The Fergie Jenkins Field in Chatham will soon be undergoing some renovations.
Chatham-Kent council met on Monday where they approved allocating $100,000 from the Hydro One Community Benefit Fund for the installation of a perimeter fence around the baseball field at Rotary Park and $180,000 from the Parkland Reserve Fund for the construction of additional bleachers.
The new bleachers is expected to accommodate a minimum of 500 people, according to a report by CK Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Rob Pollock.
The municipality also signed an amended agreement with the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers for 20 years starting this season, including increased rental charges to recover the $180,000 bleacher cost over the length of the agreement.
"Administration has been in communications with the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers throughout their first season and during the off-season to discuss challenges and opportunities to work together. One of the items the Barnstormers had indicated they need was more seating around the stadium to allow more fans to come and enjoy the game," wrote Pollock. "Reviewing agreements of IBL teams, it is common for IBL teams to pay for these types of improvements when it benefits their operations and when it benefits the Municipality and the IBL team, the expenses are usually paid in a shared cost model."
Pollock said a permanent fence would deter vandalism at Rotary Park and to better protect infrastructure investments, such as public art, grandstands, netting, a defibrillator, and grounds equipment.
He added the park has experienced vandalism including cutting of safety nets, graffiti, damage to electrical infrastructure, and dumping.
Pollock also reported a significant decline in vandalism during the 2024 summer season that administration attributes to a temporary event fence installed by the Barnstormers.
"While the fence did not restrict public access to the grounds, administration is of the opinion that its presence successfully deterred visitation by opportunistic vandals," he added.