1. Play Today…Play Tomorrow
Ghesquiere Field Improvement Plan Community Meeting
March 29, 2017

2. Meeting Agenda Welcome and Introductions GPWSLL Background
Current State of Ghesquiere Fields (and Other Little League Fields)
Play Today…Play Tomorrow Vision and Plans
GPWSLL Financing
Q & A

3. GPWSLL Background

4. Things Started with Baseball…
The Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores Little League (GPWSLL) was founded with a key mission  instill the love of play in children by teaching them the fundamentals.
When the league was founded in 1954, 300 boys formed 16 teams to play baseball. Today, we have more than 400 children and youth participating annually in baseball and softball.
In 1954, games were played on 2 fields and now we host both baseball and softball practices, games and tournaments in 4 different locations, totaling 10 fields.
The mission of the Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores Little League is to instill the love of play in children by teaching them the fundamentals of baseball and softball. We serve children, ages 5 to 17, who reside or attend school in the Cities of Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores.
When the League launched in 1954, 300 boys, ages 8-12 formed 16 teams to play baseball on two fields. We now host games and practices in four different locations, totaling 10 fields, through partnerships with our local governments and school district.
Children that participate in GPWSLL learn the fundamentals of the game, have fun, learn teamwork, engage in physical activity, build character, become leaders, and make memories and friendships that last a lifetime.
Hundreds of volunteers make the League possible - from serving on the Board, coaching teams, volunteering at the concession stand, and planning fundraisers - they ensure that we have a successful season year after year.

5. …And Now Includes Softball
In 2014, the Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods Little League softball program was chartered.
In Year 1, 82 girls joined and this past year, a total of 102 girls participated. We anticipate continued growth and seeing the annual participation rate get to 150+ via the #GirlPower program.
The GPWSLL Board is committed to providing ongoing leadership and resources to ensure the softball league’s success.
all-star teams, in 1979 and 2013, competed at Williamsport. Last year, our 12u tournament team was the runner up in the Michigan state tournament. Our Senior tournament team also played in the state tournament.
For years, our community has been without a multi-age, developmental and competitive softball program.
In 2014, GPWSLL responded to the needs of the community and launched our first-ever softball program, partnering with Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, City and Park.
In its initial year, 82 girls joined. This past year, a total of 102 girls signed up to play instructional, minors and majors leagues programs.
Each level was competitive in Little League tournaments. The Juniors played at the Michigan state tournament.
It is important to GPWSLL that girls in our community have ample opportunities to pursue and participate in team sports. We anticipate that our Softball League will continue to grow and are committed to providing leadership and resources to ensure its success. Four members of the GPWSLL Board (out of 20) represent the Softball League. GPWSLL shares the fields among both the softball and baseball programs. The budget has grown to include the expenses for helping to run the Softball League. All GPWSLL Board decisions reflect both the needs of the baseball and softball programs. Fundraising efforts are focused on enhancing both programs.

6. Current State of Ghesquiere Fields (and other Little League Fields)

7. Ghesquiere Fields
In 1954, the City of Grosse Pointe Woods didn’t have a field in which to play baseball. City officials worked with the GPWSLL Board to identify land to construct fields. The site eventually became known as the Alois A. Ghesquiere Memorial Park.
GPWSLL uses four of five diamonds for baseball and softball.
Ghesquiere Park is a hub of activity for the community between April and July each year.

8. Current State of Ghesquiere Fields
The baseball complex has experienced a significant decline in its structures, which need to be either replaced, updated or reconfigured.
Use of the complex has doubled as a result of hosting softball practices and games, as well as various tournaments.
We are also in need of providing new and additional fencing to ensure our players and spectators are protected from injuries  particularly in the dugouts.
Significant rainfall over the last several seasons, resulting in flooding in all of our outfields due to years of poor drainage, has caused multiple days of postponements of games and practices.
Over the years, Ghesquiere has experienced significant decline in its structures, which need to be either replaced, updated or reconfigured. In addition, since 2014, our use of the park has doubled by also hosting softball practices and games. This growth has placed additional strain on the fields and structures (bleachers, dugouts, etc.). It also requires expanded storage and bathrooms.
We’ve also experienced significant rainfall over the last several seasons, resulting in flooding in all of our outfields, causing multiple days of postponements of games and practices. We are also in need of providing new and additional fencing to ensure our players are protected from injuries (especially in the dugouts).

9. Play Today…Play Tomorrow
Vision and Plans

10. Play Today…Play Tomorrow Vision
Despite the anticipated growth in softball there are challenges  participation in the baseball program is declining due to changes in community demographics and competition with other sports/activities.
Play Today…Play Tomorrow is a campaign to vastly improve the Ghesquiere Park complex to ensure the long-term sustainability of our community’s baseball and softball programs.
The campaign has multiple components  improve the batting cages, the four fields and the concession stand.
An updated and improved ballpark should serve as a strong recruitment strategy for maintaining and increasing participation. It will keep our community strong and allow us to compete with other Grosse Pointes that are making improvements to their baseball facilities.
542 participated in 2014 to 376 in 2016.
Play Today Play Tomorrow is a campaign to vastly improve Ghesquiere Park to ensure the long-term sustainability of our baseball and softball programs. The campaign has multiple components to improve our batting cages, the four fields, and improvement and expansion of the concession stand to include bathrooms and storage.
Last year, the League improved the batting cages with new pitching machines, interior and exterior fencing, netting, four jockboxes (mats used by the hitters to stand in the cages), backstop netting, 12 tons of slag, and four home plates.

11. Present Day Field #1

12. A New Vision for Field #1

13. A New Vision for Field #1

14. Summary of GPWSLL Capital Improvement Plans
Work Already Completed
Ghesquiere Dugouts/ Bleachers
Ghesquiere Field Updates
Ghesquiere Field Fencing
Ghesquiere Concession Stand/Storage
Ghesquiere Lighting
Ghesquiere Fields  Dugout updates and batting cages
Monteith Fields  Fencing, dugouts, field cleanup and updates
Fencing safety upgrades
Brick the sides of the dugouts
Renovate the roof on each dugout
Lower maintenance bleachers at each diamond
Field 3 slated for conversion to a softball diamond
Grade and update drainage in outfields on all fields
Field perimeter fencing updates
Backstop fencing updates /refurbishment
Complete renovation and expansion of existing building
Add lighting on Field 1
Target
$500,000
$65,000
$125,000
$75,000
$175,000
$60,000
For one of our fields we will skin the infield, providing a more appropriate field for our softball players. We believe that dedicating a field that specifically meets softball playing needs will attract more girls to the sport and grow our program.
GPWSLL would like to extend the little league experience by giving children the opportunity to play night games - on special occasions. Currently, our fields lack lighting to allow for nighttime games. By installing lights on one of the fields, we would schedule occasional night games for families to enjoy the game under the lights.

15. Prepared and Committed…
GPWSLL Financing Efforts for the Project
Prepared and Committed…

16. GPWSLL Financing Efforts for the Project
Cumulative planning and efforts at the GPWSLL Board level has led to significant funds set-aside for capital improvements – even after entirely self-financed work already completed on Ghesquiere & Monteith.
100% commitment to contribution participation from individual GPWSLL board members.
GPWSLL minimum financial commitment
$95,000
3 grant applications have been submitted thus far (totaling $60,000)
High probability of $40,000 being awarded
Funds committed prior to fundraising
$95,000-$135,000
Play Today Play Tomorrow is a campaign to vastly improve Ghesquiere Park to ensure the long-term sustainability of our baseball and softball programs. The campaign has multiple components to improve our batting cages, the four fields, and improvement and expansion of the concession stand to include bathrooms and storage.
Last year, the League improved the batting cages with new pitching machines, interior and exterior fencing, netting, four jockboxes (mats used by the hitters to stand in the cages), backstop netting, 12 tons of slag, and four home plates.

17. Q&A

18. Thank you for your time and support!
The planned project impacts our entire community, so let us know if you have interest in helping out. Volunteers are critical to ensuring the league’s mission is being fulfilled.
Help us raise awareness in the community about the league’s plan.
Be on the lookout for more information and details on the work being planned and our fundraising activities.
If you have other questions, please reach out to any league board member, though particularly Kurt Barr, Annemarie Harris, Quinn Smith or Tim Veitengruber.