Newcastle sees upgrades to ball diamonds, beach, rink
As part of his Parks and Rec 2024 Master Plan, Town of Drumheller Manager of Recreation, Arts and Culture, Rick Ladouceur has begun moving forward with his main priority of safeguarding the ball diamonds in Newcastle.
“The ball diamonds need to be like every other ball diamond,” Ladouceur previously told the Mail, “safety has to come first and it’s simple things… easy fixes that we can do.”
So far, some of those easy fixes that have been completed are the new posts and shale added, and, for enhanced safety, yellow fence capping around all the diamonds. New backstops and portable mounds have also been added, and repairs have been done to the outfield on diamond #3. New dugouts for diamonds #1 and #2 are still being finished, and the bleachers are being sandblasted and repainted.
Other projects are also getting underway in Newcastle, all of which have been laid out in Ladouceur’s Master Plan. The beach is being dragged and leveled. There are certain regulations that must be met in order for the government to grant permission for such a project in close proximity to a waterway. A 150 ft by 150 ft area of new sand is being added, as per the requirements outlined in a letter from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.
“For the beach, yes it’ll cost money, but it’ll be wonderful to see that more developed. There’s history behind it. At one time it was the place to be, people went there all the time,” explains Ladouceur.
Shading areas and picnic tables are also being introduced to the upgraded Newcastle Beach area. After the $100,000 renovation is completed, hopefully, it will be the place to be again for residents and visitors during the upcoming and anticipated hot/dry summer.
Newcastle Beach's outdoor skating rink, which has fallen into dissaray in recent years, will also be getting a refurbish, upgrade and revamp. The surface is going to be fully restored and painted. Pickleball and basketball courts are being added, creating a year round, multi use recreational area. The old skate shack is being restored into an equipment storage shed for the public to rent sports equipment with their credit cards. This area will be under surveillance as it will be set up as a pay and unlock type access system.
Future users of the area's pets will not be left out as the dog park will see some life brought to it. There are plans to extend it, creating more room for dogs to play around and use the new fun obstacle courses and agility equipment being installed for them. There will also be poop disposal areas and picnic tables for owners to relax while their pets socialize and tire themselves out.
The entire budget approved by Council for the projects layed out in Ladouceur’s Parks and Rec 2024 Master Plan is $180,000, and everything is right on budget.
Amanda Ragsdale, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Drumheller Mail
