Gravenhurst council has approved the use of surplus capital funds to complete unplanned rehabilitation work at the Wharf Baseball Diamond, authorizing spending of up to $53,850 to improve the facility before the 2026 baseball season.
Council endorsed a recommendation from the Director of Infrastructure Services to reallocate favourable budget variances from completed parks capital infrastructure projects rather than introduce new spending. Any funds remaining after the work is finished will be transferred into the town’s capital reserves.
The decision follows a staff report presented to the Committee of the Whole on March 17, which outlined maintenance issues discovered during post-season inspections of the Wharf diamond. While infield rehabilitation was already included in the 2026 operating budget for the Muskoka Bay Ball Diamond, staff found similar concerns at the Wharf facility.
Issues identified included soil compaction, material loss, buildup along the infield turf edge, deteriorating clay surfaces and poor drainage following rain events — all factors that can affect both playability and player safety.
Town staff noted that savings realized through recently completed parks projects, along with approximately $30,000 remaining from a 2023 capital program that repaired fencing and backstops at the Wharf Ball Diamond, created an opportunity to address the additional work without increasing overall municipal spending.
Administration said completing the rehabilitation now will extend the lifespan of the recreational asset, reduce long-term maintenance costs and prevent the need for a more expensive standalone project in future years.
The planned work includes restoring field geometry, improving grading and drainage, replacing infield materials, removing vegetation and debris, and installing new base anchors, home plate, pitching rubber and batter’s and catcher’s boxes.
Staff concluded the reallocation represents a fiscally responsible approach, allowing the town to respond to emerging infrastructure needs using existing approved funds while maintaining safe and playable community recreation spaces.
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