Villeray parents, players worry library project could threaten local baseball field

A growing girls’ baseball league in Villeray is raising concerns over plans to redevelop Le PrEvost Park, saying the project could cost them their home field.

A planned library expansion in Montreal’s Villeray borough is threatening a local baseball field used by youth leagues, prompting pushback from teams who say the move comes at a time when more girls than ever are signing up to play.

Dubbed “The Girls of Summer,” The Jackies baseball team uses Le Prévost Park as its home base. Player Adele Kalfa says she enjoys the sport because of the social aspect. “Making new friends, and I like that it’s a team sport,” she said.

The Jackies are part of the Jarry Baseball Association, where participation is on the rise. Organizer Maxime Brossard says the growth has been significant. “We went from one or two girls’ teams to eight this year, so we’re now 106,” he said.

That growth could soon face a setback.

Le Prévost Park, located on Christophe-Colomb, is slated for redevelopment starting in 2028, and players and parents are worried about what that means for the field. Parent Nicole Leroux says the plans would dramatically reshape the space. “They’re going to redo the entire park. They’re going to take out the baseball diamond, they’re going to take out the soccer pitch and the playground for the children,” she said.

The city plans to use the site for the new Caroline-Dawson Library and a poetry garden. Leroux believes there’s room for both. “[We’re] asking that the city consider having both projects on the site. We believe that there is a possibility for them to keep the baseball diamond and have a park of contemplation,” she said.

In an email to CTV News, a Montreal spokesperson said, “Maximizing all available public spaces in the borough is essential and must be combined with various actions to meet all the needs of the population. The construction of the Caroline-Dawson Library is part of this vision.”

The statement adds that two nearby parks — Villeray Park and de Normanville Park — also have baseball diamonds, and that the borough is considering renovating the land at the second location. But Brossard says those options won’t be enough. “We’re currently at full capacity with the diamonds,” he said.

Leroux agrees, warning of reduced access for teams. “We’ll have less time to practice and we’ll have less opportunity to play games in the borough,” she said.

Parents say the games play an important role in keeping kids active. “They’re not on their phones,” said parent Valerie Hebert. “If I don’t have baseball, I don’t have any activities,” added her daughter, Adele Ouillard.

Leroux said families have been asking the city for a compromise for some time. “If we could cohabitate, that would be wonderful. And unfortunately, we haven’t gotten any news from the city,” she said.

Kalfa says she values libraries — but not at the expense of the game she loves. “I still like to read and all, but also I still love to play baseball,” she said. Without a diamond, Brossard warns, “We will not be able to keep the sport growing.”