Upgrades coming to premier baseball diamond at the Libro Centre

Town council approved upgrades to the premier diamond at the Libro Centre, which has a total budget of over $375,000. New artificial turf and moving home plate 20-feet forward are among the works that have been approved.

Town council has granted its approval to upgrades to the premier baseball diamond at the Libro Centre.

Such improvements will be new artificial turf, moving the home plate out 20-feet to comply with Baseball Canada guidelines, and replacing clay around and on the infield. New base dimensions will also be accommodated under the new design, allowing for younger age groups to be able to utilize the field.

The total project budget is $375,208.17 with a shortfall of $133,536.97 being funded by a reallocation of other projects such as light standards and ice infrastructure projects, also related to the Libro Centre.

Manager of facilities Terry Fasan noted that the Libro Centre’s premier diamond is the only artificial baseball field in Essex County. He noted the field is used by the University of Windsor and Windsor Selects for training and games as well as “numerous other user groups throughout the year.”

The outfield fences and backstop, including scorer’s booth, will remain in the same spots.

“The Premier Baseball Diamond has been in service for 15 years and is nearing the end of its useful life. With the most recent Baseball Canada regulations changes and significant wear on the diamond caused by the existing mix of clay and artificial turf removal and replacement is recommended,” he said in his report to town council. “With the proposed upgrades the diamond will be replaced with a full artificial turf system designed to meet updated standards, increase playtime, and include multiple base placements to accommodate younger leagues. This upgrade will enhance flexibility, improve safety, and make the facility more marketable for tournaments and community use.”

Councillor Linden Crain asked if the diamond could still be used despite the Baseball Canada regulations, with Fasan stating it could but the town is losing out on tournaments and other important games due to the current proximity of home plate to the backstop.

“We’ve already lost out on a few tournaments to date,” said Fasan.

Crain also asked about whether the field could be converted to grass, but Fasan cautioned there is a stone surface underneath the artificial turf that would have to be ripped out as well. He stated the artificial turf field drains well and is usable quicker after it rains than a grass field, adding there are higher maintenance costs with a grass field.

Fasan added “we’re in a bit of a time crunch” in terms of getting the project completed.

“We’d like to move on this sooner than later,” he said.

Crain was initially apprehensive, stating he would have liked to have seen a bit more information come before council.

“There are other costs I think council should look at,” he said. “I’m not sure I can decide without all of the facts in front of me.”

Councillor Diane Pouget voiced concerns over the shortfall, saying it was a “very significant change” than what was originally budgeted. Fasan said when Baseball Canada’s regulations came down, the town had to pivot and rethink some of the project. 

Councillor Peter Courtney said it has been known for a long time that the backstop was too close to home plate and that the town is now fixing that. He wondered what the “like for like” cost would be.

“It still functions as a baseball diamond,” he said.

Councillor Don McArthur liked what he saw in terms of the upgrades, noting younger people can use the field and develop their baseball skills but also their dreams. He recalled using Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton when playing flag football as a youth and how important that was to him at the time, adding he wanted the same experiences for Amherstburg youth.

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me to have a premier baseball facility that can’t have Baseball Canada games. It’s not a premier facility then,” he said, adding the town has already been saving for this.

Facilities supervisor Ryan Wismer noted they are planning to accommodate for 50-foot and 75-foot bases, in addition to the regular 90-foot bases. Pouget asked if the younger players would pay a user fee, and Wismer noted other groups currently pay them now.

Councillor Molly Allaire said she didn’t want to see the town spend the money on upgrades only to see Baseball Canada regulations change again. Wismer said the 60-foot backstop rule already existed, “they are just hard-lining it.”

Courtney later asked about upgrades to Malden Centre Park, noting Amherstburg Minor Baseball Association enrolment is increasing and is now back to roughly 300 players. He noted the new pavilion at the park, the new playground and the removal of fencing in Malden Centre, but wanted to know what council could do for further upgrades.

Courtney said he hears from AMBA officials and he said they need updated washrooms and a canteen facility.

“It’s kind of like a final phase,” said Courtney. “They need upgraded amenities. There’s a couple things left to function as a league out there.”

The families that are enrolled in AMBA are all local taxpayers, he added, and wanted to see what the town could do to help them.

Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne said the current capital budget identifies funding under the parks master plan so council can determine which amenities can move forward.

“I would suggest that there are opportunities in the next capital budget cycle for those directions to be provided,” she said.

Courtney wanted to see a note or direction provided to the next council to make it “a point of interest.” Osborne said council can put forward a motion that administration consider those items as part of the funding identified as placeholders and the next term of council can deal with it as well. That motion was passed at the May 11 meeting.

Upgrades coming to premier baseball diamond at the Libro Centre

By Ron Giofu