Antigonish Challenger Baseball and the Town of Antigonish are in the early stages of a unique partnership to identify accessibility enhancements to public play areas that will allow for more inclusive opportunities for more participants of all abilities.
With a unique focus on recreational facilities, Challenger, the Community Development Department and Town’s Accessibility Committee will work together to identify, review and approve public spaces that could benefit from accessibility upgrades. Once the projects have been chosen, Challenger will initiate the fundraising process within the community and the Town will match the money raised.
Challenger Baseball coordinator, Randy Crouse is no stranger to lobbying for sport; he’s already successfully spearheaded the creation of an accessible baseball field in Antigonish. When he approached the Town about addressing inclusion and access on a broader scale, the collaboration was a natural fit. “I saw the benefits that came with building The Sandlot, our accessible ball field, in 2019. My thought was if we can make this many positive experiences with a ball field, imagine what we could do if we made more of the sport and recreation areas in the community more accessible,” says Crouse.
The partnership couldn’t have come at a better time, as municipalities across the province are working towards the goal of removing barriers and making Nova Scotia accessible by 2030. The endeavor stems from the Government of Nova Scotia Accessibility Plan which was released in 2018 after Nova Scotia became the third Canadian province to pass accessibility legislation the previous year.
While Challenger and the Town have a clear vision of what they aim to achieve, they recognize the importance of having the right people at the table. “The main goal from the Town’s perspective is that spaces are made more inclusive and accessible and, most importantly, that accessibility planning is largely driven by those with accessibility needs,” says Stephen Scannell, Director of Community Development at the Town of Antigonish. And although the duo will be the project leads, they aren’t tackling this alone. The Antigonish Accessibility Committee, community members, local businesses and schools, Challenger Baseball stakeholders, and early childhood intervention experts are also taking part in the conversation.
While making sport and recreation spaces more equitable may seem like an overwhelming challenge, Crouse believes it’s all about creating the right connections and having the willingness to be a part of the change. “Reach out, make the ask and start the discussion. I am also a firm believer that if there is something you want done, don’t just ask for it, offer your assistance, guidance, and support,” says Crouse. “In my opinion, accessibility is at the forefront of sport and recreation growth. Individuals should have the opportunity to participate and play no matter their circumstances, ability, or experience. For every area that you make more accessible, you are providing so many more opportunities.”
Challenger and the Town of Antigonish are still in the early stages of planning but so far, they haven’t hit any roadblocks that they couldn’t navigate. The group aims to have the project approved in June with an official rollout later this year.
More information about Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act can be found in the Accessibility Planning Toolkit for Municipalities. If you’re interested in learning more about Antigonish Challenger Baseball or getting involved, check out their website.
