Northeast Indiana Building Trades and Foster Park Little League have debuted the newest addition to Foster Park’s ball diamonds: a $40,000 concession building which was donated by the Building Trades locals, along with several area contractors, companies and suppliers.

Last year was a rough year for Fort Wayne, with significant flooding throughout the area. When the water receded, Foster Park Little League realized their losses included a concession stand that flooding rendered completely unsalvageable. They approached the Northeast Indiana Building Trades late in the year, and the road to recovery started.

Northeast Indiana Building Trades worked alongside the Little League and the City of Fort Wayne Parks Department to obtain all of the permits needed to work in a flood plain while the Building Trades Council delegates began coordinating efforts with its members, area contractors and vendors to get donations in place. Today, the result of this community effort was revealed to the public – just in time for some Little League Championship games!

Darryl Esterline, Representative of SMART Local 20 and President of Northeast Indiana Building Trades, said “This truly was a collaborative effort from the Building Trades and the community. We wanted to give the boys and girls of summer a building that will withstand the years and possible future flooding, and I think we have accomplished that goal. We are all proud to be a part of it.”

The Foster Park Little League serves the southside community from April to July, starting from T-Ball at age 3 up to baseball and softball for 15 year old boys and girls, as well as hosting teams from all over Allen County at their diamonds in Foster Park. Ryan Keirns of the Foster Park Little League said “We couldn’t have rebuilt without the help of the Building Trades and the community – those recognized today and those who chose to remain anonymous. We are so grateful for everyone’s support of the Little League and the boys and girls who play here every summer.”