THUNDER BAY  ----   November 7, 2009  ----  Thunder Bay’s two main baseball fields will be renovated to host the World Junior Baseball Championships in July 2010.  The NOHFC is providing $363,585 to this project.  The MTCU is providing $39,735 to this project, under its Job Creation Partnership program, to support the work of 20 people for a period of 16 weeks.

Through the support of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), Port Arthur Stadium and Baseball Central Complex will be renovated to meet international standards.  The project includes better lighting, new fencing around the baseball fields and other upgrades. 
These improvements will enable the community to attract other major sporting activities in the future.   The World Junior Baseball Championships is a 12-team event which is held every two years and features the national teams of participating countries showcasing competitors 18 years of age and under.
The Thunder Bay area will welcome some 300 athletes, coaches and officials for the July 23 to August 1 event.  Organizers expect a total attendance of about 20,000 people.

This project is being spearheaded by the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association, hosts of next summer’s event.

The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA), a not-for-profit organization, was created in late 2002, with its primary objective being to bid for and host national and international baseball events. The TBIBA aspires to be regarded by the national and international amateur baseball communities as the organization to stage well run, well received and professionally managed championship events played on world class facilities.

Read more by visiting Thunder Bay International Baseball Association website