A year after the City of Windsor was selected for a Field of Dreams grant from Jays Care Foundation, Father Cullen Baseball Stadium at Mic Mac Park is ready for a new season.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens joined local youth baseball players for a ribbon-cutting and a ceremonial first pitch on Saturday.
The old backstop was removed, and a new backstop has been installed with hoistable netting and new padding. The concrete surface from dugout to dugout was increased, the dugouts themselves were upgraded, and more benches were added for each dugout.
The city invested $150,000 in the upgrades, matching a $150,000 grant from the Jays Care Foundation.
"Father Cullen Stadium is our premier stadium in Windsor. It has been home to many national and provincial baseball championships, serving as the host site for competitions that inspire youth, celebrate sport, and increase quality of life and community engagement," said Dilkens. "This generous funding from the Jays Care Foundation helps to ensure that the stadium continues to be used by local associations and the many teams that come to Windsor for tournaments and events."
Field of Dreams is the foundation's granting program that provides funding to design, refurbish, and build local baseball diamonds across the country.
"This revitalized stadium will give kids a safe place to build character, find a sense of belonging, and experience the power of baseball in their community," added Jays Care Foundation Executive Director Peter King.
