said while soccer is a growing sport, there are other field options, such as schools, if needed.

“But we have zero accessible baseball fields for kids in Chatham-Kent,” she said. “So, we can’t rent from school board. We can’t find other places.”

Harrigan called it important for Chatham-Kent to support the initiative, as it would boost fundraising momentum.

Through conversations with the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers, the report said it’s “apparent that Fergie Jenkins Field may require new infrastructure to improve accessibility, capacity and gameday operations.

“Those improvements should be identified in advance so new development at this abutting property does not limit those opportunities. It is recommended that site plan design for the new ball diamond at the preferred location also include site requirements at Fergie Jenkins Field.”

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