The L.E.A.F. Initiative is a Commonwell program to grow capacity and resiliency in the communities we call home.

‘ The Completion of the Tatlock Hall “Field of Dreams” ‘

696 Concession 7 Darling , Clayton, On (Mailing Address); Lanark Highlands (GPS) TatlockK0A 1P0

Target Completion Date: September 30, 2022

What is this project about?

The project is all about the perseverance of a few people in a rural community of less than 1000 people.
In 1995, The Tatlock Hall Sports Organization had a dream for a “flat surface” to play sports. This did not materialize for the next 25 years except for their efforts to acquire five acres of property for Darling Township (amalgamated in 1997 as Lanark Highlands) from Lanark County.
In 2007, the 55 ton Tatlock Community Hall was moved 300 metres from a busy traffic corner to the five acre site. Community effort, township funding and a $70,000 Trillium Grant saw the hall renovated and become operational in September 2010. A storage area, kitchen and foyer were added on to the one-time church. Its first move was, as a pile of lumber, from Brightside to Tatlock in 1939.
In 2010, a $20,000 New Horizons grant provided funding to transform the basement to a conference room (library), kitchenette, with a shower and additional washrooms. It could now serve as an emergency preparedness centre.
The “Field of Dreams” was revived in 2018 when Aviva offered grants to do special projects. The Tatlock Hall Association applied for a $10,000 grant to make a “flat surface”. With over 240 votes by neighbours and friends they were awarded one of the 50 Small Idea Aviva Community Grants given annually across Canada. Fund raising by Tatlock Hall Members and helpers provided an additional $10,000.
In January 2019, Lanark County approved a community grant of $5,000 for playground equipment. This provided funds to purchase the commercial grade Can Play play structures from a contractor that was going out of business.
Additional funding was provided by the Tatlock Hall fund raising activities and the help of Covid Relief Funding. With over 200 hours of donated time the play area took shape and was completed this October 2021.
This last summer saw a “rocky surface” transformed to a “flat surface”. The removal of Canadian Shield type rock outcrops and over 600 volunteer hours of hauling sand, levelling of the area (300’x300’), obtaining and distributing compost, planting of grass seed, etc. etc.. resulted in a beautiful green “flat” field.
Our project now is to make a soccer/baseball field – the Realization of the “Field of Dreams”. We need soccer nets, a baseball infield, a pitcher’s mound, a back stop, bleachers and possibly more fencing.
The accomplishments made: the hall, the basement, the play structure, the flat field are due to the obtaining of the grants and the boundless generosity of friends, neighbours, community members and members of the Tatlock Hall Association that devoted their time, initiative and resources to these projects. Thank You All So Much.

Why is this project important to the community?

Our community has worked long and hard through the years to develop a beautiful community hall and now an impressive play structure park for young children. The sports field area is the culmination of the dream. It is all about participaction. Preparing and equipping the sports area for activities will give our community the incentive to participate in outdoor activities. Physical activities for the young and old will help people become more active and feel better in both body and mind. Community members have had this dream for over a generation. This will provide a designated landing spot for the emergency medical helicopters. A Canadian flag now flies showing the direction of the wind. Tatlock Hall provides a community resource for many varied indoor activities. The sports field will now provide an environment to bring friends, family and neighbours together for outdoor activities.