New bleachers to preserve ballpark charm
Zak Hayward has received council support for his plea to maintain the character of Gowan Park by rethinking the replacement of the bleachers.
When Hayward heard that the bleachers were slated to be demolished and replaced with low-profile aluminum-style bleachers, he launched a petition and began working toward a campaign to sway the powers that be. The petition he started in July now has more than 500 signatures.
During a delegation to council Monday, Hayward talked about the character of local ball parks. Of Creemore, he said, “You roll up to the park for a doubleheader on a Saturday and the first thing you see pulling up to the diamond are those bleachers. Standing tall and proud holding memories and history as you sit on them watching the baseball games. Friends, families and fans of the wonderful game of baseball gather on those bleachers to watch as all age groups play the children’s game. On hot days you can gather underneath them to steal a little bit of shade while still being able to watch and cheer.”
Born into a baseball family, Hayward has a lot of fond memories of Gowan Park and the bleachers made of cinder block and wood that give the ballpark a small town feel.
“I’m not just asking you to save a few wooden bleachers, I’m asking you to help preserve the heart of our ball park,” said Hayward. “Gowan Park isn’t just a field; it’s a place where generations have come together, where memories have been made, and where traditions continue to grow. I believe we owe it to the people who built this town, to those who fill the stands today, and to the future players and fans who deserve to experience the same magic that shaped my love for this game.”
Although he set out to see the bleachers restored, he is happy with a plan to build new ones that maintain the character of the ones currently in use.
After meeting with the township’s engineers, Hayward said it became apparent that the bleachers could not be modified and that new construction was required.
Gord Zeggil, a local builder who has been quite impressed with Hayward’s initiative, vowed to support the project.
The estimated price tag for the redesigned bleachers is $123,200, well above the $10,000 originally budgeted. Council has agreed to redirect the initial budget amount to the project, with the remaining balance of approximately $115,000 to be funded through community fundraising by volunteers and stakeholders.
Zeggil told council he is willing to help build and secure funds for the project, giving his own time and soliciting in-kind donations.
“The replacement of the Gowan Park baseball grandstand represents a well-supported, community-driven project with engineering, financial, and administrative support already aligning into place. The shared goal is a safe, visually appealing, and historically respectful structure that meets modern standards and enhances the spectator experience for years to come,” reported Terry Vachon, director of parks and recreation. “Council’s continued support – both financially and administratively – will be critical to the project’s timely and successful completion.”
He said local trades and suppliers have already offered materials, labour, and time, helping to reduce project costs but it has not been determined if this project will be built by community volunteers or procured through a contractor. A follow-up report will be brought back to council with a recommendation if the proposal is for a community volunteer build.
Image: A rendering of the approved bleachers for Gowan Park.
