Trent University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Leo Groarke and City of Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett officially kicked-off the start of construction of the new $1.97 million Trent Sport Field project with a grand slam home run, thanks to the announcement of a $100,000 funding infusion from a Field of Dreams Grant from Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays.
“These are exciting times for Trent University,” said President Groarke. “As we mark this important milestone in the development of the new Trent Sport Field project, following on the heels of the selection of Trent as the location for Peterborough’s new twin pad area, we are making the Symons Campus a comprehensive centre for indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities in the region. In many ways, this is only the beginning of some very exciting and critical north end developments we are planning. We are thrilled to be doing so with the City of Peterborough, who is a partner helping us make our field of dreams a reality.”
Joining Mayor Bennett, President Groarke and other partners and dignitaries at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new baseball diamond and sport field was Robert Witchel, executive director of the Jays Care Foundation, who announced the new grant.
“We are excited to have partnered with the Peterborough Baseball Association and pleased to provide a $100,000 investment towards the Trent Sport Field project,” said Mr. Witchel. “As Canada’s team, we are proud to join Trent University, the City of Peterborough, and multiple baseball associations, and are moved at the prospect of providing 750 youth the opportunity to play the game and benefit from the invaluable life skills that are learned on the baseball diamond.”
“On behalf of the City of Peterborough, thank you to the Jays Care Foundation for supporting this project that expands sport and recreation infrastructure in our community, benefiting the health and well-being of our residents,” added Mayor Daryl Bennett. “The addition of a second regulation-size baseball diamond will also give the city the facilities to host baseball tournaments, which help the local economy by generating economic activity for restaurants, hotels and other businesses.”
The Trent Sport Field project is a cooperative project of the City and Trent University, with support from the Peterborough Baseball Association (PBA) and the Peterborough Recreational Baseball Association (PRBA). At a total estimated cost of $1,975,552, the project, which will be located at the corner of Nassau Mills Road and Pioneer Road on the East bank of Trent University, includes:
- A major-sized baseball field including grass infield, 325’ left and right outfields and 400’ centre field, irrigation system, players’ dugouts, pitchers’ bullpen, sports field lighting and outfield fencing;
- A natural turf rectangular sport field to accommodate rugby, field lacrosse and soccer, meeting the IRB (rugby), FIFA (soccer) and IFL (lacrosse) requirements for field dimensions and including an irrigation system, sports field lighting and safety fencing;
- Parking and pedestrian walkways.
Funding and financial contributions for the project breakdown as follows:
- City of Peterborough - $1,438,052
- Trent University - $250,000 and provision of land
- Peterborough Baseball Association - $150,000
- Jays Care Foundation - $100,000
- Peterborough Recreational Association - $37,500
The contractor commenced work this week and the sport fields are expected to be complete by June 2016. Use of the two sport fields should be ready for 2016 sport season. The Trent Sport Field project is another example of a cooperative arrangement between public institutions and community sport for new recreation infrastructure. The City would not have accomplished this project on its own due to the lack of municipal land for sport field development.
About Jays Care Foundation
As the charitable arm of Canada's only MLB team, Jays Care has made a Major League commitment to invest in Canadian children and communities from coast to coast. Since 1992, Jays Care Foundation has created opportunities for children and youth through programs that focus on helping kids get active, engage in the sport of baseball, excel academically and lead healthy lives. Jays Care is committed to breaking down barriers to access sport and education and building safe, dedicated spaces for recreational and educational youth programming in communities across Canada.
Posted on Tuesday, July 14, 2015.