Blue Jays donate $30,000 for ball field improvements in Blind River

A $30,000 donation for Blind River from the Jays Care Foundation, a charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays will go toward upgrades to the town ball diamond.

“Blind River will be achieving this incredible infrastructure project that was originally planned to span four years, into a one-year scope,” Blind River’s director of facilities and community services Karen Bittner said. “This project will see updated and reconfigured fencing which includes crowning, installation of our sun-shelter dugouts, rehabilitation of the outfield, improved bleachers, bike racks, updated trash cans, an updated equipment box, incredible Jays Care Foundation Field Of Dreams signage, and more.”

“The Town of Blind River cannot be happier to be a part of a project that will not only enhance Town Park for our entire community, but ensure it is safe, fun, and updated for Algoma’s youth.  Our goals were simple: Ensure our spaces were ready for users craving outdoor sports and ensure our youth have lasting experiences that promote a life of play and activity,” she added.

Bittner also thanked the input of staff in the application she sent to Jays Care.

“Staff have worked tirelessly to improve this space and recognized we needed help in order to complete this project properly.  The Jays Care Foundation Field of Dreams opportunity aligned with Blind River’s priorities perfectly. We think we did a great job showing how incredible Blind River, its neighbours, and Algoma truly are,” she said.

She also credited council for its support.

“Our entire Council was in full support of an initiative that would ensure a project could be completed fully, safely, and bring joy to our Northern Ontario community. We all hoped that Jays Care Foundation would choose this project so a good news story, and impactful project could be brought to Algoma during these difficult times.”

The funding announcement was made prior to Friday's Blue Jays and Houston Astros game and is part of the Jays Field of Dreams program which saw a total of $1 million donated to 14 communities and organizations. It is meant to “build, enhance, and refurbish baseball diamonds where children and youth develop important life skills and learn from positive role models,” a Jays' news release stated.

Blind River is among eight recipients of the funding in Ontario. Also receiving donations are communities in PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Jays Care has donated $15 million across the country for similar projects in the last 10 years.

The ball diamonds recently received a donation of two dugout shelters from woodworking students at WC Eaket Secondary School in Blind River. The dugouts are designed to protect players from the elements and will be installed as part of the overall project.

“This grant will improve our community ball field and support youth and those young at heart baseball leagues. We look forward to inviting other communities to enjoy our back yard,” Mayor Sally Hagman said. “That expression ‘Build It and They will Come’ goes a long way in putting Blind River on the map. We look forward to show casing our community to everyone,” 

The mayor also commented on the donation to the community.

“Total excitement. Over the moon. I’ve never won a lottery but this is just as good! As mayor when our community is chosen, it reflects on all of us.”

“By having first class baseball fields, this will no doubt attract young people to participate in organized baseball,” she said of the work the donation will allow. “Knowing that we are being recognized on national television goes a long way to promote and encourage young people to get in the game.”

 “Thanks to the hard work of the students at WC Eaket Secondary School, the generosity of The Jays Care Foundation, ELNOS, Blind River Minor Baseball Association, The Town of Blind River, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, we will be proud to host sport at this site in Blind River when can safely to do so. We cannot thank these community-minded people enough. To The Jays Care Foundation, we sincerely mean it when we say thank you,” Bittner added.