Demolition of Memorial Field’s historic grandstands saddens Moose Jaw’s mayor

Mayor Clive Tolley has fond memories of playing fastball at Memorial Field, and while he’s sad the grandstands must be demolished, he’s grateful that the diamond will continue to operate.

During its recent regular meeting, city council voted to demolish the aging seats and replace them with a sound booth, maintenance shed, storage shed and electrical/irrigation utility building, while other upgrades from 2024 to 2026 will include replacing the players’ dugouts, enhancing the field lighting, replacing all exterior fencing and installing protective netting in right field.

Furthermore, the city will install a large wood fence at the entrance to match the park’s historical façade and bring in two aluminum bleachers from the Yara Centre’s outdoor soccer fields for spectator seating. 

In a media scrum afterward, reporters jokingly asked the mayor whether he would have preferred to see the outfield fence moved back 15 feet — as another option suggested — to preserve his single-season record of 15 home runs.

Tolley — who played 25 years — replied that it was his brother who was the “slugger” and who had the home run record. Meanwhile, he was a line-drive hitter whose hits would have been home runs in other parks but slammed into Memorial Field’s extended fence. However, pop-ups usually drifted over the short fence in left field for home runs.

“… it was built in 1946 by the veterans as a memorial to the veterans, and I don’t think we should change it. I think it should stay,” the mayor continued. “It’s a very unique and iconic park and we’ve been able to hold a lot of important events there without having to change the (field) dimensions … .”

The Moose Jaw Ladies Slo-Pitch has done a great job of maintaining the venue since 2018, while the league executive wants the city to leave the Lyle Helland Diamond as it is because members don’t want to miss a season, Tolley said.

Moreover, Moose Jaw only has two men’s fastball teams remaining; most of them are nearing master’s age, and they don’t want to miss a season either.

“If you lose one year, you lose momentum. And once that’s done, it’s done,” the mayor remarked, noting there used to be 14 men’s teams in two seven-team divisions.

A councillor mentioned during council’s discussion that Moose Jaw could attract the men’s world fastball championships if the diamond were enlarged for an extra $44,000, but Tolley pointed out that Prince Albert and Saskatoon are the hotbeds of fastpitch in Saskatchewan and have the venues, players and fans to host such a tournament.

Meanwhile, spending an extra $44,000 would be irresponsible, and the city must “be careful with every dollar” because it faces significant infrastructure deficits with its streets, sidewalks, and drainage, he continued.

The mayor said he wanted to see Memorial Field’s front façade and mural kept since he loves that venue and its history. He noted that decades ago, players would change there and shower afterward, while a concession would feed players and fans. However, he realizes that times change and that period won’t be returning.

“… maybe we can have our local mural artist, Carly Jaye (Smith), do a new mural, and perhaps we can take some pictures of what’s there now and try and replicate that in a new mural in the future,” Tolley added.

The mayor acknowledged that it would be more expensive to demolish the grandstands than rebuild them as is, a fact the city has faced whenever it has demolished structures during the past few years. One reason is the contamination with hazardous materials, while another is that the city must deposit this material at the dump.

“We’re currently trying to figure out where our new landfill is going to go because we’re filling it up with buildings that have to be torn down,” Tolley added. “It’s all part and parcel of what the City of Moose Jaw is facing … .”