BASEBALL. Drummondville baseball fans could eventually encourage their favorites in a new infrastructure inspired by the Léo-Asselin stadium in Acton Vale. At least this is the wish of stakeholders in the field, who invite mayoral candidates to vote on this project as part of the current municipal election campaign.
Coming back to the charge in the case of the renovation of the Jacques-Desautels stadium, the Drummondville baseball community reiterates the urgency of modernizing these facilities, which have become obsolete and have suffered damage over the years. Being the spokesperson for this group, the president of Brock, Mathieu Audet, proposes a project estimated between 2 and 4 million dollars based on the model of the municipal stadium of Acton Vale.
Renovated in 2015 at a cost of $ 1.1 million, the Léo-Asselin stadium can accommodate around 700 spectators. This project was carried out in two distinct stages, one focusing on the construction of the building and the platforms and the other on the playing surface. The work began in the fall of 2014, the day after the last one. part of the Beavers, and resumed the following spring to be finalized in June. The Quebec Major League Baseball (LBMQ) team therefore had to start its season on the road.
“This is the kind of project we would see, but the costs should be higher given the rise in the price of raw materials in the construction world. As our budget is approximately 13 times higher than that of Acton Vale, we can invest a little more in this project, in order to ensure the sustainability of the building, ”explained Mathieu Audet, who is also involved in baseball. minor and regional school, in particular through Baseball Drummond, Baseball Center-du-Québec and the Voltigeurs program at Cégep de Drummondville.
According to Brock’s proposal, this project would be divided into three phases. At a cost of two to three million dollars, the first phase would allow the construction of a new complex and the installation of bleachers that can accommodate about 800 spectators. The second stage (approximately $ 500,000) would focus on the playing surface while the third phase (approximately $ 400,000) would concern the surroundings of the stadium, including the scoreboard, parking and the sustainable mobility aspect.
Shortly before the official start of the electoral campaign, Mathieu Audet’s group met with outgoing mayor Alain Carrier at the rue Marchand stadium to reiterate the importance of this issue. Wishing to see this project and that of a complex of four fields for minor baseball be included in the three-year capital plan as of the next budget period, the president of the Brock is now asking candidates for mayor to vote on this subject.
“We are talking about a project that would cost between 2 and 4 million dollars. Grant programs are also available. Now, are the candidates in favor of such a project? And if so, what timeline do they see? We are waiting for them to position themselves, ”said Mathieu Audet, who has often challenged municipal officials on this subject in recent months.
Recalling that around 1000 people practice this sport or one of its derivatives in the region, the baseball man also raised the issue of sports tourism. In addition to the Brock, the Saint-Fred, the Olympiques, the Riverains and the Voltigeurs, the Jacques-Desautels stadium could eventually serve as the home of a Quebec elite junior baseball league team if this project materializes.
“We think it’s baseball’s turn to be a priority in sports infrastructure investments in Drummondville,” insisted the former mayoral candidate, who now occupies the position of general manager of the City of Nicolet.
Recall that in 2018, the former mayor Alexandre Cusson committed to modernizing the Jacques-Desautels stadium. This year, Alain Carrier, Stéphanie Lacoste and Othman Bouattour covet the town hall of Drummondville.
The municipal elections will take place on November 7. Until then, a debate bringing together the candidates for mayor of Drummondville should be held on October 19.