The Field of Ability is located just off Sidney Street in the heart of Belleville at Parkdale Veterans Park. The original plans to open in 2020 were pushed back due to the pandemic. Photo by Jordan Mills, QNet News
By Jordan Mills
BELLEVILLE – Even the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t delay the opening forever.
After years of fundraising by supporters, the Belleville Field of Ability had its official opening this past Saturday. Located at the Parkdale Veterans Park, the state-of-the-art facility intended to make sports accessible to all is now cleared for public use. It was initially scheduled for a 2020 opening, but the pandemic caused plans to be delayed until it was safe for everyone to attend.
With a rubberized playing surface, accessible bleachers and dugouts, and a fully fenced-in ball diamond, the field is one of only two locations like this between Toronto and Ottawa. Plans for the facility started back in 2017, under then mayor Taso Christopher. The council at the time set aside the plot of land that was to be used for the park, while the current council under Mayor Mitch Panciuk pledged $400,000 to help.
There’s a wall at the facility showing all the individuals and groups who donated to the project. Lisa Newman-Chesher, the chair of the project committee and head of Quinte Challenger baseball, says, “We are seeing a cultural shift right now. People and communities are more aware of inclusion these days, and to see the outpour of support from the area makes me so proud.” Photo courtesy of Lisa Newman-Chesher
Lisa Newman-Chesher, the head of Quinte Challenger League baseball, was one of those leading the charge. Challenger baseball allows children and adults with physical and neurological disabilities to participate in sport with no limitations. A local resident, she says she is proud of her work with the group and wants the Quinte region to be an example of inclusion.
“We are seeing a cultural shift right now. People and communities are more aware of inclusion these days, and to see the outpour of support from the area makes me so proud,” said Newman-Chesher.
Around 300 people showed up to give their support at the opening last weekend, she said. She was joined by Panicuk and Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith, both of whom thanked everyone for attending the opening and gave thanks to all those who donated in some way.
When plans for the project began back in 2017, the hope was to raise the required amount over five years. Newman-Chesher says they reached their initial goal of $750,000 in only two years, and the final amount raised was around $1.2 million by the end of the fundraising.
“We were able to play a small number of games last year, but the previous year was lost due to the pandemic,” she said. “I think the athletes, and everyone involved, came back more resilient. People want to come out and play more than ever, and we’ve seen our registration double since opening.”
Challenger League baseball had around 40 athletes registered before the field was opened up. The league now has over 100 athletes registered, spread across six teams.
“People have come up to me and said, ‘Lisa, I’m so proud of you for realizing your dream,’ ” Newman-Chesher said. “I’d tell them that it was a full team effort, and I just happened to be the one to throw the first pitch.”
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