The Club has big plans for 2013!

The Club and its Executive always maintains a "Dream It, Wish It, Do It" agenda. This year, we intend to move several of those wishes and dreams into action.

In addition to the regular season and playoff activities of our four (4) house teams, the activities of our guest teams and the City, Provincial and Western Championships the Field serves on a regular basis, the Club has long aspired to host events with a National scope. While Giants Field itself is well prepared for such purposes, the field-side facilities and amenities are not sufficient.

To that end, the Executive and Board of Directors conceived a modernization project that includes the following elements, all of which could be executed this summer:

• Announcing Booth / Press Box Upgrade
• Stands Upgrade
• Storage Facility Upgrade
  • Includes a Canopied Area Upgrade

FUNDING

With an overall estimated budget of $285,000, the Club reached out to various funding agencies and government programs for financial assistance in helping Winnipeg and Manitoba project themselves onto the National Baseball scene. In particular, the Executive submitted applications to the following programs and funding groups:

• Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) – Western Economic Diversification Corporation (WEDC; Government of Canada)
• Community Incentives Grant Program (CIGP; City of Winnipeg)
• Community Places (Province of Manitoba)
• Community Services Council (Province of Manitoba)

To date, in addition to Club funds in hand resulting from years of fund-raising activity, funding offers have been confirmed from the CIIF – WEDC ($127,063), as announced on February 22, Community Services Council ($16,000), announced in 2012, and the Community Incentives Grants Program ($50,000), as approved this evening.

We are in continuing discussions to secure the remaining funds. Depending on the final total, the Club will adjust the scope of the project to match the available capital. Also, depending on final estimates from its suppliers, the Club has identified additional upgrades that may be incorporated in the project leveraging the new elements to full advantage as soon as possible.

PROJECT DETAILS

The project consists of the following modifications to existing facilities around the diamond:

• The existing temporary game announcer / press box facility would be replaced with a metal-clad two-storey structure behind the home plate grandstand
• The home plate grandstand, several decades old, would be replaced with a raised structure, relocated a few feet back from the screen and potentially lifted a few feet to improve visibility and afford the possibility of installing a fielders’ screen to improve playing conditions
• The existing field-side storage (a shipping container) and supplementary storage in Directors’ basements and garages would be replaced by a concrete shed with a solid floor
• Replacing a temporary canopy installed currently only for special events, the Club will establish a canopied area where fans can enjoy the games under shelter from the sun and other elements; it would be attached to the new storage shed on a solid floor extending from it

AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE

The Club expresses its gratitude to the two levels of Government who have already committed to the modernization of Giants Field. We look forward to being able to announce in the near future that all the necessary funds have committed and that the full project will be accomplished this summer.

The Club also takes this opportunity to thank the organizations that provided and continue to provide support both in this modernization effort and in day-to-day Club operations, specifically:

• City of Winnipeg Parks Department
• Chalmers Community Centre
• Baseball Manitoba
• Baseball Manitoba 2013 Canada Summer Games Team
• University of Winnipeg Wesmen Baseball Program
• Springfield Braves
• Winnipeg Senior Baseball League
• Manitoba Junior Baseball League
• Winnipeg Junior Baseball League
• Red River Valley Sports League
• Winnipeg Amateur Baseball Association

We know these improvements will serve all of these organizations well.