The Aberfoyle baseball diamond is already a nice one, but it’s about to get a lot nicer.
It's classic with its natural grass outfield, and dirt infield and warning track.The short porch in left is a mature maple tree, and there's a playground apparatus just beyond the right field wall. It would take a bit of pop to land one on the roof of Puslinch Community Centre in dead center. With new lights, new stands and bleachers coming, it should be even more of a hitters’ park.
A team made up of Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever, Wellington Halton Hills MP Michael Chong, and Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield, weren’t dressed for baseball Wednesday morning. But their business suits meant they were at the ballpark for somewhat more ‘front office’ matters.
The three announced $75,000 in funding from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program to help the Township of Puslinch polish up and upgrade the diamond.
Lever said the money will be part of a $250,000 project, a component of the town’s recreation master plan, to modernize the 23 Brock Road baseball facility. Lever said the money will go into safety upgrades, new lights, and stands. Lever thanked the federal government for the generous contribution.
Longfield said the funding recognizes the value to communities of gathering and playing together in outdoor recreational facilities. The Community Infrastructure Program helps communities renovate, expand, and enhance its recreational amenities, he indicated.
Chong arrived at the announcement with his two sons. One was eager to get on the field, the other took photos of the event.
Chong gave a brief history lesson at the announcement. He said Canada 150 is a major commemoration of the confederation 150 years ago of three colonies – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and United Canada. That dominion represents, Chong said, the third oldest continuous system of democracy in the world.
But, he added, it’s important to remember that the first political institutions in this land were established way back in 1604.
The baseball diamond project is one of 350 in southern Ontario receiving Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program grants. A total of $88 million has been allocated to the program.
