Dream Field Baseball Diamond
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is inviting public comment on the concept design for a new regulation size accessible baseball diamond – Dream Field – proposed to be constructed on the Kiwanis Stadium site at 80 Tweedsmuir Avenue in Chatham.
Background
In January 2024 (motion) Municipal Council directed administration to work with a newly formed committee comprised of members of the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame, Chatham Minor Baseball Association, and other community members to explore the planning, feasibility, and potential location for a new regulation size accessible baseball diamond.
In June 2024 (report) Council identified the preferred location as the existing Kiwanis Stadium soccer field, between Fergie Jenkins Field and Chatham Memorial Arena subject to further design work and final approval.
The Municipality engaged the services of a local consultant to provide a feasibility study and a preliminary concept diagram of the preferred location. The study took into account a number of factors which included physical location, environmental concerns, engineering constraints, financial and administrative logistics.
The following items were considered when choosing the location and orientation of the proposed baseball diamond:
- Available municipal property
- Direction of the sun to minimize player risk
- Spectator seating & pedestrian and wheelchair accessible pathways
- Direction of foul balls and homeruns for netting requirements
- Parking implications
- Access to infrastructure such as storm, sanitary, water and electrical.
What will the diamond be for?
The Dream Field would include a multi-purpose full-sized baseball diamond for use by baseball players ages 14 years old and up and would be fully accessible to meet the needs of the Challenger baseball programs and be compliant with Challenger baseball standards.
The addition of the Dream Field is anticipated to help with economic growth through an increased number of baseball tournaments, alleviate constraints on existing facilities and foster community inclusivity by hosting Challenger baseball and other Challenger sporting events.
The proposed facility would include the following features:
- A synthetic turf field (infield and outfield) including bullpens and a removable/portable pitching mound
- Fully accessible, barrier free access to the entire facility, including above ground dugouts that would be level with the playing surface and approach sidewalks
- Chain link fencing to enclose the field
- Protective netting for residential properties
- Scoreboard & Bleachers
- LED Field Lighting
- Utility building for storage, bathrooms, electrical
- Concrete sidewalks
What will be the impacts on the site?
- Loss of soccer field
- Loss of 34% of arena parking area
- Relocation of 10 trees
The concept design proposes an upgrade of the existing north-south pedestrian pathway connecting Tweedsmuir to Tanser Court, a new east-west pedestrian pathway connecting to the playground area, and a resurfaced and re-painted parking lot servicing both the arena and the fields. The design also allows for improved traffic flow, parking layout, stormwater management, parking lot lighting and additional green space.
Who is paying?
The Committee has committed to funding all capital costs to construct the baseball diamond – estimated at $4M – through community donations, sponsorships and additional fundraising efforts. Proposed improvements to the pedestrian pathways and arena parking lot would be the responsibility of the Municipality and subject to separate approval.
What are the next steps?
Recommendations for next steps, including public comments, will be brought to Council in the late summer. The timeline for the project will depend greatly on the fundraising efforts and overall Council approval.
