A $5,000 microgrant from the St. Johnsbury Revitalization Fund, paired with $6,800 raised by the community, has paid for nine new bleachers at St. Johnsbury Baseball and Softball's Legion and Leonard Fields. The installation was completed in November 2023.
The St. Johnsbury Revitalization Fund was created in 2023 using $1.6 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act money awarded to the town. Grants ranged from microgrants up to $5,000 to transformational grants as large as $200,000, with extra weight given to projects that leveraged additional contributions.
Board member Deb Priest said the bleachers are one of several recent improvements. Last year the softball field at Leonard was redone at a cost of $10,000, with donated materials and equipment. The organization now hopes to similarly renovate the Legion Little League field, which Priest described as "sinking." That project faces added challenges because the field was built on top of an old Fairbanks industrial site. "When we had to replace the waterline, we found an engine," Priest said.
Other needs include repairing the Babe Ruth fence after recent flood damage and completely replacing the Little League fence, which Priest said has been there about 45 years. A concession stand upgrade is a secondary priority. "The fields come first. It's where the kids play, and we want to make them feel safe," Priest said.
The organization is also planning for its 75th anniversary next year. Priest said planning will begin this fall and will include custom gear, alumni participation, and a look at the history of St. Johnsbury baseball. "It will be a big hurrah," she said.
Town Manager Chad Whiteheard said the town was "happy to provide funding to St. Johnsbury Baseball and Softball for this project. The organization had been an important part of the community for as long as I can remember, and we are excited to see it continue to serve St. Johnsbury families into the future."
Originally reported by Caledonian Record.
Photo: Pixabay via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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