By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena City Council officially approved a new ordinance allowing a facility use agreement and lease of real property for the Helena Miracle League at the Oct. 23, Helena City Council meeting.

Ordinance 850-17-Miracle League was unanimously approved and will give the Helena Miracle League organization a space to operate in the future, allowing children and adults with special needs to play the game of baseball on a specially designed field.

The 125-foot baseball field for the Helena Miracle League project will be constructed on a plot of land roughly 2.5 acres behind Joe Tucker Park that will include the field, ADA accessible restrooms, a pavilion area, concession stand and a disability accessible parking lot.

The Helena Miracle League’s mission is to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League Baseball, regardless of their abilities, promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues and promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.

The volunteers with the Helena Miracle League organization have a two-year plan that includes matching funds from grants and the league hopes to raise target funds of $691,000 in different tiers to complete the project. The goal is to start playing baseball in two years once all the fundraising goals are met.

“We are very pleased to assist this effort by providing a great location to build this much needed and very important special needs baseball field,” Helena Mayor Mark Hall said. “This field will be a great addition for our city and surrounding communities. It will most certainly help bring joy and happiness to those who may need it the most.”

Other alternative uses for the field could include visits from nursing home members for exercise, kickball, soccer and Special Olympics events.

The Helena Miracle League continues to host a wide-range of fundraisers to help with the project and more information can be found at Facebook.com/HMLAngels/ or Helenamiracleleague.com.