It’s strike one for One Ball At A Time group making a pitch for a baseball facility.
Robert Greno, the Penticton Indian Band development corp general manager, said that chief and council did not find the business plan acceptable.
“It doesn’t meet criteria,” said Greno. “You have to justify it financially. If you can’t, it’s a non-starter. It’s too ambitious for people to bring it together.”
In March of last year, a statement was released stating the PIB had received a proposal to develop a B.C. Legacy Baseball Complex. Chief Jonathan Kruger, Clint Gabriel, public works and recreation portfolio and administer Greg Gabriel expressed interest in making the project a reality.
“The Penticton Indian Band is very excited about our involvement with this initiative,” said Greg Gabriel at the intial announcement. “Bringing a complex of this magnitude to reality would present an enormous opportunity for all children and youth, not only within our community and region, but throughout the whole of Canada and the US.”
While the PIB has rejected it, Robyn Harden, who is involved with One Ball At A Time, said they are moving ahead with the project.
“I am not at liberty at this time to disclose any further details,” said Harden in an email when asked if other options are being looked at.
The facility would have had six full diamonds, including two feature diamonds, media room/announcers booth, clubhouses, outdoor pitching bullpen/batting cages, concession site, retail space, full size indoor training centre with indoor batting cages and pitching mounds.