‘Investing with heart’ rejuvenates baseball in Vancouver

By Madeline Sept (June 06, 2008)

Venue: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Investing is not always just about money, explained Vancouver Canadians majority owner Jake Kerr at a Spirit of Vancouver® panel discussion. The event explored the unique nature of investment projects that are close to the heart while celebrating the legacy of baseball in Vancouver.

"Jeff and I call it investing with heart, [whereas] others would call it just plain dumb," said Kerr, who described how he and partner Jeff Mooney transformed their childhood dream into a viable business by restructuring an inefficient management team, improving the food and drink options at Nat Bailey Stadium and undertaking cosmetic renovations to the stadium with a 1950s theme.

Along with Kerr, the panel included Andy Dunn, president and general manager of the Vancouver Canadians; Terry McKaig, head coach of the UBC Thunderbirds baseball team and veteran sportscaster Jim Robson, who each described the importance of baseball to Vancouver from a different perspective.

"[Vancouver] is a good baseball market," said Dunn, explaining his mandate to support businesses in Vancouver by spending locally.

Robson, on the other hand, described Vancouver’s rich baseball history, mentioning that Vancouver’s first pro-baseball team, founded in 1905, was named the Vancouver Veterans.

Finally, McKaig shared the importance of Vancouver Canadians baseball for Vancouver youth:

"I think [Vancouver] is one of the few places in North America that the kids that are growing up playing the sport can actually go out in the city and see baseball being played at a higher level that is attainable to them," he said.

Making a difference for youth was one of the many highlights of the Spirit of Vancouver event, which included a silent auction benefiting the CH.I.L.D Foundation. Featured in the auction was a collection of nine baseballs autographed by B.C.-born Major League Baseball players and coaches.

Other highlights included a chorus of "Take me out to the ball game," sung by attendees, a draw for the first pitch of the 2008 Vancouver Canadians baseball season, a presentation of this year’s new uniforms, the first official appearance of the new Vancouver Canadian’s mascot, Bob Brown Bear, and a proclamation from Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan, read by city councillor Suzanne Anton, declaring Tuesday, June 17, 2008, the day of the season opener, "Vancouver Canadians Baseball Day."

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