Ball diamond dedicated to Lisa McKechnie

December 2, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The ball diamonds at Hyland Park in Shelburne were re-designed and given a face-lift for the start of the 2016 season.

New fencing, grading, and infields, as well as a new diamond at the south end of the park have transformed the area into a quality venue for the slo-pitch and three pitch leagues that use the park all summer long.

The ‘A’ diamond also received a new name to honour a late Shelburne resident who played softball at the park.

Lisa McKechnie was an avid ball player who passed away in 2002.

The diamond is now named Lisa McKechnie Memorial Field.

“It’s been 15 years since Lisa passed away tragically in a backyard accident,” said Shelburne Mayor Ken Bennington, who knew Lisa. “The family at the time came to Council and asked that the diamond be named in honour of Lisa. Unfortunately, that request was originally denied. Now, with the recent changes in this park, it seemed fitting that it was time to right that wrong and re-name diamond ‘A’ in honour of Lisa McKechnie. She was a young lady who was an avid ball player and very active in the community. There’s a memorial tournament in her name every year.”

The tournament has been a success over the years raising funds for local causes.

The Town spent around $300,000 in improvements at the popular park and a new sign has been erected at the diamond to give it the new name.

“She played a lot of baseball,” said Lisa’s father Doug McKechnie, who attended the unveiling of the new sign. “She played in a lot of tournaments here. Lisa played tournaments everywhere. She played minor ball here when she was a kid going to school at Hyland Heights.”

Lisa grew up in Shelburne in her neighbourhood in the shadow of the town’s water tower.

While it is pretty quiet on the diamonds right now, the park will again be bustling with the boys and girls of summer once ball season gets underway in the spring.