Miracle Park gets the green light with $1.4M raised so far
The lofty goal of raising $2.5 million to transform the former Riverside Arena site into a Miracle Park for disabled children has reached the point where the project’s a go.
“It’s going to happen, there’s no doubt about that — it’s just a matter of whether we can get in the ground this summer or get into the ground this fall,” fundraising committee chairman Dave Cooke said Friday. “We think it’s going to be this summer.”
Some observers were dubious a year ago when organizers from Riverside Minor Baseball Association (RMBA) were pushing the community project and promising to fundraise the required money. The plan involves using the vacant arena site on Wyandotte Street East, and incorporating the existing St. Rose Park and Riverside Centennial Pool, to create a massive accessible playground, accessible washrooms and change rooms, a gathering place with a stage, a walking path and a Miracle Field Diamond, a rubberized playing field for kids with disabilities to play baseball.
The plan also includes moving the existing Cenotaph to a more prominent position at the front of the property.
At the time, city staff recommended that the arena land instead be sold to a developer for a commercial-residential project, but a groundswell of community support convinced council to go along with a revised version of the RMBA plan.
“It’s going to be a pretty unique park,” said Cooke, noting that at least $1.4 million of the $2.5-million goal has already been raised. The first big chunk came from businessman Rick Farrow, who committed $500,000. Then the Solcz Family Foundation promised $250,000, Unifor gave $30,000, and smaller donations totalling $100,000 have been made. Cooke said there’s about $200,000 more in donations coming.
In addition, the organization is optimistic about applications submitted to several government programs, as well as a City of Windsor application for a Canadian Tire Jumpstart grant.
Also, the city is paying $180,000 toward the accessible playground as part of a $7.4-million program approved in September to replace 28 older playgrounds throughout the city. And in January, city council approved an enhanced capital budget that included $400,000 to help pay for the accessible washroom.
Cooke said the fundraising efforts continue, including having talks with service clubs and putting out donation boxes at Riverside businesses. In June, proceeds from RMBA’s annual 100 Inning Game fundraiser will go toward the project.
Mayor Drew Dilkens said Friday he was happy to learn the latest fundraising results. “That information is certainly evidence of the strong community support for that project,” he said.
The project’s steering committee meets next week, when the most up-to-date figures on costs will be presented. Meanwhile, the site plan is going through the approval process at city hall. Cooke said organizers are optimistic work can begin in the summer and will take several months to complete.