INSIDE THE PARK: Latest project lights up softball complex

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This article was published 23/06/2022 (1307 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex is shining a whole lot brighter this summer.

The facility, which is located a kilometre straight west of Andrews Field on Parker Boulevard, has had a number of significant updates since it first opened in 2017. The latest came when new lights were installed on one of the diamonds two weeks ago, an upgrade that will allow Brandon to host national events.

The first will take place next summer when the U15 national tournament comes to the city from Aug. 9 to 13.

“It’s sure nice to see it lit up at night,” construction chair Cam Hotel said. “It’s going to make a huge difference and allow for some night-time ball so it will be great.”

The LED lights they installed are far cheaper than the metal halide lights that were used in the past, with the entire project coming in at under $200,000. While that seems like a big number, it used to be a lot worse.

“When we originally looked at lights a few years ago, the original price tag we got was around three-quarters of a million,” said Hotel, who has been involved with the committee nearly from the start. “These are a different light system. They’re an LED light and apparently very, very cost effective to run. We don’t know the exact cost of that yet but it was under a couple hundred thousand so it’s been a significant decrease.”

Some of the cost was defrayed with money in the bank, but the city also provided a grant that was paid when the lights were installed. On top of that, the lighting contractor agreed to be paid after the season ended, which will allow the facility to use the money it makes from tournaments and provincial events it’s holding this summer.

It will host provincials in the U13 AAA (July 21-24) and the U13 AA and U15 AA divisions (Aug. 12-14), and this weekend, the annual International Classic tournament in the U13 and U15 moves there from its traditional home at the John Blumberg Softball Complex in Headingley.

In addition, the boys will be in action from Aug. 19 to 21 when Patrick Leask’s Oji-Cree softball tournament returns for the second year.

While the lights may be up, the to-do list remains a long way from complete. A batting cage on a concrete pad has been installed, but it’s not finished just yet.

In addition, the board either wants to pave or install some kind of hard surface that will allow people in wheelchairs or parents pushing strollers to navigate the facility more easily.

“The footing there right now is a little bit rough for that and a little bit loose,” Hotel said. “The UCT has started a fundraiser for us for that, and we’ve received some funding but we’ve got a ways to go yet.”

They have also had requests to put up some permanent sunshades on the berms that were built for watching games. The current plan is to put up some kind of removable cloth structure that can be removed for winter.

“People today are bringing their own tents but we’re just trying to make it a little more convenient for people who maybe don’t have access to that or would like to get into some cooler temperatures,” said Hotel, who played ball years ago and is semi retired from the construction industry.

Over the years, there have also been informal discussions of adding another diamond by the former Co-op elevator and helping to spruce up the two diamonds by the North End Community Centre.

“That’s fairly long term for us,” Hotel said. “We’ve kicked a few of those ideas around but there’s nothing really concrete. It’s just some ideas of future potential things. Of course we have to keep it growing because softball is picking up and pretty popular now.

“We’re just always thinking of new things that we can tackle, but that’s long term, if it ever does unfold.”

In recent years, a canteen, washrooms and a well-appointed umpires’ room have been among the bigger projects. Ashley’s parents, Bev and Phil Neufeld, play a significant role in operating the canteen.

Brett Turner and Westman Softball Association president Mark Lyver do much of the maintenance work.

The committee hasn’t done a lot of lot fundraising lately, and has even cut down on the number of grants it applies for.

“We haven’t been actively searching as much for things,” Hotel said. “It’s time consuming and it’s been a long couple of years. There are still people out there who are willing to contribute because they know it’s for a good cause. Sometimes they’re giving us a bit of a cut in the price if we’re buying labour in return for some advertising.

“It’s tough finding sponsors but it always has been. We keep plugging away.”

Hotel said he pitches in because, like all the other committee members, he enjoys the sport and wants to give back to his community.

If someone wishes to lend a hand or make a donation, they can reach board members through the Westman Softball Association website — westmansoftball.com — and by following a link to the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex.

“It’s made huge progress,” Hotel said of the facility. “I don’t know if any of us thought it would take this long to get where we are but we just keep plugging along. Of course we’re always looking for funding. If we don’t have funding, we don’t get anything done.

“It’s at a great place now, and we’re always thinking of great ways to make it better. People say it’s a world-class facility. Some of the players who come and play and the parents and the coaches, they’re really thrilled to come to Brandon to the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex because they’ve heard so much about it.”

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