The fate of the historic grandstand at Emslie Field in St. Thomas, Ont., has been a contentious issue over the past 12 months. St. Thomas city council has decided it can wait a little longer after deferring restoration options to the incoming council and the 2027 budget. “The decision to defer this to the budget is good news for us,” said Derek Brooks, director of the St. Thomas Minor Baseball Association (STMBA). Since the city closed the grandstand for safety reasons in November 2025, there have been concerns the city would tear down the structure, which was built in 1938. Council was presented with three options: After a structural condition assessment was completed, city staff recommended council choose the second option. However, council was divided at the meeting. “If we go to a full restoration of the current building for about $472,000 more, we get 45 to 50 years,” said Coun. Gary Clarke. “I just think that with the high cost of doing a part way renewal, that 15 years from now, we’re back where we were, and it’s kind of a waste of money.” Coun. Steve Wookey supported either of the two rehabilitation options. “I’m okay with refurbishing it and us putting in our 600,000 and other people coming with the rest, as long as that’s revenue neutral,” said Wookey. “I’m also okay with it being the fuller rebuild, because I talk all the time about cost-benefit analysis. If we can do something that’s going to last 50 years instead of 15 years, then we are reducing our costs later on.” Outgoing councillor Jim Herbert was supportive of the minimum rehabilitation, while outgoing councillor Joan Rymal wondered if a new structure was a better idea. “All I want is for it to be safe and usable,” Wookey told CTV News. “If the baseball community wants it to be redone as opposed to something new built, I have respect for that. I’m pleased to do that as long as it’s revenue neutral for the taxpayers of the city of Saint Thomas. If we put $600,000 into it, and they want to put the other $185,000 into it, then I’m great with that and we keep something that people really want.” With members of the STMBA in the gallery, council ultimately decided to include the options in the 2027 budget and let the incoming council decide the grandstand’s fate. “Ultimately the restoration of the existing structure is what we wanted whether that was the first option or the second option,” said Brooks. “We’re committed to support financially what we were willing to put forward initially, and that hasn’t changed. So, we’ll continue to work with city council and the new city council for sure when they’re sworn in.” Brooks and many members of the community have expressed their desire to keep the historic structure, which provides shade for those attending games throughout the summer and gives a classic look to the ballpark, which opened in 1898 at Pinafore Park. “There’s a ton of history there,” said Brooks. “You look at Bob Emslie (former MLB pitcher and umpire) and you look at Jack Graney (former MLB pitcher and broadcaster). All of those historical baseball figures have roots here in Saint Thomas. That grandstand, with the recent dedication of the press box to Graney and obviously the name of the park after Emslie. It’s important to maintain that park as close to the way it is now for the future.” The views of the community and the STMBA are not lost on members of city council. “I was a history teacher for 30 years,” said Wookey outside the meeting. “I care a lot about history, and so I’d love to see it maintained and saved as long as it makes financial sense for all the parties involved. Baseball (STMBA), as always, put their money where their mouth is and I have a great deal of respect for that. They’re doing the same thing again this time, so I’d be pleased to support them in that.”
