by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioSports.com
Photo (above): Wikipedia
The 87-year-old home-plate grandstand at Emslie Field in Pinafore Park, St. Thomas has been deemed dangerous and closed until its future is decided.
The historic diamond opened for play in 1899 – making it one of Canda’s oldest continuous ball diamonds. According to a report to St. Thomas city council from POW Peterman Consulting Engineers, the grandstand is unsafe.
“One steel beam contains a hole through the web, significantly reducing its shear capacity, while several roof joists are cracked or damaged. Even under normal conditions, high wind gusts could cause further displacement or failure,” reads the report, which also noted cracks in the grandstand’s concrete.
The grandstand, rebuilt in 1938 following a 1936 fire, would cost $800,000 to repair, according to the report, which estimated a reconstruction cost at $1.2 million.
Emslie Field photo courtesy City of St. Thomas archives.
The issue has already spurred much debate amongst city council and St. Thomas residents, including St. Thomas Minor Baseball whose first wish is to repair the historic grandstand.
The park is named after Guelph-born Bob Emslie, a former Major League Baseball pitcher and umpire who retired in St. Thomas and died in 1943 at age 84.
Most notably, the now-defunct St. Thomas Elgins, a long-time Intercounty Baseball League club, called Emslie Field home. Russ Evon and Tommy White were the club’s biggest stars.
City council said it will source input from the public in a quick fashion, before further debate of the grandstand’s future is included during December’s budget talks.
