A pair of local causes have their eyes set on a huge monetary prize… but it is going to take some online voting to snag it.
The Wallaceburg Splash Pad committee and the Dresden Community Development Association (new baseball diamond) are entered into the Aviva Community Fund grant contest, which will award one project $100,000.
The five ideas that receive the most votes become finalists and will be presented before a panel of Aviva judges to determine who wins the grand prize.
All entries who become finalists will win at least $5,000 towards their project.
The Dresden Community Development Association is hoping to earmark the funds towards phase four of their on-going sports field project, which would install a new baseball diamond at the back of the Lambton-Kent Composite School campus.
“Dresden is a hub for baseball programming,” reads the description on the Aviva website. “The Minor Baseball Association supports eight organized teams comprised of players from centers throughout Lambton-Kent. These players, for practice and play purposes, are fully utilizing the existing municipal diamonds, and there exists a demand for additional programming.”
“Construction of a new baseball diamond would allow the local baseball association to expand their programming to include a much needed and wanted girls’ softball program, and would also allow for the expansion of the Slo-Pitch League within our community. All totaled, upward of 15 teams will be competing for the available diamond space during the upcoming season. Given its location, this new diamond would also enhance both the curricular and extra-curricular opportunities available to students in the Lambton-Kent family of schools. Baseball and softball activities could be incorporated in the Physical Education program, and students could participate in inter-school extra-curricular play.”
The Wallaceburg Splash Pad committee says the splash pad will enable children and families of all abilities and backgrounds to engage in positive social interactions.
“And enhance the physical activity of the youth in our community in a safe, fun and stimulating environment,” reads the idea description on the Aviva website. “With a youth population of approximately 1,600, and a large amount of low-income households, Wallaceburg is in need of a no-cost form of recreation.”
“Splash pads are social, community-building spaces which are cross-generational; meaning people of all ages (grandparents, parents and kids) can come and enjoy the social interactions. Our splash pad will provide users with a rich sensory experience through different types of water features, and will encourage the development of gross motor skills, through running, jumping, climbing and playing.”
Voting takes place starting on Tuesday, October 6 at 12 p.m. and running until 4 p.m. on October 23.
People can vote online once a day.
Here is a link to the Wallaceburg Splash Pad page.
Here is a link to the Lambton-Kent Community Baseball Diamond page.
