INNISFAIL – With Diamond 7 set to have its grand opening on June 1 Innisfail town council has approved a rental fee for its new field of dreams that is already being touted as the best baseball facility in central Alberta.
On May 13, town council unanimously approved three readings for an amendment to the Rates and Fees Bylaw that will allow the town to levy a fee of $75 per game at the new Diamond 7 baseball field.
The redeveloped facility, located at the northwest corner of Napoleon Park Sports Field behind the Innisfail Twin Arena, has been in the works for more than three years at a total cost of about $500,000, with major funding from the Town of Innisfail, a contribution from Red Deer County, and through determined fundraising.
“The town has worked with the Innisfail Community Facility Enhancement Society (ICFES) for the upgrade of Diamond 7 to a high-level baseball facility. The facility offers high quality grounds, a scoreboard and announcer booth,” said Meghan Jenkins, community services director for the Town of Innisfail.
“The ICFES will be directly managing the scoreboard, announcer stand and booking coordination for Diamond 7 as society volunteers will be on site during bookings to ensure the equipment functions and the grounds are suitably managed.”
Jenkins told council the town will handle invoicing and standard maintenance of the diamond.
She noted the $75 per game fee is reflective of the type of facility and regional rates.
Council was told the current adult rate for other diamonds in the community is $45 per game.
“Everything is ready to go. We've got just a few little minor things to do. But everything is ready. We actually did play a few games on it last fall,” said Murray Reay, vice-president of ICFES, adding the facility is a perfect fit for high level U18, U22 and adult ball teams.
“We've actually had people come in and play on it that have said it's the best diamond in in central Alberta.”
In the meantime, the bylaw amendment also calls for new rental fees at the town’s three tennis courts south of the Innisfail Aquatic Centre.
Jenkins told council they have historically been operated on a first-come, first-served basis with specific bookings only occurring during town programs.
“Increased demand for use by both tennis and pickleball users presents demand for an ability to book courts for certain activities with an associated fee,” Jenkins told council. “Administration will endeavour to only book two of the three courts at any one time maintaining public access.”
With council’s approval of the amended bylaw the new tennis court rental fee will be $12 an hour for use of a court.
Jenkins said a schedule of court bookings will be posted on site.
“We are working with parks (department) to get a new signboard to be posted outside of the tennis courts that will allow us to post that schedule for any recurring bookings, as well as information about getting keys, and general protocol for the courts,” said Jenkins, adding there is also increased pickleball interest for the courts as well.
“There has been more demand as pickleball has been increasing in popularity,” she added. “If there is a desire for someone to make sure they have their spot we have a group that comes out at a certain time.”
