I returned to Arctic Bay in early August to get a head start on preparing for the upcoming school year. My first year as vice principal taught me extra time is needed for anything & everything. Staying ahead of duties & tasks by a large margin pays dividends in the long run. I did take a day or two to reacclimatize living in Canada’s Arctic.
Arctic Bay residents headed to Victor Bay on the afternoon of August 8 for the grand opening of the newly constructed baseball diamond. The artificial turf diamond was built in 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays providing a $46,000 donation through its Jays Care Foundation (JCF). JCF representatives were present at the ceremony. The original plan was to have the diamond in the community, but the chosen spot proved unworkable.
The principal & I drove out to the field in the late afternoon. There were a crowd and barbecue happening when we got there. Kids & teenagers were playing baseball on the field. The field looks nice in my view. A bright blue wooden hut and 2 sea containers are also on site.
The ceremony was led by the hamlet’s recreation coordinator. CBC News North sent a film crew to record the event. The coordinator stood near the pitcher’s mound and welcomed everyone in Inuktitut & English. The JCF representatives joined her on the field. She called on all youth to come onto the field and receive Blue Jays t-shirts. The youth then stood in two lines near home plate, holding the flags of Canada and Toronto Blue Jays.
Two Elders did a song & drum dance, followed by two lady throat singers. Speeches were made by the recreation coordinator, JCF representatives, and deputy mayor. The ceremony ended with a ribbon cutting.
Youth continued playing baseball on the artificial turf and the recreation staff carried on with the barbecue. I stayed around for a bit taking pictures and then got a ride back to town with the principal.
Arctic
Bay now has its own Field of Dreams . . . minus the cornfield.
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