Russell Martin baseball field now equipped with a lighting system

Work to add a lighting system to the Russell Martin Baseball Field in Chelsea is now complete. Thanks to the 2019 Field of Dreams grant of $100,000 from the Jays Care Foundation, the Municipality was able to move forward with this project.

The lighting system will allow baseball fans to enjoy more time to play their sport and will give Baseball Chelsea the opportunity to introduce new programs. It will also give more players the opportunity to play baseball and continue to progress in Chelsea. 

In total, the lighting system will have cost $267,205. The Municipality invested $127,705. An amount of $41,500 will be paid by Baseball Chelsea, of which $12,500 came from a donation from the Caisse Desjardins Hull-Aylmer. The difference was covered by the 2019 Field of Dreams grant. The Russell Martin field is located in the Center-Village on Chemin d’Old Chelsea. It is the only baseball field with lights in Chelsea.

“Baseball is steadily gaining popularity in our community and in our region. The installation of lights on the field is a valuable addition for players of all ages, and for the Baseball Chelsea organization at large. Without the financial contribution from the Jays Care Foundation, we would not have been able to complete this project. We would like to thank the Jays Care Foundation for their ongoing support. Thanks also to Baseball Chelsea for their involvement and dedication and to the other partners involved — they are a great asset to our community,” said Caryl Green, Mayor of Chelsea.  

“We are excited that the most recent upgrades to Russell Martin Field are complete, and that our investment will enable more children and youth in Chelsea to safely reconnect on the diamond this summer,” said Robert Witchel, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation. “Our partnership with Baseball Chelsea and the Municipality of Chelsea began with a $150,000 investment in 2015 and we were pleased to offer a second grant of $100,000 in 2019 towards the new lighting system. We are grateful to the many volunteers who promote life skill development and support the mental and physical health of the children and youth of Chelsea through the great game of baseball.”

“This is a game changer”, said Julia Arnsby, President of Baseball Chelsea. “The popularity of baseball in Chelsea has grown exponentially, from 48 players in 2017 to almost 150 in 2021. We just didn’t have enough availability at the field to accommodate a growth of 300% in participation”, added Ms. Arnsby. “This project would not have been possible without the generous commitment and support of the Municipality of Chelsea, the Jays Care Foundation, Caisse Desjardins de Hull-Aylmer and many local businesses and parents who have supported our fundraising efforts. We would like to thank them all for making this project possible.”