Nunavut community to receive a “field of dreams” this summer
Toronto Blue Jays’ foundation will install a new baseball diamond in Pond Inlet
Pond Inlet is one of 15 municipalities across the country that will have a new baseball diamond installed this summer by the Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto baseball team. (File photo)
One Nunavut community is getting the field of its dreams installed this summer, thanks to a donation from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Pond Inlet is one of 15 municipalities across the country that will have a new baseball diamond installed this summer by the Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the baseball team.
The foundation’s Field of Dreams program will ship up materials this summer to install artificial turf in the Baffin community and bleachers for fans to sit on.
The new diamond is a welcome addition and a replacement for the makeshift baseball diamond that community members have used in recent years, said Nyasha Kamera, the hamlet’s recreation coordinator.
“We’re very, very appreciative,” Kamera said.
Kamera said the foundation will be installing artificial turf, which will make the field more accessible throughout the year.
“We were trying to get something more user friendly,” he said. “So even if we’re not playing baseball, kids can use it as a playground.”
Pond Inlet used to have an intact diamond, and an active baseball league, Kamera said, before it was torn down to make room for the community’s current hockey arena.
Bleachers from the previous baseball diamond will be set up at the new diamond site, which the hamlet will add fencing to once the turf is installed.
Kamera said the hamlet hopes to launch a new rookie baseball league this summer to boost interest in the sport.
Of the 15 community grant recipients for 2019, Pond Inlet was the only northern community selected.
Over the last five years, the Jays Care Foundation has invested about $8 million into 66 infrastructure projects across the country.
How long will the turf last outside? Won’t it be covered by snow in the winter from October to May? Won’t the snow disintegrate it over time? How come southerners always assume what works down south will work in the north?
“Will it last” How come you assume what works down south WON’T work in the North. Perhaps research the results in Rankin Inlet first before you go all negative. You DO know they get snow during the winter down south don’t you!
My understanding is that the Rankin Inlet turf was installed in 2012 (with an eight year warranty), so how’s it holding up?
If you look at $100,000 as the one time cost, and the field lasting 10 or 20 years it is probably a pretty good investment. I’m assuming that there’s at least 200 individual users, if not more. That takes it to a per person cost of $50 per year (200x10x50).
A longer field life, or more users just lowers the per person cost even more. That’s not even considering the community building effects plus I’m sure giving the kids something to do is a benefit for everyone.