THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association is hoping to make a bid to host the 2024 Women’s World Cup.
In a presentation to Thunder Bay's city council on Monday, the association asked the city to fund upgrades to both the Port Arthur Stadium and Baseball Central to make that dream a reality.
The 2024 bid will cost TBIBA a $35,000 deposit, but past president Larry Hebert assured council the organization has that covered.
He said action is needed on the city's part to bring the two baseball venues up to code.
“We are not expecting anything from this Council other than we want to make sure that changes to the physical structure of the stadium, part of the Port Arthur Stadium, get done in order to accommodate us,” he said.
“Because [Baseball USA and Baseball Canada] said if you don't do that, you'll not hold any further tournaments from Baseball Canada or Baseball USA until those things get changed.”
Hebert reported the fields are in good shape, but some stands are not up to code due to missing kick-boards under seats, which are intended to prevent people from accidentally falling through the stands.
He also pointed to issues including leaking at the Port Arthur Stadium.
Funding has already been secured to have Port Arthur Stadium ready in 2023 for the Border Cats, said city manager Norm Gale.
However, he said meeting the standards for the women’s world cup would require a “substantial effort”.
"There is dialogue between us and [TBIBA], they have sent us a report... detailing their concerns and their findings about Port Arthur Stadium,” he said.
Gale says the information provided will be available for the next council to be elected on Oct. 24, when they develop their strategic plan.
“The next council may or may not accept what I bring or what I recommend, and that’s fair ball,” he said. “But I'll be bringing it, and Port Arthur Stadium will be in on that along with other athletic facilities, along with Fort William Stadium, Fort William Gardens, and a potential replacement for Fort William Gardens, not to mention, multi-use indoor turf.“
