It looks like the Dream Field project in Chatham, formerly known as Field of Dreams, will take shape sooner rather than later thanks to some collaboration between councillors and the field committee.
A report going to Chatham-Kent Council Monday night stated that four councillors have agreed to cover the preliminary landscape design costs for the proposed fully accessible regulation-size baseball diamond and any other areas of the surrounding recreational assets that the project may need to consider such as the parking lot, Fergie Jenkins Field, pathways, and Memorial Arena.
The current Kiwanis Stadium soccer field beside Fergie Jenkins Field at Rotary Park in Chatham has been identified as the preferred location for the new diamond, pending design work and final approval from Council.
It also said some parking will be lost at Memorial Arena if the ball diamond goes ahead.
Mayor Darrin Canniff and Councillors Marjorie Crew, Brock McGregor, and Conor Allin have kicked in $35,000 in total to cover the landscape design using their Ward Funds.
"This will allow for design to take place in the fall and not wait for the 2025 Budget update," wrote CK Director of Parks, Fleet, and Facilities Rob Pollock in his report.
Pollock said completing this work sooner would accomplish many things, including improving the committee's ability to fundraise the $2.5 million needed for the project by showing potential businesses and community members the design of the project.
The committee said that the Dream Field project will likely be a multi-year task due to the amount of fundraising required and the large scale of the project.
Pollock noted administration will be bringing a report back to Council for discussion and voting to confirm the location of the field, to address concerns from other user groups of this location, and more information on the project.
This baseball field would be the first Challenger Baseball field in Chatham-Kent to meet the needs of individuals of all abilities.
"This type of baseball field will ensure that all residents can participate in sport regardless of their physical abilities as this ball diamond would be fully accessible," Pollock wrote. "The ball diamond would be used for Challenger Baseball and would be available to all groups in Chatham-Kent that may need an accessible field and/or wish to utilize the field and will be allocated appropriately with all user groups in the Municipality."
Challenger Baseball is a program that provides an opportunity for children with cognitive or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participation in baseball at a level structured to their abilities in a fun and safe environment, according to the municipality.