No matter who hits a home run at the Challenger baseball diamond this summer, they’ll be able to experience the thrill of rounding the bases — even if they are in a wheelchair.
A funding partnership has transformed the Hillcrest Park diamond into a fully accessible facility.
“The field’s fantastic,” says Andy Dunn, president of the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»Canadians who play out of Nat Bailey Stadium next door.
Before the transformation, the field was often too wet and soggy to play on, he says. “Every child should have an opportunity to play and I thought we’ve got to do better than this for families and children.”
A committee was formed and the project would still be in the planning stages had “the wonderful, generous people” at Variety — the Children’s Charity not stepped up to help with a $150,000 donation. “We all owe them a huge thank you.”
Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»Parks Board commissioner Casey Crawford also praises the collaboration between Variety — the Children’s Charity, the Jays Care Foundation and the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»Canadians Baseball Foundation for putting a combined $280,000 towards the Variety Challenger Field. The city paid the rest of the $450,000 project.
“It’s rare we have such commitment from so many groups,” Crawford says. “It made the project viable. It’s a great collaboration”
Challenger baseball is for young people aged five to 18 who have cognitive or physical challenges. Players can be matched with a volunteer buddy and the emphasis is on enjoyment of the game.
Two and a half years ago, the Challenger team was invited to Williamsport, Pa., to take part in the Little League World Series.
“Ensuring and increasing physical activity for these children is important, as is education the community that children with special needs can play organized baseball, just like their peers,” coach Kris Gustavson told the Courier in 2014.
Dunn says that when he goes to a Challenger game, it’s the parents he loves to watch. “They’ve been through so much and I love watching the smiles on their faces as their kids enjoy themselves. I get more choked up about them.”
Although the artificial turf surface is perfectly flat to allow wheelchairs, the park also has equipment which also allows it to put down raised bases. Crawford says it’s the first baseball diamond of its kind in Western Canada.
Variety, which contributed $150,000 to the project, also provided $2,100 for new helmets.
The field officially opens this spring.
This Saturday, Variety will be holding its annual telethon to raise money for other such projects that benefit children. The is switching to a new one-day format to have a greater impact and reach a younger audience.
Show of Hearts runs from 9:30 to 5:30 at the Hard Rock Casino on February 12. Tickets are free. Global BC will be broadcasting the telethon, which will also be streamed live at .Donations can be made online at Variety.bc.ca, toll-free by calling 310-KIDS or by texting KIDS to 45678 to make an automatic $20 donation.
