The Irricana, Kathryn, Beiseker, Keoma (IKBK) Minor Ball Association will soon be completing upgrades to the ball diamonds in Irricana.
Rocky View County council approved $10,000 in recreation funding, Sept. 6, to assist the IKBK in completing the aboveground dugout for the northwest ball diamond.
The move comes after a number of organizations and volunteers made improvements to the town’s other two ball diamonds, including adding new shale, fencing, building a dugout for the northeast ball diamond and a storage shed.
“We are very excited,” said Laura Thiessen, IKBK board member and Irricana resident. “What a great opportunity to improve the northeast diamond in the same fashion we improved the northwest diamond last year. We have had a great response in regards to the dugout. Hopefully, this will allow IKBK to grow in the future.”
According to Thiessen, it took a couple of years for the much-needed improvements to be made to the town’s three ball diamonds.
“It was becoming a safety issue, because the… old dugout’s concrete was starting to chip and crack and we have kids playing there,” said Thiessen.
The improvements were funded through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada grant program, part of the federal Economic Action Plan, and through local organizations, such as the Lions Club.
The Rocky View East Recreation Board supported this request and formally requested council approve the funding. The ball diamond dugout will provide safety and sun protection for the players.
“The Irricana ball diamond is a social and recreational hub for the community,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown. “The IKBK Minor Ball Association members have spent a significant amount of their time and effort improving the ball diamond, and we are pleased to support their hard work to better the recreational opportunities for residents.”
