Facility of Dreams needed on the North Shore

ONE YEAR from new, District 5 (comprising the North Shore and Howe Sound) will play host to the best Major Little League baseball teams in the province.

OF this there is no doubt.

The question that remains to be answered is where the tournament will be held?

As one respected North Shore coach said recently: “The: best North Shore ball park is in Whalley.” Another called North Shore parks “second-rate at best.”

Hosting this type of event will focus all eyes on the North Shore's _baseball facility “deficiencies” (a park planner’s word —— not mine).

The yet-uncompleted Parks and Recreation Master Plan for the

North Shore recognizes that local sport field facilities lag far behind our municipal counterparts in the

- Lower Mainland.

» For other baseball districts who come here, those deficiencies will be glaringly obvious when com- pared to their home parks, a realiza- tion that will put the accomplish-

~ments of Lynn Valley, last year’s

“Canadian champs, into perspective.

As major Jeague scouts are say- ing, coaches in North Vancouver

~have their hands tied behind their

-backs. *'I feel like I’ve gota lead

.: Weight tied to my ass,” one exas-:

. perated coach said.’

Because of demand exceeding

: Supply, many local teams are forced

overtown to find suitable access to . parks. When offered the chance, many of these squads choose to

Kevin Gillies .

VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS

play in other districts instead of on their home fields.

Communities across the prevince — Surrey, Coquitlam, Burnaby and interior or northern districts —- pour money into devel- opmental sports facilities.

West Vancouver's Ambleside Park was recently refitted, includ- ing the installation of lights, so it could host official tournaments, but it is the only park on the North Shore that qualifies. The bulk. of the project’s capital came from fund- raising efforts by local leagues.

Last week, the above-mentioned Lynn Valley team defended its - provincial title at South Surrey Athletic Park. Even though this park is not Surrey’s premier venue,

it puts the North Shore’s best park.

Ambleside, to shame. The Surrey facility has top-of-

the-line turf, soil, irrigation, fencing (backstops and home run fences), bullpens (yes, bullpens), dug-outs, batting cages and bleachers.

To top it off, Ambleside could easily fit into South Surrey Park five limes (not including South Surrey’s full football field). Is it any wonder Whalley and Surrey have had such success at provincial and national tournaments?

Municipal politicians in North Vancouver have been developing the Parkgate Community Park pro- ject for several years now. It would serve as the North Shore's premier tournament facility.

Last week, the project awaited council approval to hire a consul- tant to do the working drawings, the first phase of building the dream.

Talk of Inter-River Park devel- oping into a large recreational com- plex has been going on for at least 10 years. Should the current feasi- bility study (at taxpayers’ expense) determine Inter-River, it could accommodate a large recreational complex, but a district park plan reveals it would take another 10 years before the first pitch would be thrown out. That's 2004.

What we need here is a design like Squamish’s Brennan Park, which combines nine baseball dia- monds and eight soccer fields.

Little league parks are being repaired and upgraded in time for next summer's tournament, but the North Shore desperately needs a tournament facility or sports field complex.

Any coach from any Lower Mainland municipality will be more than glad to talk about the problems

Team Up Today!

Get your family, friends, co-workers on their marks, ready, set "GO" to the 2nd Annual Lions Gate Hospital 9¢1¢1 Relay!

Form a team of up to 8 relay participants and gather pledges. Ail pledges go to Lions

Gate Hospital's Emergency Department.

© Choose Leisure or Competitive Division.

© Special categories for Youth, Seniors

and Corporate Teams.

Early Bird Savings!

Early birds get the best registration rates. Sign up your teain before August 25th and save $5.00 on your registration fee! Included in your fee is‘a 1994 Relay shirt featuring North Shore artist, Michael

Tickner's work.

North Shore “deficiencies” are causing loca! youth, coaches, par-

ents, volunteers and the community

in general.

‘The field managers will also opine freely on the many communi- ty benefits that come from investing

aw

in baseball for young people.

There's no shortage of talented, cager and committed kids who strive for excellence and distine- tion, but many of our best players look away from the North Shore to find their field of dreams.

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* North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue.

® Any North Shore Bank of Montreal.

® Any North Shore Cruise Holidays.

Special Thanks to: District of West Vancouver * City of North Vancouver © District of North Vancouver

Sunday Sept, 25, 1994 ¢ Ambleside Park ¢ West Vancouver

For More Info Call: 984 - 3782