Case Community Challenge Honors Contractor for Building Baseball Field for Special-Needs Athletes

For each of the first 10 months of 2011, the Case Community Challenge will recognize a contractor whose work on a charitable project makes a positive, lasting contribution to the local community. In November, a panel of industry leaders will select a winner from the semifinalists, who will receive one year’s free use of a new Case N Series loader backhoe. In addition, Case will donate $5,000 to the winner’s charitable organization.

Case Construction Equipment has named Michael O’Keefe Ltd., Windsor, Ontario, as the first monthly winner of the Case Community Challenge. The Case program honors construction contractors who support their local communities with significant community service projects.

O’Keefe has played a key role in developing Canada’s first Miracle League baseball field for special-needs athletes in the southern Ontario town of Amherstburg. The new “field of dreams” is part of the Amherstburg Sports Complex that includes a variety of other handicapped-accessible facilities for indoor and outdoor sports.

O’Keefe used a fleet of Case excavators, crawler dozers and loader backhoes to provide drainage, sub-base, base and final grading for 25 acres of the site.

As a monthly winner, Michael O’Keefe Ltd. receives a $1,000 CNH parts and service reward card, and the charity that the project supported will receive a $1,000 donation from Case. In addition, Michael O’Keefe Ltd. qualifies as a semifinalist that may win one year’s free use of a new Case N Series loader/backhoe. In addition, Case will donate $5,000 to the winner’s charitable organization.

“It’s an honor for us to be involved in the construction of this very special facility,” said Shawn O’Keefe, project manager for Michael O’Keefe Ltd. “We’re happy the Miracle League project will receive a $1,000 cash prize from Case.”

The complex includes 135,000 sq ft of indoor facilities featuring two ice rinks, a mini practice rink, a soccer field with walking track, community room, concessions and sports retailing. Outdoor facilities include the Miracle League baseball diamond and a professional size soccer/football field.

Amherstburg expects visitors from all over North America at the new complex. In addition to hosting the local schedule of Miracle League baseball games, the field will be the site of frequent regional tournaments. Local officials predict the complex will accommodate up to 100,000 people annually.

Each month in 2011, Case will also give the first contractor who receives 100 votes on www.facebook.com/caseconstruction $100 in Case gear.

Case invites communities and service organizations to encourage contractors to nominate their projects, by visiting www.CaseCE.com/communitychallenge and completing the entry form.