By Barb Denton and Jackie Johnson
On August 29th, 30th, and 31st, the Little Fort Community Hall was the fortunate and grateful recipient of a new and improved baseball diamond.
The community of Little Fort in partnership with Argo Road Maintenance (Argo) and the Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure (MOTI) has created a beautiful functional new ball diamond. The diamond comes complete with sod, clay and irrigation.
Together Argo (Tom Bone) and MOTI (Harvey Nelson) presented their idea as a combined commitment of helping and improving communities. Several unincorporated communities were on the radar with Little Fort being the chosen one.
Tom Bone of Argo explained that because of the long and committed relationship of the Little Fort Youth Groups leader Jackie Johnson and the local young people with their annual highway and community cleanup Little Fort was on the top of the list.
The Little Fort Rec. Society via Jackie Johnson have been petitioning and receiving support from Argo Road Maintenance since 2003 for their annual community cleanup.
Jackie speaks passionately for her community and its young people and has advocated for their needs in providing a safe and responsible environment. Her words are “If you allow children to have ownership of their community and its facilities, they will use and respect them as their own. The community can only benefit by the children policing their peers and keeping the facilities in good shape.”
Argo has continued to step up to the plate by consistently providing materials for the annual clean up and financial support for programs and activities that support the young people and the community as a whole.
Jackie states, “These kids have been picking up garbage since they were very little and taking pride in their community. I really admire them all.”
Tom Bone (Argo) and Harvey Nelson (MOTI) say of their intentions of leaving a legacy of helping communities. “When we can, we do.”
Both are very happy to work in partnership with the Little Fort Rec. Society and its members.
Needless to say the community was thrilled with this project and a strong turnout of local residents not only enabled the ball diamond project to be completed, but the entire property was cleaned up as well as the playground equipment, dugouts, and bleachers given coats of fresh paint.
Argo and the MOTI arrived with full crews, equipment, and material to set the irrigation lines, lay sod and red clay.
Little Fort residents showed up to work alongside Argo and MOTI, plus do the painting.
Those who could not make it sent baking etc. as the crews all had to be fed and smiling for their coffee breaks and lunches. The teamwork was phenomenal and the project completed in two-and-a-half days.
The Little Fort Community would like to recognize this great project and support for our community by extending our most heart felt thank you to Argo, MOTI and all those who helped make this dream a reality.
“Ball anyone?”