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Tribe donates 25000 to new ballfield facilitySAULT STE. MARIE—Sault Tribe is donating $25,000 to the Malcolm Park Pride Project for its first of many improvements to the City of Sault Ste. Marie ball fields and recreational area. The 2 percent funding will help construct a concession/restroom/changing facility with a few other improvements, a $125,000 project that is the first step in a 10-year master plan for the ball fields. 

Even better, the tribe’s donation will be matched dollar for dollar by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, making the tribe’s donation worth $50,000.

“The credit goes to the Unit I Tribal Board of Directors for approving this contribution that will benefit all local area youth of all ages,” Tribal Chairperson Aaron Payment said. “The Sault Tribe and Kewadin are pleased to be good neighbors with 2 percent revenues that must be shared with local government. I appreciate the cooperation this contribution has engendered.”

The Malcolm Park Pride Project is a group of organizations that use the ball field and playground—Sault Area Little League, Soo Women’s Slow Pitch, Soo Men’s Slowpitch, Co-Ed Softball, Sault Legacies Softball Club, American Legion Baseball, project Playground, Lake Superior State Club Softball and Sault Area High School baseball and softball. In the past, organizations secured their own funding for upkeep and maintenance. Working together, they developed a 10-year master plan to help the city make $500,000 in improvements.

This first project will help generate revenue for the rest of the projects. The Gary McClellan Facility will provide fully accessible restrooms for men and women, food and beverage options, a covered picnic area, changing rooms for local and visiting players, a locker room available to Sault High, Soo Legacies and LSSU softball teams and be universally accessible by park users and walking and bike path users along 12th Avenue.

Pictured are (Front, L-R) Malcolm High School Principal Sandra Sawyer, City Commissioner Abby Baker, Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron Payment, Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Tony Bosbous, Malcolm Park Pride Committee Co-Chair Kevin Pomeroy, Sault Tribe Unit I Director Kim Gravelle, Malcolm Park Pride Committee Co-Chair Linda Locey, (Back, L-R) City Manager Oliver Turner, Sault Tribe Unit I Director DJ Hoffman, City Commissioner Shane Miller, City Commissioner Don Gerries, City Commissioner Kathleen Twardy, City Attorney Steve Cannello, City Commissioner Tim Talentino, Sault Tribe Unit I Director Mike McKerchie.