Media Release: West Nipissing Awarded $149k Field of Dreams Grant for Goulard Park Baseball Field

[West Nipissing, ON] – The Municipality of West Nipissing is proud to announce that it has been named a recipient of the Jays Care Foundation 2025 Field of Dreams grant, made possible by TD. The Municipality has secured $149,000 in funding, to support the revitalization of Field 1 at Goulard Park, marking a significant investment in local recreational infrastructure. This project represents the first phase of a longer-term plan to redevelop and modernize Goulard Park.

On Sunday, May 4, the Municipality hosted a community watch party at the Sports Hall of Fame, where members of Council, youth athletes, local sports leagues, and baseball fans gathered in eager anticipation of the live announcement on Sportsnet. The event was organized to bring the community together in support of West Nipissing’s application for the 2025 grant.

When West Nipissing was announced as a recipient of the grant, the room filled with applause and celebration, reflecting the pride and excitement shared by all in attendance. This moment marked a major achievement for the community, representing an important step in West Nipissing’s ongoing investment in local recreation and the enhancement of spaces that foster community engagement and inclusion.

The Field of Dreams Grant, part of Jays Care Foundation’s nationwide initiative to improve sports facilities for Canadian youth, will be used to enhance safety and accessibility of the field, including the installation of new dugouts, fencing, upgraded bleachers, a new backstop, and improvements to the field surface. West Nipissing’s newly reestablished youth baseball league will greatly benefit from these upgrades providing youth with a high-quality field to develop their skills and foster a sense of community. The space will also continue to support both casual and competitive sports, serving as a key venue for local schools, adult leagues, and a variety of community events.

Mayor Rochon highlighted the significance of the grant: “What an incredible moment for our community. This is a huge step forward and a game-changer for the future of recreation in West Nipissing. With our new youth baseball league gaining momentum, this project will ensure the spirit of baseball and community sports remains alive and thriving for years to come.”

She further acknowledged the contributions to the application process, commending the leadership of Municipal staff and recognizing the pivotal role of Councillor Rivard: “I want to recognize the municipal team for their efforts in preparing a strong application, and extend special thanks to Councillor Rivard, who was instrumental in bringing this opportunity forward to Council.”

Councillor Rivard, Chair of the Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee, shared his thoughts on the grant: “I’m very excited to see this project come to life. This isn’t just about upgrading a field – it’s about investing in our community’s future.”

He went on to explain how he brought the idea forward to Council: “One day, I was just watching a Jays game at home and saw that a town in Nova Scotia was awarded the money, and I thought – why not try this in West Nipissing? It would be a great start to the Goulard Redevelopment. I had also heard that Youth Baseball had restarted a league and thought this would be a great way to show support to the volunteers who are trying to get something going in West Nipissing.”

In addition to funding from the Jays Care Foundation, Council has committed to covering the remaining project costs. This investment highlights Council’s dedication to improving public spaces, as outlined in its four-year term plan, which prioritizes infrastructure renewal and upgraded recreational facilities for residents of all ages.

The Municipality is committed to ensuring that construction will not disrupt the current baseball season, allowing for full use of the field this summer. Construction for the project is expected to begin this fall, with the goal of completing the upgrades before 2026.