What started as planning for a set of washrooms and a concession facility at the Centennial Park ball diamonds has morphed into a full fledged ball development centre. It’s thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Humboldt Ball Development Board and a working partnership with the City of Humboldt. 

The recently released plans for the facility shows an approximately 6,000 square foot construction complete with an approximately 30 by 80 foot upper deck. Drawings fashioned by Peter Siry at Land Studio with consultation from Thomas Stadnyk and Bluestone Builders show a pair of batting cages, an expansive concession area with full seating, storage for city park maintenance equipment.

The proposed building would also provide space for early spring indoor practices by converting the batting cages to an open area, says Trent Ries with the Ball Development Board. This provides numerous advantages for local players.

“It will be a space for them to utilize instead of always being in schools trying to get gym time or in the curling rink to try to get time in the spring. If we had our own spot, it would just be much better.”

The consistent availability of space would ensure that teams wanting that early start could proceed. Ries also feels the extra development time could lead to stronger competitors and teams. He also sees the facility as raising Humboldt’s profile in provincial baseball and indeed enticing other centres to want to come to the city for tournaments and games. 

“Our groups are always travelling to Saskatoon or Regina even just to play league games. The Saskatoon teams don’t want to come to Humboldt. Maybe if we put a facility like this together, maybe they’ll be like - no we’re going to Humboldt. We’ll give them a reason to come here.”

To dredge up an often quoted baseball movie cliche, “if we build it, they will come” - that’s the philosophy the Ball Development Board is taking.

The Board is also in talks with the City about the possibility of the facility’s use in the winter months. With the Community and Leisure Services Department still examining the prospect of a multi use outdoor rink, the development of the ball facility might be pressed into service through the year. 

From its more humble beginnings, the ambitious project could come in at the $1.3 million dollar range when combined with potential city use. Ries says the Board is about a third of the way in fundraising. He is hoping that local contractors will entertain promotional considerations in exchange for some of the labour.

“We are a non-profit, so anything we can trade off as an advertising bonus and convince people to do some work in exchange for advertising, that’s what we are going to do.”

This past summer, the Board offered sponsorship of each diamond. Ries says those opportunities are still available with two of the diamonds still available for sponsorship. 

Expect more announcements in the coming days as the City of Humboldt moves forward with its park and outdoor recreation plans. In the meantime, the ball community and residents of Humboldt are buzzing with the exciting new prospect. For more information, get in touch with Trent Ries or one of the members of the Humboldt Ball Development Board through their Facebook page.