The Ryan Dempster Field of Dreams could have a massive facelift courtesy of the Gibsons Minor Baseball Association (GMBA) and the hometown hero himself.
Contained in the proposed $380,000 project are a host of improvements including state-of-the-art lights, bleachers, an electronic scoreboard and scorekeepers' building, a picnic and playground area, improved landscaping and field conditions, a permanent concession stand, wheelchair access and below ground dugouts.
Dempster, the Chicago Cubs' starting pitcher, is personally donating $360,000 for the project, while $20,000 will come from GMBA."The excitement around it is tremendous. It gives the community an opportunity to come together to see really good baseball at various levels," said GMBA president Brian Scarr.
The Town of Gibsons parks and community services committee recommended approval of the plan on Tuesday, voting to send it to council for further review and final approval while instructing staff to assist GMBA with all the necessary permits to get the project rolling.
Part of the vote also involved adding an additional $7,000 to the Gibsons parks budget to help with electricity and maintenance costs.Paul Gipps, chief administrative officer for the Town, recommended that GMBA go through a full development permit process for the lighting, even though it is not required, as the issue of light pollution from the field may unnerve some residents.
GMBA has already shopped around for quotes and has reached a deal with a company that designs its lights to minimize "light spillage."
"This product we want to go with is so well designed in terms of the impact, it's going to be less than the light standards that are on the street," Scarr said.
Gipps suggested that part of the consultation process could involve players from GMBA going door to door at the nearby apartment complex on Park Road.
"We would be completely respectful of our neighbours and you would not see it going beyond 11 p.m. at the latest," Scarr said.
Scarr said it would allow the leagues to start games as late as 8:30 p.m. and open up the spring and fall for night games.
The improvements will give the Town a massive edge when it comes to being selected for league tournaments as the quality of the field is a major consideration, according to Scarr. The tournaments, he said, will be a financial boon for the GMBA as well as local businesses.
"People will be coming and enjoying and opening their eyes to what the Sunshine Coast really is. This is a huge plus for the community." Scarr said.
Pending approvals, the entire project will be rolled out over the next year.
