Stanstead sports complex nominated for Kraft Heinz Project Play grant

Community members in Stanstead submitted over a dozen nominations to the Kraft Heinz Project Play grant program, hoping to revamp the ball field and sports complex and revive what was once a popular pastime in town.

“Fifteen years ago we had a strong program in this town,” said Anthony Stewart, who wrote one of the nomination letters to Kraft.

“Half the population of the town was there for every game,” added Stewart’s wife Jennifer Mccomeau, who also submitted a nomination. Over the years interest waned. According to Stewart, some of the older players from the ball park’s heyday decided to give the sport another try.

“The support has been really good coming back,” Stewart said, explaining that the league had four teams join this year, and players are hoping for six next year.

“We’re all having a good time,” Stewart said, explaining that it is a mixed league with men and women aged 14 and up.

“We’ve got every range of players,” he said, from heavy hitters to beginners.

The playoffs are scheduled for this weekend.

The problem, according to Stewart and Mccomeau, is that the field and surrounding buildings are in dire need of renovations.

“Every time it rains, they can’t play; there’s no drainage on the field,” Mccomeau said.

Stewart explained that over the years, the drainage pipes have been covered up. While there are buildings on site where there used to be a canteen, they remain closed now because they are not up to code.

“We’d like to hold tournaments next year,” Stewart said, which would involve having food available to visiting teams.

“We need the facilities to do this stuff,” Stewart said.

While Stanstead boasts an impressive arena, Mccomeau pointed out that activities there are expensive.

“Lower income families can’t afford to get their kids into hockey,” she said, “It’s (softball) a good outlet for this little town.”

The Kraft Heinz Project Play program offers funds for upgrades for community sports facilities.

There are 130 nominations for Quebec. While most are requests from individuals in different towns across the province, there are more than a dozen nominations for the Stanstead Sports Complex.

Stewart, his wife and several other softball and baseball players from the area each submitted nominations, hoping to get their project into the final four.

Stewart said the final four projects will be named on Sept. 4 on Sports Centre and RDS. It will then be up to voters to decide which project will receive the top prize of $250,000. A number of runner-up grants in the $20,000 range will also be awarded, Stewart said.

“We would be happy with anything,” he said.

Even without a Kraft grant, Stewart wants to renew a love of baseball and softball in the Stanstead community.

“The town is waiting to see if it grows, if there is community interest,” commented Stewart. He hopes that if the mixed league continues to gain momentum that the municipality will consider investing in the sports complex regardless of whether or not they hit a home run with Kraft.