Latest news with #ShaneTaylor
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Cambridge council steps up to the plate, foots $3 million bill for ball diamond upgrades
The city of Cambridge is playing ball – covering the cost of accessibility upgrades at the Kin 1 Ball Diamond at Riverside Park. CTV's Alexandra Holyk reports. The city of Cambridge is playing ball – covering the cost of accessibility upgrades at the Kin 1 Ball Diamond at Riverside Park. CTV's Alexandra Holyk reports. The city of Cambridge is playing ball – covering the cost of accessibility upgrades at the Kin 1 Ball Diamond at Riverside Park. On Tuesday, council voted in favour of fully funding the $3 million project with debt. Initially, it was expected that a grant from the Jays Care Foundation would cover around half the cost, however, the city failed to secure funding. 'They did encourage us to apply again this year because we will be closer to construction and/or in construction at the time,' said Placemaking Capital Projects recreation manager Shane Taylor in the meeting. Instead, the city will have to borrow money to complete the project, enacting the debt by-law in the process. 'The $3,025,000 equates to approximately $3,823,000,' noted the city's acting chief financial officer, Sheena Pawliwec. 'That's over a 10-year term assuming an average annual interest rate of about 4.5 per cent.' The ball diamond is often used by Buddy League, a growing adaptive baseball program that's been advocating for change. 'A lot of athletes do come here in their wheelchairs,' said Monica Small, whose son plays in the league. 'There is not a clear path, it's actually gravel. And so a lot of the wheelchairs will get stuck.' The upgrades would see new pathways, better bleachers, and artificial turf infield, along with accessible dugouts and bathrooms. 'Making sure that it is fully accessible and fully inclusive is really, really valuable and really most important for ensuring that everybody can get off the sidelines and into the game,' Cam Linwood, league co-ordinator for Buddy League, said in an interview with CTV News. As for additional funding, Taylor said the city is working on it. 'We don't have anything firmly locked up at the moment but we have been having some conversations and those conversations do seem to be going positively,' he said in the meeting, adding staff would be applying for another round of grant funding. The city of Cambridge has also launched a fundraising campaign encouraging private donations from residents, groups and businesses. Small urged anyone interested in donating to come and see what Buddy League is all about. 'Hang out with us. Just spend some time with us. I'm telling you, you'll fall in love with the sport. You're going to fall in love with the athletes, and you're going to fall in love with this community. 'Work to make the washrooms accessible is expected to start soon. Field improvements could begin after the end of this baseball season and be finished by summer 2026. With files from CTV's Krista Simpson
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Multiple fires' at former school over weekend
Multiple fires have been extinguished at a former secondary school in Halifax over the weekend. Buildings at the former St Catherine's Catholic High School on Holdsworth Road, Holmfield, have been alight a number of times, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said, with no injuries reported. Five fire engines were sent to the most recent fire on Sunday in the empty buildings, it added. The former school, which closed in 2013, was later used as a film set for Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge. Councillor Shane Taylor, of Calderdale Council, said the latest fire forced a road closure between Shay Lane and Moor Bottom Road. Posting on social media, the councillor warned local residents they may experience a loss in water supplies while fire crews used road hydrants. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Multiple fires at ex-Halifax school over weekend, fire service says
Multiple fires have been extinguished at a former secondary school in Halifax over the weekend. Buildings at the former St Catherine's Catholic High School on Holdsworth Road, Holmfield, have been alight a number of times, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said, with no injuries fire engines were sent to the most recent fire on Sunday in the empty buildings, it former school, which closed in 2013, was later used as a film set for Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge. Councillor Shane Taylor, of Calderdale Council, said the latest fire forced a road closure between Shay Lane and Moor Bottom on social media, the councillor warned local residents they may experience a loss in water supplies while fire crews used road hydrants. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
