Ontario is investing up to $3 million in sporting facilities across the province through the Sport Hosting Program to support sports at the amateur level and boost economic growth.

As part of the investment, Ontario is contributing $500,000 to Thunder Bay to host the 2017 Under-18 Baseball World Cup. An additional $983,500 is being invested through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to upgrade local facilities prior to the international competition, raising the investment over $1.4 million.

The biennial event takes place from September 1 to 10, 2017 and will welcome athletes from around the world, including several that have been drafted by Major League Baseball (MLB) teams.

“We are extremely pleased with the support through the province’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and Sport Hosting Program funding for the U-18 World Baseball Cup,” said Larry Hebert, president of the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association. “Improvements to the baseball fields were identified as crucial and the event funding is critical to the overall operation of the tournament. Our committee can continue to work diligently and confidently on this major event for Thunder Bay.”