Local baseball officials are hoping Rotary Park and Fergie Jenkins Field can see get around $280,000 for park and stadium improvements approved by council Monday night.
According to a report submitted by Rob Pollock, Chatham-Kent’s Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities, $100,000 from the Hydro One Community Benefit Fund would be used to install a perimeter fence around Fergie Jenkins Field.
The proposed perimeter fence would continue to allow public access to the grounds while deterring vandalism to the park and its amenities.
The rest of the money would be used for the construction of additional bleachers and amenities for the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers with the $180,000 being accessed from the Parkland Reserve Fund.
After a successful first season, the IBL team requested from administration additional bleachers. The new seating would allow at least 500 extra fans to attend the games.
To offset the funds being pulled from Parkland Reserve, Pollock recommends the municipality extend the agreement with the baseball team from five years to twenty.
In 2022, council approved a five-year agreement with the Barnstormers which included capital improvements to the park. This new agreement would see the team pay back the money for the additional bleachers over 20 years.
There is a contingency, if the team or league were to fold before the 20 years, the Parks, Recreation & Facilities team would still utilize the bleachers by relocating them to another park.
