The Riverside Minor Baseball Association is moving forward with fundraising for a miracle baseball field after getting the green light from Windsor City Council Monday night.
Council approved a ten-year lease agreement for the former Riverside Arena lands on Wyandotte St. E near St. Rose.
The chairperson of the Riverside Minor Baseball Association, Bill Kell, says it is a dream come true.
"When we started this, we were told 'there's not a chance you're going to get this, administration is completely against it,' and the person that said that, I said 'we'll see,'" says Kell.
In addition to approving the lease agreement council agreed to work with the club to build new accessible washrooms for the property. The washroom facility will also be utilized for the Centennial Pool located at the back of the property.
"When they go out and they say they're going to raise all of the money for this project, they're going to build the miracle diamond, they're going to maintain it, and it's going to enhance to our community, well how can you say no to it?" says Gignac.
Windsor is also moving forward with the demolition of the former Concord Public School. The land will be zoned as low-density residential.
"Yes we're foregoing use of the [Riverside Arena property] for higher density residential units and commercial, but for me it really isn't foregoing anything. You maintain ownership of the property, the community group builds their facility, and we have thousands of children who will enjoy it," says Gignac.
Fundraising will begin immediately for the field. As the project was approved local business man Rick Farrow announced a $500,000 commitment over the next three years. In total, the club is looking to raise around $2.4-million for the field.
