Kirk McNabb is hoping Puslinch council will play ball – and take part in a partnership to establish a year-round Sports training facility here.
It’s a sizable proposal, potentially covering between 20 to 40 acres with a cost of $10 million, excluding the cost of land.
McNabb was before council on June 4 seeking the municipality’s support in the endeavour.
He suggested Puslinch is likely to be a prime location for urban development,
“so it’s crazy not to think about (economic development).”
“But the bottom line is I’m looking for a home base for Fergie Jenkins Baseball.” He said the idea for the facility “was pretty simple” considering Jenkins “is the only Canadian in the Baseball Hall of Fame.”
McNabb noted Jenkins is a recipient of the Order of Canada and one of only two living Canadians who has been featured on a Canadian stamp.
“I have become very good friends with Fergie Jenkins and I have discussed this idea and proposal with him,” McNabb told council.
“He is totally behind it and is happy to provide us with his baseball network and baseball background to help make this a reality if I can find a home – and that is where Puslinch Township comes into play.”
McNabb, who added Jenkins now lives in Phoenix but does travel to Canada quite often, said he was lucky enough to play ball in the United States when he was younger.
He now coaches in the Fergie Jenkins Baseball League “to fight more for the Canadian kid.”
“With baseball becoming global, we’re getting left further and further behind. We’ve got talent and skill out there. That’s where Puslinch comes in,” McNabb said.
“I have been involved in running camps, showcases, leagues for 20 years. One of my goals for exploring this opportunity with Puslinch Township is to be able to provide a true opportunity for the Canadian baseball player to improve his game in order to get to the collegiate or pro level. I witness every day how baseball is becoming a world sport, which on the surface is amazing.”
He continued, “Reality is, this is taking away from our Canadian players to be able to keep up or have the opportunity to be truly seen by college coaches and pro scouts. I want to try and do whatever I can for the Canadian player and I need a home base in order to do this.”
The facility would provide year round baseball training for amateur players within 50 to 100 kilometres of Puslinch and Highway 401.
There is also the opportunity to run a league for players aged 14 to 19 right at the complex, in addition to hosting international, national, OUA, OCCA and high school tournaments as well as college showcases, he said.
A slo-pitch league could also be established after hours if the desire is there for outside users, he added.
Area residents could have access to the fieldhouse from September to July to use the walking track and other on-field options during the daytime hours.
McNabb’s vision includes a 220 by 120 foot long fieldhouse with a 40-foot ceiling, hall of fame room, offices, change room and possibly a restaurant.
Four fields would be attached at each corner of the fieldhouse on the outside; two full size fields and two youth-size fields.
There would be a batting cage area and bullpens would be between the fields on the outside.
If a big enough area is available, McNabb would like to provide walking trails to meander through the complex for both spectators and residents.
As to what McNabb sees as a potential working relationship with Puslinch Township, he said a lease agreement between Fergie Jenkins Baseball and Puslinch Township is not ideal to him at the present time.
His other approach would have the township operate the centre, which would be run by McNabb. He anticipated generating the funds to build the facility without township money being invested.
But there has to be a home base from which to work, he noted..
“I’ve been doing this for at least 20 years in Ontario, and what I’m finding more and more is that municipalities are getting further away from wanting to do actual recreational activities,” he said, adding municipalities “will never admit it … they’ll give facilities … but to the bare minimum … and charge for every little thing imaginable.”
He stressed that is not only in Guelph, but throughout Ontario.
He said that when he spoke with members of Guelph council in November to “feel them out” they came back with a “crazy solution.”
That, in part, is why McNabb approached Puslinch council.
Councillor Susan Fielding was intrigued with the proposal, but she wanted staff to have a chance to review the proposal and make recommendations.
Fielding anticipated those involved in the recreation master plan would likely want to see more detail.
“I think it is really important. Baseball has really gone a bit off our radar, right now we’re really big into soccer here,” said Fielding.
However, she believed there are lots of young people with talent. “If there isn’t an area to hone that, it doesn’t go anywhere … We owe it to our youth to do things like this.”
Fielding suggested, “I think this could be a very big step for Puslinch and an honour to have something like that here.”
McNabb admitted other Sports such as basketball and soccer are growing.
“But to be realistic, a multi-billion dollar industry owns the Toronto Blue Jays, so (baseball) isn’t going away. It’s not going to disappear. Let’s embrace it and take advantage of it.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley concurred with Fielding that the matter should be discussed as part of the development of the township’s recreation plan.
Regarding the overall size/scope of the project, Stokley asked how much land was needed to create the facility.
McNabb said the size of the field house proposed was based on the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre in Marden.
He suggested 20 to 40 acres to accommodate the facility.
“It’s not just a baseball thing … but something the community could use,” McNabb said, mentioning the possibly trails.
He explained the fieldhouse from September to June could be used by the community during daytime hours for things like indoor walking or other recreational uses.
Stokley said, “this is an extensive area to develop.” Plus, he added, there is not a lot of that type of property owned by the municipality.
Councillor Ken Roth agreed the idea should be considered as part of the overall recreation master plan.
He added, “I’m glad to see you don’t think the township should be involved with a monetary expense.”
McNabb provided what he considered to be a high estimate of $10 million as the upper end.
“It’s an ambitious project,” Roth said.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt considered this a very enthusiastic proposal.
“Puslinch is not really notorious for hardball, and softball is very quickly receding.” That said, Schmidt agreed that with proximity to the big leagues nearby, “it would be forward thinking to plan accordingly.”
Schmidt said if cost to the municipality was a major consideration, “it would be a rough go.”
But the way McNabb was laying out the proposal, it appeared attractive, Schmidt commented.
However, like other councillors, he too recommended discussion take place as part of the recreation master plan process.
“At the same time, it’s very interesting and I wish you the best,” said Schmidt.
McNabb contended that girls fastball is huge as a sport.
“It’s the females that have the golden ticket to be quite honest,” he said.
Mayor Dennis Lever too wanted to see McNabb’s information forwarded to the recreation master plan group.
