Founded in 2019, the Angers Royals club is embarking on its project to create a fully private baseball field. A promotional video released last month kicked off the project.
Mathieu Salé, president of the club: « Over the past two years, we’ve been searching for a large enough plot meeting several criteria, including geographical location, size, relative flatness, and accessibility. »
The opportunity finally presented itself in March. The club, currently leasing the land (with a potential buyout in the future), is in discussions with local officials and urban planning services to bring this project to fruition. There are indeed a few administrative challenges to overcome before fully launching the construction, which is hoped to begin next autumn.
« All stakeholders are very interested in the project, and we thank the entire municipal council and the urban planning services of the intercommunality for fully supporting us. The land should be reclassified as a recreational zone in the medium to long term, allowing us to more easily evolve the project, including the possible construction of locker rooms and a grandstand. »
The intercommunality has even mentioned taking over the financing of the facilities in the long run. Now, it’s up to the Royals club to financially manage the initial work, including earthmoving, backstop installation, sodding, and the creation of a fully natural fence at the back of the outfield with a few rows of corn, with growth expected by summer 2023.
The « field of dreams » in the heart of Anjou is on the right track, and private financing is almost secured. The club, however, offers all baseball enthusiasts the opportunity to join this adventure. Everyone can contribute with a donation of €5, €10, €20, or more.
« A donors’ board will be erected on the future field to thank contributors, hoping that our initiative will inspire other clubs. In a context where local authorities can sometimes be difficult to convince, especially for our niche sport, creating private fields remains possible. Quimper has shown us the way. »
Build it, and they will come for the first matches by March 2024 at the latest.
