Moncton Mets move to Riverview
Published Friday September 5th, 2008
Upgrades to Kiwanis Park mean that the Mets will call Riverview their home-away-from-home for 2009
The Moncton Mets will have a new home for the 2009 season and the Town of Riverview will have a higher level of baseball than to which it is accustomed.
Not coincidentally, these two facts are related as the Mets will play home games out of Harold Page Field while renovations on their home field at Kiwanis Park will have that venue out of commission.
"The City of Moncton contacted me a while back to inquire about the status of our field and told us that there may be a need to relocate the Mets in 2009," explains Bob Clive, Director of Parks and Recreation with the Town of Riverview.
"I told them it was certainly something I would entertain. Then late in 2007 Ralph Chambers contacted me to confirm that the Mets would need a field for the 2009 season while their field was being upgraded so we met and discussed the feasibility of the move."
The Kiwanis Field will be getting a major overhaul, as the infield, outfield and amenities will all be upgraded for a pricetag of over $1 million.
The move to the other side of the river for one season is a small one for the Mets, but it will have a big effect on baseball in Riverview.
"We're putting in a new chain link fence in the outfield and doing a complete upgrade of our bleachers to increase our seating capacity to 700 or 800 fans," says Bob.
"We're also exploring what it would take to replace our lights because the ones we currently have were hit by lightning in the early 90s and haven't worked since.
"The infield needs some work done on it and we're also getting new dugouts and repairing or replacing the scoreboard."
While the Riverview Field needs some work done in preparation for the Mets, the investment is seen by all sides as worthwhile.
"What it means is that for next season, our minor ball will handle concessions down at the field, which will put money into their organization," explains Bob.
"Plus, the kids will be at the games, so they will see first hand that level of baseball."
The commitment from the Mets involves more than games and being the catalyst to upgrading Riverview's ballfield however.
"In the wintertime, the Mets have agreed to assist us and put on some winter training camps, using local gyms," explains Bob.
"Some of the Mets are going to come in and help some of our young players improve their skills. This will really help keep the enthusiasm over the winter and help us have a successful program in the spring."
Overall, Bob sees the situation as one that benefits both sides and will act as a catalyst to the growth and development to baseball in Riverview.
"It gives our kids a view of where they could go with baseball if they stick to it," says Bob. "There are several young players from Riverview playing on the junior team and some of the Mets live in Riverview as well.
"It just gives the kids the idea that they can get there. Just having some of the kids coming down and looking at the field and getting excited and having that sense of pride will mean a lot to baseball and the community."
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