The city of North Bay is moving forward with a project some local softball and baseball enthusiasts say is long overdue.
Council approved a motion that will give Veteran’s Field a brand new synthetic grass infield at a cost over $500,000. The contract was awarded to TDI International AG Inc.
“I did talk to some of the user groups in North Bay and they were thrilled,” stated Coun. Derek Shogren during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
“It’s not a cheap venue, however, I remember having somebody yelling at council 6-7 years ago to get this done.
“We don’t really have a premier baseball field here in North Bay and many people in the community have been waiting for this for ages, it will be nice to see it finally get this makeover.”
Over the past few years, North Bay Minor Baseball and Senior Men’s Baseball have been lobbying the City for a grass infield at Veterans Field.
Councillor Mark King believes this project is of major importance to the baseball community in North Bay and will allow organizations to hold higher profile baseball events after the renovations are complete.
“Omischl field has seen hardball played at that particular venue,” noted King.
“We’re now going to be able to rebuild Veteran’s field and it has struggled for years with flooding.
“The seed money will allow the rebuilding of the outfield, warning track, and a synthetic mound.”
The report indicates that North Bay Minor Baseball and Senior Men’s Baseball League have provided written confirmation that they will contribute a combined total of $75,000 ($37,500 each) to the City towards the cost of the synthetic grass infield.
The report also stated that the facility in its current status was near ready for closure.
The Veteran’s Field facelift involves the design and reconstruction of the Veterans Sports Complex and including:
- upgrade the existing skinned surfaced infield to a synthetic grass surface
- reconstruct the grass outfield, upgrade the current drainage & irrigation systems
- install a new pitcher’s mound and home plate
- replace and redesign the outfield fence to improve field dimensions and install a warning track
With Files from Ryen Veldhuis
