The Town of Whitecourt is getting some major league help in improving the community’s baseball diamonds.
On April 22, 2022, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that Whitecourt is one of 16 Canadian communities to receive a Field of Dreams grant. Through their Jays Care Foundation, the Blue Jays hand out $1.2 million in funding to help baseball organizations across Canada to improve their facilities.
Whitecourt Minor Baseball (WMB) is getting $70,000.
WMB is quite excited about this money.
In a post on the WMB Facebook page, Whitecourt Minor Ball communications director Kodie Daffurn says they will be using the money to refurbish their ball diamond. They will be replacing the grass infield with a shale infield, adding new fencing, and making the facility handicapped accessible.
“Behind the scenes, some of our WMB board members, club members and community members have been working hard to apply for this special grant,” says Daffurn. “It took hours of dedication and the hard work has paid off immensely for our community and the sport we all love.”
Whitecourt town council opened their April 25 meeting by thanking the Blue Jays.
“As a former coach here in Whitecourt, I know that the upgrades to our field are needed, and will be used extensively by our local children and youth,” said Mayor Tom Pickard.
Pickard added that Town administration worked with WMB on their application, and that Town councillors will be showing their gratitude to the Blue Jays by wearing Blue Jays caps when they staff the Town’s booth at the Whitecourt Trade Fair on May 27.
“It is a great day for Whitecourt, and it will be even greater when those diamonds are shaled and ready to go,” summed up Pickard.
