“We’re thrilled that the funding will provide for a top-flight facility for our ball players in town and the ability to host tournaments,” said councillor Graydon Smith, culture and recreation committee chair.

The town applied for the funding under the provincial government’s $450-million Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative, a onetime grant program that supports local infrastructure priorities in communities across Ontario.

The ball field complex is to be constructed on the 60-acre former Peake farm property on Taylor Road east of Highway 11. It is to include four new ball diamonds, a washroom and canteen building, trails, parking and other related facilities.

The construction of the new Nipissing University campus and the Georgian College development in Jubilee Park displaced the town’s former ballparks.

The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $3.75 million. Depending on design decisions, the town needs approximately $950,000 more for the project. The plan is to finance this by debentures.

“The town is committed to managing our capital projects in a fiscally responsible manner and this grant means the difference between being able to undertake the overall project at one time versus having to phase the project over several years,” said Bracebridge Mayor Don Coates.

A ball diamond advisory committee, appointed by council, is co-ordinating the project. The committee, which consists of representatives from the local ball user groups and the town, is working with the consulting firm of Totten Sims Hubicki Associates on the design and construction of the project.

“This grant is terrific news and the members of the advisory committee look forward to moving ahead quickly on the project,” said councillor Scott Young, committee chair.

A public consultation session will be scheduled in mid-spring to obtain comments from the community on the proposed design, before the project proceeds to tender for construction later this year.

This summer ballplayers will have the use of two diamonds at Jubilee Park and two at Kerr Park.

Leo Broere, Bracebridge culture and recreation manager, does not expect the new park to be operational at least until late 2009 to permit the establishment of grass in the outfield.