Montague High student wins scholarship to attend Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific
Sarah Haberl, a Grade 11 student at Montague Regional High School, is the winner of the 2008 Pearson College Scholarship for Prince Edward Island.
This prestigious award covers full tuition and residence for two years of study at the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in British Columbia. The selection committee for the P.E.I. scholarship was comprised of UPEI's Tamara Leary, acting director of Student Services; student counsellor Rose Ellen Ghiz; and assistant registrar Darcy McCardle.
A memorial to the late Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lester B. Pearson, the college is located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean at Pender Bay on Vancouver Island. One of 11 United World colleges around the world, it promotes the cause of international understanding by creating an environment in which students from many countries and cultures come together to study and to serve the community. Each year, 200 students from over 80 countries, including representatives from each Canadian province and territory, attend Pearson College.
Haberl, the 16-year-old daughter of Iris Solomon from High Bank, P.E.I., and Franz Haberl of Montreal, Quebec, has wanted to attend Pearson College since she first heard about it in grade seven.
'I am so excited to go and start this new chapter in my life! I hope to make some great new friends and experience different cultures. All my life I have wanted to travel and work with impoverished people, trying to improve their lives and situations. This scholarship gives me just that opportunity. I want to do something in international relations or law in the future, so having Pearson College as part of my background will be an amazing head start.'
The demanding curriculum challenges the students to excel and leads to the completion of the international baccalaureate. Over the two years, students complete their last year of high school, and may earn credits toward their first year of university. In addition to the rigorous academic program, they are extensively involved in physical activities, the fine arts, social services and community projects.
This year, six exceptional candidates were interviewed for the one scholarship available.
'Nominating one candidate for the scholarship was a challenge because all six were motivated, academically strong and well-rounded individuals,' says Leary, chair of the selection committee. 'Sarah is very involved in her community, an athlete and a stellar student at MRHS. We are delighted that Pearson accepted our committee's recommendation and are confident that Sarah will be an excellent ambassador for P.E.I.'
Dean of Law from University of Western Ontario to discuss future of legal profession on June 26
The event, which is open to the public, will take place in the new School of Business lecture theatre 242.
Holloway’s presentation is entitled “The Canadian Lawyer in the Twenty-first Century.” He will discuss the challenges that post-Cold War social and market forces and the information technology revolution have presented to members of the Canadian legal profession, and the need for them to modernize.
“It is clear that there will always be a need for lawyers in Canada,” says Holloway. “But if the legal profession is to retain its stature among the learned professions, Canada's lawyers will have to be willing to undergo a concerted project of modernization – and to have a fundamental shift in outlook. In a word, the Canadian lawyer in the twenty-first century will have to be a very different person from his or her counterpart in the twentieth. And if it is to succeed, this project will have to involve a genuine partnership between Canada’s law schools and the practicing arm of the profession.”
A native of the Maritime provinces, Holloway has served as Dean of Law at the University of Western Ontario since 2000. Prior to that, he was Associate Dean at the Australian National University. Over the years, he has also been a Visitor at Cambridge, the National University of Singapore, the University of Hong Kong, NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, and the universities of Delhi and Calcutta.
He is a graduate of Dalhousie Law School, the University of California at Berkeley and the Australian National University. He is a member of the bars of Nova Scotia and Ontario, and, before joining academia, he spent several years in private practice with a large firm in Halifax. In 2004, he was elected to membership in the American Law Institute.
The Chief Justice Thane A. Campbell Lectureship in Law is co-sponsored by UPEI and the Law Foundation of Prince Edward Island. In 1991 the Law Foundation of Prince Edward Island created an endowment at UPEI to provide a stimulating series of lectures in honor of Chief Justice Thane A. Campbell, former premier of PEI and first chancellor of UPEI.
Following the speech, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion. There is no charge, and refreshments will be served.
UPEI holds memorial celebration in honour of Dr. C.W.J. Eliot on June 22
Dr. Eliot served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island from 1985 to 1995, and was named President Emeritus in 1996. He was the third person to serve as president since UPEI was created in 1969. He passed away on May 20, 2008.
Bert Tersteeg, a close friend of Dr. Eliot and retired professor of music at UPEI, is arranging the music for the celebration. The music will be performed by Bert Tersteeg and Rick Tersteeg (cello), Qeturah Tersteeg and Frances Gray (piano), and Basil Phillips and Faith Dockendorf (violins). Speakers will be friends and former colleagues of Dr. Eliot: Dr. E. Lawson Drake, Joseph Revell, Myron Turner and Dr. Jack Whytock. President Wade MacLauchlan will be the master of ceremonies for the celebration.
All are welcome to attend the memorial celebration. A reception will be held in the Main Building Faculty Lounge after the celebration.
UPEI's Tourism Research Centre releases profile of visitors based on entry and exit points
"The results of this report were quite surprising," says Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC. "We expected differences in terms of the regions visited on PEI for those using the ferry versus the bridge-or both-but were more surprised by the differences in spending and length of stay."
Some of the results were expected, such as visitors from Nova Scotia being the most frequent users of the ferry, and almost the only visitors who use the ferry to both enter and exit PEI. In addition, 96 per cent of the visitors from New Brunswick travelling to PEI by vehicle use the Confederation Bridge to both enter and exit PEI.
"However, it is surprising that about 21 per cent of the total travel parties use one method to enter PEI and the other to exit," explained Dr. Hennessey. "This is a sign of a large number of touring parties, and they are primarily from Ontario, the western provinces, international countries, and from states outside the New England area. In addition, a surprisingly high 21 per cent of visitors from Nova Scotia use one method to enter PEI, the other to exit. It is also somewhat surprising that visitors using only the bridge to enter and exit PEI stay an average of 5.5 nights on PEI, while those using the ferry only or a mixture only stay an average of about 3.4 nights. This is a very large difference."
Average party size was very similar across the three groups at about three people per travel party; however, average expenditure per person per night differed sharply. Those using the bridge only spent about $62 per person per night, whereas those using the ferry at least one way spent about $82 per person per night. This is not because of the fare differences between the ferry and bridge, as this figure was excluded when visitors reported their spending.
The report is the seventh in a series based on comprehensive data previously released in the report, "Overall Results of the 2007 Exit Survey." The data is for the main tourism season of June 27 to September 30, 2007, and was collected as visitors departed PEI at the Confederation Bridge, Charlottetown Airport, and Wood Islands Ferry (seasonally). For a list of all reports released by the TRC on Exit Survey results, please visit trc.upei.ca/exitsurvey. Three more reports based on main season results will be released over the next six weeks.
Further information about the report can be obtained from the Tourism Research Centre, School of Business, University of PEI, at (902) 566-6096 or trc@upei.ca.
Atlantic Veterinary College Opens $20 Million Research Complex
"This Government knows investments in science and innovation are critical to the long-term prosperity of all Canadians,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "The Atlantic Veterinary College Research Complex will bring new opportunities for traditional industries such as agriculture and fisheries, as well as for the emerging sectors of food technology and bioscience. This will create jobs right here on the island and the work accomplished at the Complex will establish Prince Edward Island as a clear leader in the field of research and development.”
The development of the Atlantic Veterinary College’s new research facility is part of an overall $45 million infrastructure project driven by a dramatic increase in demand for the College’s research and service expertise. Approximately $18 million in infrastructure funding was provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Additional funding for the Atlantic Veterinary College’s infrastructure project was provided by the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and private partners.
Research carried out by the Atlantic Veterinary College provides critical contributions to many sectors including agriculture, food safety, public health, aquaculture and aquatic health, companion animals, animal welfare, and population health.
"I am confident that the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, and the entire province will reap significant rewards from this important investment," said the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island. "This Research Complex will not only provide new opportunities for research and innovation in a variety of fields important to our local economy, it will serve to enhance the well-established reputation of the AVC and attract more students to the province. Our government is pleased to be a partner in this exciting expansion.”
The new research facility will house a number of the Atlantic Veterinary College’s specialized research centres including the Atlantic Centre for Bioactive Valuation, the Atlantic Centre for Comparative Biomedical Research, and the Atlantic Veterinary College’s Lobster Science Centre. The research complex will provide an additional 12,000 square feet (1,100 square meters) of research labs and space for an additional 30 graduate students. It will also include a Specific Pathogen Free holding facility–a $3 million research space built to the specifications of a Level 3 containment facility.
“Today’s opening propels the Atlantic Veterinary College and the entire Atlantic region forward in our ability to contribute to advances in animal health, human health, and comparative biomedical research,” said Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College. “We have the talent and the expertise to make significant contributions to society. We applaud our partners in recognizing our enormous potential and investing in the infrastructure needed to support our commitment to discovery and innovation.”
The Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is committed to excellence and innovation in education, research, and professional services. The college is known around the world for its outstanding educational programs, aggressive research agenda, and being home to more than a dozen specialized research centres that range from veterinary epidemiological research to aquatic health. The Atlantic Veterinary College's Veterinary Teaching Hospital is the only full service referral hospital in Atlantic Canada.
UPEI field hockey player named to national team
Sarah MacAulay, of the UPEI women's field hockey and hockey teams, has been named to the senior women's national field hockey team.MacAulay has been awarded a development card and will report for team training on July 3 with the rest of the national squad in British Columbia, the home base for the national team. The players will train until September 5, with a two-week break at the end of July.
She joins fellow Islander Katie Baker who has been a member of Team Canada for the past three seasons.
MacAulay just completed her third year with the Panthers. She is a former field hockey league rookie of the year and two-time field hockey league all-star. She was named to the CIS All Canadian team this past season.
She helped lead her team to three straight Atlantic titles and won the Mickey Place Award for women's hockey for the 2007-2008 season. She will be greatly missed by both Panther programs next season. Both teams are very proud of her great achievement and wish her all the best in this exciting endeavour!
Research partnership has potential to benefit human and animal health
Through this collaboration, UPEI and Ryerson University will develop new biomedical applications for Seno Medical’s technology called opto-acoustic imaging, with applications in animal and human health, including cancer detection and treatment monitoring.
"This is an outstanding three-way partnership, building on the cooperative relationship between UPEI and Ryerson University and on the opto-acoustic imaging strengths of Seno Medical Instruments," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "This could lead to real advances in medical technology, and training opportunities for students."
“This project is a great example of how our researchers propel ideas and innovations into the community, industry and marketplace,” says Dr. Alan Shepard, Provost and Vice-president, Academic, at Ryerson University. “We look forward to continued interactions between researchers at Ryerson and UPEI, and opportunities to expand our research and academic connections in other disciplines.”
Leading the project are Dr. William Whelan, Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Optics and a member of the physics department at UPEI, and Dr. Michael Kolios, Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Applications of Ultrasound with the physics department at Ryerson University.
Dr. Whelan and Dr. Kolios are long time collaborators and have jointly received funding from federal and provincial granting agencies for their work, including NSERC, CIHR, NCIC, CFI and ACOA. Their joint research programs focus on developing minimally invasive technologies that use light and sound, instead of surgery or radiation, to deliver, monitor and assess cancer treatments.
For this work, they are using the first-ever commercially available opto-acoustic small animal imaging device, created by Seno Medical, a cancer-focused company located in San Antonio, Texas. Funding in excess of $2 million was recently secured by Whelan and Kolios to carry out the research.
With opto-acoustic imaging, laser pulses are directed into tissues, and if tumors are present, they will absorb the light energy and convert this energy absorption into an acoustic wave, which is picked up by the transducers embedded in a probe, similar to those used by ultrasound. Seno’s team likes to say “ we make the tumors speak to us.” Seno’s technology will be used to provide clinicians with new cancer tools that are capable of detecting the hallmarks of cancer, angiogensis and oxygen saturation.
“We are so pleased that UPEI and Ryerson have purchased the first-ever commercially available opto-acoustic small animal imaging device,” says Janet Campbell, Chair and CEO of Seno Medical Instruments. “Individuals such as Dr. Whelan and Dr. Kolios are truly performing groundbreaking applications with our technology. This project is tremendously valuable to cancer researchers and cancer patients, and we are proud to be part of it.”
President Wade MacLauchlan named to Order of Canada
President Wade MacLauchlan was named a Member of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on Canada Day, July 1.
"It's an extra special way to celebrate Canada Day, and an honour that I consider to be shared with everyone at UPEI," says President MacLauchlan.
President MacLauchlan is recognized for 'his contributions to the study of law in Atlantic Canada and to the economic development of the province of Prince Edward Island, through his leadership and involvement with numerous academic, cultural and research organizations, including the University of Prince Edward Island.'
He was among 75 people named to the Order of Canada on July 1. The presentation of his insignia will take place at Rideau Hall in Ottawa at a later date.
Other people with UPEI connections who have been inducted into the Order of Canada include Regis Duffy, Ron Baker, C.W.J. Eliot, Francis W.P. Bolger, Ron Irving and Henry Purdy, and Chancellors Doris Anderson, Norman Webster, Gustave Gingras, David Macdonald Stewart and Gordon Bennett.
UPEI's Tourism Research Centre releases study on international visitors
“The Exit Survey was designed so results could be cross-analyzed to provide a depth of data for further analysis. With this in mind, we were able to isolate data collected from our international visitors,” explains Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC. “Although this small market, approximately 4.9 per cent of total visitors, does share some characteristics, we decided to divide this segment into three categories: European visitors, Japanese visitors, and other international visitors.”
International visitors, those from outside Canada and the US, were quite different from various segments of North American visitors. Japanese visitors, somewhat of a niche market for PEI, were much younger than other visitors, with almost half of them being between the ages of 18 and 34. European visitors have the highest earnings with almost 38 per cent making more than $125,000 per year. Almost half of other international visitors are retired?the highest rate among all visitors by origin.
“International visitors are spenders, with European and Japanese visitors spending around $86 per person per night and other international visitors spending $102 per person per night,” states Dr. Hennessey. “This is significantly higher than the North American average of $66 per person per night. However, it is unfortunate that this market is so small and diverse from a marketing standpoint. Although the entire segment is comparable in size to the New England market, this market is spread around the globe, so targeting them will be much more difficult and expensive. A marketing strategy that is very successful in even one European country may completely fail to entice residents from another European country.”
Other highlights of this report include:
• Approximately 60 per cent of international visitors were from Europe, 10 per cent from Japan, and 30 per cent from other offshore countries.
• Almost all Japanese visitors were on pleasure trips (99 per cent); this figure dropped to 86 per cent for visitors from Europe and to 79 per cent for visitors from other international origins.
• Japanese and European visitors were travelling on trips of just over two weeks in length (16 nights). Other international visitors were on month-long trips (31 nights).
• PEI was the main destination for 77 per cent of the travellers from Japan, but they stayed only 4.2 nights (25 per cent) on the Island. This was less than European visitors (5.0 nights) and only slightly more than visitors from other international origins (4.0 nights).
• International visitors from all markets of origin stayed in hotels, motels, resorts, B&Bs, or inns much more often than Canadian or American visitors; they spent between 42 and 66 per cent of their total nights in this type of accommodation.
• European visitors spent a leading 36 per cent of their nights in Anne’s Land and the remainder were distributed throughout the Island in ratios fairly similar to US visitors. These visitors spent at least one night in almost all regions of the Island at above-average rates, with the exception of Summerside. However, their stays tended to be relatively short.
• Japanese visitors spent a far-above-average 71 per cent of their nights in Charlottetown and the remaining 28 per cent in Anne’s Land. They did not spend their nights on PEI in other regions. Visitors from other international origins also spent a far-above-average 44 per cent of their nights in Charlottetown; however, they spent a market low 8 per cent of their nights in Anne’s Land.
• As expected, Japanese visitors had very high participation rates for Anne of Green Gables- related attractions and activities: 85 per cent visited Anne attractions. In addition, 66 per cent attended live theatre and shopped for souvenirs, while 31 per cent visited Canada’s birthplace attractions. These were all market highs.
• Visitors from all three international markets of origin were very high spenders. Their average daily spending ranged from a low of $83.41 for European visitors to $88.33 for Japanese visitors, and on to a high of $102.36 for visitors from other international origins. In comparison, North American visitors spent an average of approximately $68 per person per day.
• European and Japanese visitors gave similar ratings for Island prices and value for money, and the ratings were very similar to those given by US and Canadian visitors. Visitors from other international origins gave market high ratings for prices and value. European visitors gave market low ratings for the variety of things to see and do on the Island, and for intention to revisit.
• Almost all Japanese visitors were first-time visitors (99 per cent); 77 per cent of visitors from Europe and other international origins were first-time visitors.
• The age structure of Japanese visitors was very unique relative to other markets: almost one-half (49 per cent) were 18 to 34 years of age. This was more than double the ratio in this age category for any other market.
• International visitors were very well-educated relative to Canadian visitors. This was especially the case with Japanese party heads, where 74 per cent had university or higher levels of education.
• European visitors have very high household incomes. A market-leading 38 per cent had incomes of $125,000 or more. Japanese income levels did not reflect their high levels of education. They were very diverse, which may reflect their younger age.
The report is part of a series of supporting reports based on comprehensive data previously released in the report, “Overall Results of the 2007 Exit Survey.” The data is for the main tourism season of June 27 to September 30, 2007, and was collected as visitors departed PEI at the Confederation Bridge, Charlottetown Airport, and Wood Islands Ferry (seasonally). Data presented is for pleasure visitors who spent at least one night on PEI. For a list of all reports released by the TRC on Exit Survey results, please visit trc.upei.ca/exitsurvey. Three more reports based on main season results will be released over the next six weeks.
Further information about the report can be obtained from the Tourism Research Centre, School of Business, University of PEI, at (902) 566-6096 or trc@upei.ca.
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Media contact: Anna MacDonald, Media Relations and Communications Officer, (902) 566-6786, amacdonald@upei.ca, www.upei.ca
Investments of over $7.6 million for Canada Games 2009 announced at UPEI on July 5
The University of Prince Edward island was the site of a news conference on Saturday, July 5, to announce over $7.6 million in funding for Canada Games facilities in the City of Charlottetown, including the new $6.8 million state-of-the-art Athletic Complex now under construction on campus.
A number of Charlottetown-area facilities will be upgraded and modernized to host various events during the 2009 Canada Games as a result of investments announced today by the federal, provincial and municipal governments as well the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). The upgrades will benefit over 4,000 of Canada’s best athletes during the 2009 Canada Games, and bring lasting social and economic benefits to Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, were joined by Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee, Wade MacLauchlan, President of UPEI and Wayne Carew, Vice-President of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society to announce over $7.6 million in funding for Canada Games facilities in the City of Charlottetown.
“The Government of Canada believes that participation in sport is part of a healthy lifestyle and contributes to a healthy society,” said Minister MacKay. “These Canada Games facilities in the Charlottetown area will provide social and economic benefits for years to come. Venues like these better position the province to host large-scale events that create positive economic spin-offs that will be felt across the Island.”
Today’s announcement outlined details of the new $6.8 million state-of-the-art Athletic Complex that is currently under construction on the UPEI campus. The Athletic Complex will host almost 50 track and field events during the second week of the Games. Also on the UPEI campus, the aquatic complex at the CARI Centre will receive nearly $300,000 in upgrades allowing it to host numerous swimming and diving competitions. As well, Memorial Field and the nearby tennis courts at Victoria Park will undergo major renovations totaling almost $530,000 for the 2009 Canada Games.
"The Canada Games are a unique Canadian event bringing together young men and women from every province and territory in a celebration of sport and culture," said Premier Ghiz. “These facilities will be a tremendous legacy for the Island and will ensure that athletes, as well as the general public, have access to high-quality sport facilities for years to come."
There are 32 proposed venues all across Prince Edward Island for the 2009 Canada Games. It is anticipated that over 4,400 athletes, coaches and managers will attend.
"The City of Charlottetown is a city with impressive sport facilities and a rich sporting tradition, some of which was born from the Canada Winter Games hosted by our City in 1991. It is fitting that we stand here today with our federal and provincial partners again to speak about further legacy building through the Canada Games experience", says Mayor Lee. "We are confident it will have a positive impact on the City and these new facilities will leave a legacy for Island athletes for years to come."
The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the dedication of the local Host Society, and the contribution and support of the federal, provincial and host municipal governments, and the Canada Games Council.
“As organizers of the 2009 Games, we are pleased to be partnering with the various orders of government and UPEI to create top-notch facilities for hosting the nation next summer,” said Host Society Vice-president Carew. “It is especially rewarding to know that our efforts will also ensure that future Canada Games athletes from Prince Edward Island will have access to excellent training and competition venues.”
"These magnificent athletics facilities will permit our entire community to achieve new levels of health and wellness, and to host an outstanding Canada Games,” said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. “UPEI is honoured to work together with governments and the community to create this major new platform for athletic competition and success."
These Canada Games facilities are being funded through Canada-PEI Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) with contributions from the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island, and the City of Charlottetown. The University of Prince Edward Island is responsible for maintaining the facilities on campus. For more information about infrastructure initiatives in Prince Edward Island, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/cca
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Photo credit: The photo on the UPEI website's home page is courtesy of Brian Simpson.
BACKGROUNDERS
THE CANADA GAMES
Held once every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for the next generation of national team athletes and future champions. The Games have been hosted in every province at least once since their inception in Quebec City during Canada’s Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity.
The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the dedication of the local Host Society, the contribution and support of the federal, provincial and host municipal governments and the Canada Games Council.
UPEI ATHLETIC COMPLEX
The Athletic Complex is under construction at the UPEI campus. The state-of-the-art facility will host 25 track and field events for men and 24 for women during the second week of the games. The Complex will feature a synthetic 400m, 8 lane oval track, a water jump for steeplechase, a facility for long and triple jump, pole vault, discus and hammer throw, javelin throw, shot put, warm-up track, storage, washrooms, spectator seating and viewing as well as site and storm drainage and fencing. The total cost of this project is $6,793,322, which will be funded through Federal, Provincial and Municipal contributions.
CARI CENTRE – SWIMMING AND DIVING INFRASTRUCTURE
Charlottetown will play a lead role in 2009 when Prince Edward Island hosts the Canada Summer Games. They are major shareholders in a CARI Centre which is owned by a not-for-profit corporation - Capital Area Recreation Inc. This $299,400 project will upgrade the technical requirements for both the swimming and diving facilities at the CARI Centre. The swimming upgrades include the installation of pushbutton Daktronics, touch pads, lane dividers/covers, and darken windows to reduce light reflection. The diving aspects of the project include a 3m diving board, pool lighting, and surface agitation system including electrical components.
VICTORIA PARK TENNIS COURTS
The Victoria Park Tennis Courts are located in the southern section of the 40 acre parkland. The current venue consists of a total of six lighted courts, a tennis club house, parking as well as a nearby canteen service owned and operated by a local service club. The site has been chosen by the 2009 Canada Games for the tennis competition. The Canada Games requirement includes a total of eight courts in one venue. Rather than try to create a new venue with eight new courts and all the amenities, it was decided to add two additional courts. In keeping with a specific bylaw pertaining to Victoria Park, the Council held a public consultation, and as a result, have support to proceed with two courts in a specified area. This venue upgrade will not only enable the City to host the 2009 Canada Games but will also enable the tennis community to attract other future national competitions which also require an eight court venue. The total project cost is $229,000.
MEMORIAL FIELD UPGRADES
Memorial Baseball Field, located in Victoria Park in the heart of Charlottetown, is a premier venue for baseball play in the City. This site has been chosen as a primary venue for hosting Canada Summer Games baseball in 2009. The facility presently does not meet Canada Games standards in either the dimensions or type of playing surface. A substantial upgrade is required in order to meet Games specifications. The work includes stripping the topsoil from the infield and replacing the infield material with natural sod material to create a grass infield. The infield will have a drainage system as well as irrigation. The overall repositioning and expansion of the field will be moved in a northerly direction so as to avoid tree removal in the adjacent woods. Lights will be relocated and repositioned. New amenities will include bleachers, a bullpen; fencing and a press box. The complete scope of work has been endorsed by Canada Games officials to ensure that medal games can be played on these fields. In addition, City has already committed to hosting the 2008 National Junior Baseball Championships in August. This event will act as a pre event trial of the venue for 2009 Games. The total project cost has been approved for $299,814.
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