Chatham-Kent looking to transform soccer field to a new baseball diamond

A group that is doing the fundraising to build a new baseball diamond in Chatham, will be coming to Chatham-Kent council at Monday’s council meeting to discuss a location for the new field.

The municipality is recommending building the new field near Fergie Jenkins Field, on the Kiwanis soccer field on Tweedsmuir Avenue.

The Fields of Dreams committee is looking for the municipality’s help with the planning, feasibility, and potential location for a new regulation-sized baseball diamond capable of hosting events for players aged 14 plus and Challenger Baseball programs. The committee is looking to raise approximately $2.5 million for capital costs for the new field.

If council agrees that Kiwanis soccer field is a good location for the proposed baseball field, it would obviously impact the Chatham soccer community. A new baseball diamond will eliminate the current soccer field. Kiwanis Stadium. In a report from administration it said the anticipated the loss of the Kiwanis soccer field could be moved to the future rugby/soccer pitch to be constructed at the new Regional Park along Bear Line Road by 2027.

An analysis of the municipality’s long-term soccer needs will be done in the Parks & Recreation
Master Plan.

The new baseball diamond could also affect parking at Chatham Memorial Arena.