New baseball hub and pickle ball courts proposed to replace a now-gone Go Kart track at Centennial Park.
A new baseball hub and pickle ball courts are being proposed among the many changes upcoming for Centennial Park.
Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Holyday in a letter asked the Infrastructure and Environment Committee at its February 20 meeting to consider the baseball and pickle ball amenities to fill the vacancy of a Mini Indy amusement complex that ceased operations late last year.
“The former Mini Indy amusement complex was privately operated for profit, and contained a go-kart track, beach volleyball, and batting cages where visitors, for a fee, could take swings at pitches delivered by a machine,” Holyday told the Committee.
A new water park, pathway and lighting are among the amenities planned for the updated Centennial Park.
Dozens of workers were laid off and a petition with more than 1,000 signatures were collected to prevent the closure of the Mini Indy, which had been there for decades.
Holyday said park users and residents wanted their batting cages back at the park.
“Public input, including feedback at the consultation in January 2024 for the next phase of park improvements, indicated an interest in seeing the batting cages portion of the Mini Indy amusement complex return to the park,” the Committee was told.
New furniture, pathways, lighting and cricket pitches are planned for Toronto’s second largest park.
“The batting cages were an enjoyable compliment to baseball and softball players, and the former location was a unique opportunity within the region to practice batting,” Holyday wrote.
The matter will be considered by City Council on March 20 and is subject to actions by the Committee.
City politicians have been working for years to update the beautiful park and make it more inclusive for all.
His motion requests that staff explore the technical and business potential of reintroducing an amusement type batting cage to the baseball hub within the park.
The removal of the Molson Indy and batting cages were part of a Centennial Park Master Plan ‘for complimentary and supporting amenities that ensure a successful user experience in both the short and long-term’ use of the park.
Also being added to the City’s second largest park is a new water play area, pathways, lighting, cricket pitches and park furniture.