After years of planning, fundraising, and hard work, the Woodlands Rec Club saw its efforts pay off in a big way this past Saturday, July 26th, as the community’s newly upgraded ball diamonds hosted their first major event: a community slow-pitch tournament that brought the heat in more ways than one.
“It went well, especially considering how hot it was,” says Rec Club President Jeremy Fisher. “We had eight teams out, which is exactly what we were hoping for. Everyone had a great time, and we got a ton of compliments on the new fields.”
The tournament unfolded on one of the hottest days of the summer, with temperatures hovering near 40°C. But that didn’t stop nearly 100 players from coming out to enjoy a full day of friendly competition. Plenty of family and community supporters also joined in on the fun.
“We had bouncy castles, face painting, and stuff for the kids, so even people who weren’t playing came out to enjoy the day. It was a nice turnout," Fisher explains.
The tournament marked the first major event on the revamped diamonds since upgrades were completed in June. Improvements to the main fields included new fencing, fresh baseball sand around the base paths, and refurbished dugouts and benches, which were made possible through a combination of community fundraising and volunteer labour.
Though proceeds from Saturday’s tournament are still being tallied, he estimates that around $3,500 was raised, helping to cover both continued diamond improvements and the club’s general operating costs.
In a heartwarming moment of community spirit, local team Wiser Hood, who also won last year’s pre-upgrade tournament, donated their $700 winnings back to the club.
“That was such a generous gesture. It really shows the kind of community we have here," he adds.
Each team fielded between 11 and 15 players, with the upgraded diamonds standing up well to the wear and tear of a busy day. Looking ahead, Fisher says there’s still work to be done.
“We’ve got some funds left from last year and this event. We’re hoping to tackle the backstop on diamonds one and two next spring. If the weather cooperates, we’d love to have that done before the kids are back out playing,” he notes.
After three years of planning and fundraising, the community’s first real chance to test out the new diamonds was both a celebration and a sign of things to come. With momentum growing and community support steady, the Rec Club is aiming to build on its success and continue improving the facilities for future seasons.
“We’re still figuring out what our next fundraising event might be, but people can keep up with us on our Facebook page,” he notes. “We’re always posting updates and asking for feedback there, and if anyone wants to reach out directly, they can email us at woodlandsreccenter@outlook.com or give me a call at 204-461-2510.”
With the diamonds officially broken in and strong support from players and families alike, it’s clear that the Rec Club’s efforts are already making a lasting impact, and Saturday’s tournament was just the start of what’s to come.
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