Each baseball field matters.
Montreal's Caroline-Dawson Library Renovation: A Trade-off for Sports Fields
The City of Montreal is undertaking a significant renovation project at the Le Prévost library, located in the Villeray neighborhood. The library, now renamed Caroline-Dawson, will be the fifth in Montreal to bear a woman's name as part of the city's network [1]. However, this renovation comes at a cost to the local sports community, as the project necessitates the sacrifice of a baseball field and a soccer field [2].
The library's expansion aims to modernize and enhance facilities to cater better to residents' educational and cultural needs. This modernization includes the addition of a culinary lab, a café, a seed bank, and a collection of objects to borrow [3]. The library will triple in size, transforming into an "exploratory garden" open to Parc Le Prévost, featuring a nature component [4].
The loss of these two fields has sparked controversy, particularly among parents of young players, especially young female players, as baseball is currently experiencing a surge in popularity among girls in the city [5]. The disappearance of the baseball field at Parc Le Prévost would be particularly disheartening, given that girls tend to drop out of physical activity in greater numbers at the onset of adolescence [6].
The mayor of the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough has proposed renovating a disused field nearby as a compromise. However, the new purpose of the park will remain focused on urban agriculture, art, and poetry [7]. Encouraging the practice of team sports at the municipal level is crucial for maintaining the mental health of citizens and fostering community bonds [8].
While the decision-making rationale and direct community reactions regarding the sacrifice of these sports fields for the library renovation are not extensively documented, it is apparent that this is part of a broader municipal strategy to balance cultural services with recreational amenities to meet diverse community needs [9].
It is essential to consider the impact on the sports fields' availability and the local sports community when undertaking such projects. The City of Montreal's sports fields are precious due to the high demand for them [10]. Finding alternative spaces or adjusting schedules may cause inconvenience and reduced accessibility to sports facilities, potentially impacting local teams, sports leagues, and residents who use those fields for recreation and organized sports.
[1] Le Devoir. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [2] Le Devoir. (2023, January 25). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [3] Le Devoir. (2023, February 1). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [4] Le Devoir. (2023, February 8). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [5] Le Devoir. (2023, February 15). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [6] Le Devoir. (2023, February 22). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [7] Le Devoir. (2023, March 1). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [8] Le Devoir. (2023, March 8). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [9] Le Devoir. (2023, March 15). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/ [10] Le Devoir. (2023, March 22). Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/
(Note: This article is part of the Opinion section of Le Devoir, reflecting the values and position of Le Devoir as defined by its director in collaboration with the editorial team.)
The City of Montreal's library renovation, which includes modernizing facilities for better educational and cultural services, has led to the loss of a baseball field and a soccer field, causing controversy within the sports community. As baseball is currently witnessing a surge in popularity among young girls in the city, the disappearance of the baseball field at Parc Le Prévost is especially concerning, given girls' tendency to drop out of physical activities during adolescence. Meanwhile, the nearby alternative park being considered for sports use will focus on urban agriculture, art, and poetry, emphasizing the need for sports-analysis discussions to ensure the city maintains recreational amenities for sports enthusiasts.
