The Hammond Stadium ball field will get almost half a million dollars in upgrades.

The federal government is giving a grant of almost $190,000 to upgrade the Hammond Stadium playing field. Added to this, the municipality will contribute $325,000 to the project.

The federal government’s investment of $187,500 will be used renovate the turf grass areas and installing new dugouts and permanent outfield fencing. The field will also be re-oriented to a northwest configuration to minimize the impact of direct sunlight on players.

“By making these investments in local infrastructure, we are helping boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for Canadians,” said member of Parliament Randy Kamp.

“Long-time residents know that the Hammond Stadium was the hub of social life in this historic neighbourhood,” said Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin. “The owners of Hammond Mill would recruit employees from around the continent to ensure that they fielded a competitive baseball team. In 1924 the Hammond Mill team were the B.C. provincial champions. Here we are 90 years after that championship honouring the legacy of those players and this wonderful neighbourhood. Maple Ridge will be adding $325,000 to this funding from the government of Canada to create a facility that will ensure that the next generation of youth in Maple Ridge have a chance to follow their baseball dreams.”