Ontario Construction News staff writer
The near $5-million price tag for the Farrow Riverside Miracle Park in Windsor is climbing as the project enters the final phase of construction.
According to the city, cost overruns have surpassed “a couple hundred thousand” due to material and construction costs.
The redevelopment is nearing completion and an official opening will be held May 14, 2022.
“The transformation of the Farrow Riverside Miracle Park has added new vitality to one of Windsor’s most historic neighbourhoods,” said Mayor Drew Dilkins.
“This fall, we are adding the new Toldo Foundation accessible wellness trail, finishing the landscaping around the new exercise stations and adding finishing touches to the baseball diamonds in time for the grand opening next May.”
The project was spearheaded by the Riverside Minor Baseball Association and approved in 2017 to transform the former Riverside Arena property into a modern, inclusive outdoor community hub featuring diverse recreation and sports facilities that are fully accessible to visitors of all ages and abilities.
City Council contributed about $1.9 million toward the overall development and Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac added $100,000 in ward funds. The final phase of construction is now underway and will add the following enhancements:
- 700-metre, fully accessible wellness track along the perimeter of the north baseball diamond
- fully accessible outdoor wokout equipment (three distinct stations)
- aluminum bleachers with guard rails and notches for wheelchair seating
- players’ benches for the Miracle and north baseball diamonds
- new dugouts for the north baseball diamond
Upgrades completed last year include installing a rubberized surface to the Miracle Diamond and upgrades to the Centennial Pool, with construction of new interior and exterior accessible washrooms.
“After years of planning, fundraising and construction, the Riverside Minor Baseball Association is looking forward to the fulfillment of our dream to inaugurate Windsor’s first Miracle League of Riverside Baseball in our new state-of-the-art Miracle Diamond,” said Tom Laporte, Riverside Minor Baseball Association president.