Beaumont is the first Alberta community to receive the prestigious Blue Jays Care Foundation’s Field of Dreams grant since 2016.
The Beaumont Minor Baseball Association (BMBA) was selected for funding to support the construction of a ball diamond at the city’s planned West Recreation space. This year’s grant recipients were announced live Friday evening on Rogers Sportsnet Blue Jays Central.
“We are beyond thrilled to receive this grant; it has been months of hard work for our volunteer association, but we knew the potential rewards for our kids would make it all worth it,” said Warren Chandler, Development and Fundraising Coordinator, Beaumont Minor Baseball. “We’re very proud that we get more and more kids wanting to play baseball every year out here in Beaumont, and now, thanks to the Jays Care Foundation and the City of Beaumont, when we teach our kids to dream big we can show them what can happen as a result. We want to thank Jays Care for this opportunity, and we can’t wait to get started!”
The Field of Dreams grant will support construction of a much-needed ball diamond. Through cooperation with the city, BMBA will be able to leverage the existing project and construction to allow for this new diamond to be built simultaneously during the 2021 construction season, bringing the total at the West Recreation site to five diamonds
“This past year and a half has been incredibly tough for our players due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Scott Kadatz, President, Beaumont Minor Baseball. “Our volunteers have worked incredibly hard under difficult circumstances to continue to provide baseball to our kids safely throughout this pandemic. This is some incredibly exciting news for our players, coaches, parents, volunteers, and the entire community of Beaumont. We all won today and I could not be more excited and proud of our Association.”
The project is an example of the City of Beaumont working with community organizations to enhance recreation opportunities for residents. The Beaumont Amateur Hockey Association funded partial costs for a new outdoor rink at the Ken Nichol Regional Recreation Centre and the Beaumont Minor Football Association started plans for a fieldhouse for the Four Seasons multi-use field.
“To be only the fourth Alberta community to receive the Jay Care grant over the past 10 years, and the first since 2016, shows that the volunteer spirit in Beaumont is strong,” said John Stewart, Mayor of Beaumont. “I can’t wait to see our kids playing on this new diamond next season! Thanks to the Jays Care Foundation for recognizing Beaumont, and to our incredibly strong baseball community for making this happen.”
Quick Facts:
- Beaumont is the fourth Alberta community to receive this grant in the last 10 years.
- The grant will allow for BMBA to build a new diamond as part of the West Recreation space project.
- BMBA will continue to work with the City of Beaumont to complete this project by fall 2021
About Beaumont Minor Baseball (BMBA):
BMBA is a volunteer organization that provides recreational and competitive baseball experiences for Beaumont youth aged 5-17. Beaumont Minor Ball represents almost 400 boys and girls across one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. BMBA is committed to the development of its athletes by teaching the game of baseball in a fun, positive and respectful environment. The organization provides the needed resources for both players and coaches to give them to the ability to learn and develop the skills of the game. BMBA is excited to be offering all-girls baseball programming for the first time in its existence and is honoured to be a partner with the Jays Care Girls-At-Bat program.
Media contacts:
Warren Chandler
Development and Fundraising Coordinator
Beaumont Minor Baseball Association
403-978-6505
warrenchandler13@gmail.com
Mike Berezowsky
Director, Communications & Marketing
City of Beaumont
780-243-0458
mike.berezowsky@beaumont.ab.ca