It’s time to play ball in Burk’s Falls and representatives from the Jays Care Foundation will be there to celebrate the official opening of the town’s new baseball diamond.
Significant upgrades to the community baseball field were made possible through a $50,000 grant from the Field of Dreams program – the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays. Improvements included repairing the infield and outfield, new bleachers, benches, fencing, bases, and a new scoreboard.
“This funding has had a transformative impact, revitalizing a central recreational space and creating a safer, more accessible, and welcoming environment for athletes, families, and fans from across the Almaguin Highlands region,” says Burk’s Falls Councillor Ryan Baptiste, who spearheaded the project. “The improved field is already in active use and has become a renewed source of pride and energy in the community.
The Jays Care Foundation executive team, along with local players and their families, will be hand for the special event and the public is invited to attend. There will be sport clinics and activities with Jays Care staff, the ceremonial first pitch, and the unveiling of Jays Care signage at the outfield, backstop, and dugouts. The fun happens on Tuesday, May 20th at 5:00 p.m.
“The project is a major step forward in strengthening local recreation programming, supporting youth development, and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles,” Ryan says. “It demonstrates the power of community partnerships and the value of investing in rural infrastructure that brings people together.”
The timing couldn’t be better. On May 8th, the Ontario government announced that it is investing $300,000 into the Jays Care Foundation. This funding is through the province’s Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program, which expands sport and recreation opportunities for children and youth across Ontario.
“Our government is proud to partner with world-class organizations like Jays Care,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “As Ontario families face rising costs due to the threat of tariffs, our government is breaking down barriers for children of all backgrounds and abilities so they can experience the life-changing benefits of participating in sport and recreation.”
This investment will support Jays Care’s Indigenous Rookie League and Challenger Baseball programs to help further the Jays Care Foundation’s mission to use baseball as a tool for development for children and youth across Canada.
“The Government of Ontario’s funding will inspire community connections, cultivate a love for baseball, and support the well-being of youth living with disabilities, and Indigenous youth across the province,” says Jules Porter, Director, Programs at the Jays Care Foundation. “By enabling more children to access these transformative baseball programs, and equipping coaches with the tools to make sport more inclusive, this contribution will have a lasting impact. Together, we are fostering a healthier, more connected, and confident future for young people across Ontario, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive through the power of baseball.”
Since its inception in 2021-22, the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program has provided more than 65,000 children and youth across Ontario with opportunities to participate in sport and recreation programming in their communities. Under-represented and/or marginalized populations benefitting from IGR include low-income families, racialized children and youth, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, newcomers, women and girls, persons with a disability, children and youth in Northern Ontario and Indigenous communities.
705BLACKFLY.COM has been following the progress of the new baseball diamond for several months. You can see our previous articles and videos at the links below.
https://705blackfly.com/burks-falls-continues-search-for-tenders-to-repair-ball-diamond/
https://705blackfly.com/revitalization-of-burks-falls-ball-diamond-underway/
https://705blackfly.com/new-scoreboard-completes-work-on-burks-falls-ball-diamond/
