Pirates Charities donates new ‘green’ field in Brighton Heights
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Left: Pirates President Frank Coonlley cut the ribbon at the rededication of Sanguigni Field. (Photo Courtesy Dave Arrigo/Pittsburgh Pirates)
This baseball season, The Brighton Heights Athletic Association hit a home run when it received a new field from Pirates Charities and an employee volunteer grant from Highmark.
One of the BHAA’s old baseball fields was newly refurbished through the Pirates Charities program and the Heinz Endowments. The association also received a $500 grant from Highmark Inc.
The newly named Sanguigni Field was rededicated July 7, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The field was funded by Pirates Charities and the Heinz Endowments and designed to be an environmentally friendly field by Astorino. The field was chosen by the city due to its need for renovations and its water drainage problems.
Sanguigni Field features a bio retention swale along the skirt of the outfield, a rain garden to catch water and drywells to solve the water drainage problem.
Other green features include revitalized grass, freshly planted trees, a backstop made out of recycled tires and waste receptacles and a scoreboard that both use solar power.
Even the stain on the refurbished dugouts was a low volatile organ compound that minimizes environmental and health hazards caused by the chemicals in regular stain.
The total renovation cost $250,000.
“The most important thing about Sanguigni Field is, not only does the renovation provide a new, safe environment for more than 300 youth of Brighton Heights, it also contains several environmentally-friendly elements, which will now provide an educational opportunity for children and adults using and visiting the field in the future,” said Matt Norby of the Pirates Charities
Just days after the rededication of the field, it was announced on Tuesday that the BHAA would also receive a grant from Highmark’s Employee Volunteer Program. Northside resident and BHAA volunteer Sandy Mastele applied for the grant through her job at Highmark, and received $500 for the athletic association.
The money will be used to maintain the fields and cover the cost of children whose families cannot afford fees that go towards buying newer and safer equipment.
“We’re very thankful and grateful for both organizations,” said BHAA President Mike Gavlik.
