A ceremonial first pitch marked the completion of upgrades at Father Cullen Baseball Stadium on Saturday, with local youth players joining city officials at Mic Mac Park to celebrate the improvements.
The City of Windsor was selected last spring for a Jays Care Foundation Field of Dreams grant to support refurbishment of the stadium's backstop at 1125 Prince Rd. The city contributed $150,000 to the project, matched by another $150,000 through the national program.
Mayor Dilkens Throws Ceremonial First Pitch
Mayor Drew Dilkens took part in a ribbon cutting and threw the ceremonial first pitch as part of the event. “The City of Windsor is grateful to have been selected by the Toronto Blue Jays to receive this impactful funding,” Dilkens said in a release. “Father Cullen Stadium is our premier stadium in Windsor. It has been home to many national and provincial baseball championships, serving as the host site for competitions that inspire youth, celebrate sport, and increase quality of life and community engagement.”
He added: “This generous funding from the Jays Care Foundation helps to ensure that the stadium continues to be used by local associations and the many teams that come to Windsor for tournaments and events.”
Upgrades Include New Backstop and Dugouts
Work at the stadium included removal of the aging backstop and installation of a new system featuring hoist-able netting and new padding. The project also expanded the concrete surface between dugouts to improve accessibility and sightlines, along with updates to the dugouts and addition of new player benches at ground level.
Dilkens said the project is part of broader city investments, noting Windsor has allocated $317 million in capital spending for 2026, including $29.2 million for community services such as parks, recreation, facilities and culture. “We thank the foundation and the Toronto Blue Jays for investing in our community, as well as those who helped bring this project to fruition,” Dilkens said.
Field of Dreams Program Impact
The Field of Dreams program funds the design, construction and refurbishment of baseball diamonds across Canada, with an emphasis on creating “safe and inclusive spaces where communities can connect, and kids can grow.” The foundation has invested more than $20 million in 232 Field of Dreams projects across the country.
“We’re thrilled to see the upgrades at Father Cullen Stadium come to life and can’t wait to see young people across Windsor put it to good use,” said foundation executive director Peter King. “This revitalized stadium will give kids a safe place to build character, find a sense of belonging, and experience the power of baseball in their community. Jays Care is proud to partner with the City of Windsor to create a field where more children can play, grow, and fall in love with the game.”
