Construction on the new fastpitch baseball diamond at Salt Spring Island’s Hydro Field has begun, thanks to contractors identifying works that could be completed before the May long weekend — and without interfering with the popular soccer tournament.
Capital Regional District senior manager Dan Ovington confirmed Thursday, March 19 the project is funded not only through a $300,000 anonymous community donation but also through roughly the same amount of Community Works Funds, which had been in the “fix up a ball field” end of the budget for some time — originally as a placeholder for upgrading the field at Fernwood Elementary School before being transferred to the project at 160 Rainbow Rd.
“This work [now] won’t actually impact the tournament or the field,” Ovington told the Local Community Commission (LCC) March 19. “You’ll see quite a lot happen after the May long weekend.”
Ovington told the LCC crews expect construction to be complete by the end of June, after which the field can be hydro-seeded.
Public tender documents have shown a skinned infield — the diamond-shaped dirt area containing bases, base paths and the pitcher’s mound — dugouts on concrete pads, galvanized steel backstops and a modest amount of spectator seating in two 12-foot, four-tier bleachers.
“It’s quite exciting,” said LCC member Brian Webster. “It’s always good when community members step up and allow us to encourage important amenities and services for the community.”