LOWER SOUTH RIVER, N.S. — As the last out was recorded, the 2019 softball season came to a close; and the ballfield in Lower South River (LSR) was certainly at the center of it all.
LSR ballfield was the most used in the county. The location hosted the junior high school girls’ play-downs, senior high school girls’ play-downs, many weekend tournaments, washer toss tournaments, a co-ed league, a men’s league, tractor-pulls and much more.
With a field this active, a lot of work is needed to keep the facilities up to par and there were many who came together to make sure that happened.
Friends of the field would like to thank, first off, the owner of the property the field is on – Gorden MacMillan – who graciously allows the field to be enjoyed by the entire community.
LSR ballfield benefitted greatly from a major financial contribution from the Municipality of the County of Antigonish.
The county’s generous support allowed for some long overdue renovations to be completed, including; the deck in front of the canteen had rotted away and had to be rebuilt, and the roofs on the two building had to be repaired after years of leaking caused significant damage. For a time, the canteen and storage buildings were unusable.
Rotten bleachers have also been replaced and a well was dug so the bathrooms could, once again, function. There were also upgrades to the playing fields, fences repaired, and more.
As well, for the first time in recent memory, all of the lights were operational.
“They were repaired by the late Trevor MacKay; if you see the lights on at the field, think of him,” the friends of LSR ballfield urge.
The friends would like to thank that many volunteers and businesses that made 2019 a success. The list includes; Ryan and Steven MacIsaac for digging the well, Dustin Landry for doing all plumbing, Ian Tate Plumbing for donating plumbing materials, Casey Concrete for providing crocks at cost, MMI Roofing & Carpentry Inc. for doing all carpentry and donating their genie lift, Kell’s Enterprises for their work on the field, Alva Construction for donating crusher dust, Brendan MacInnis for use of his tractor, Here’s Your Sign for making the signage, and Jen and Jason Farrell as well as Ashley MacInnis for coming every week to help with grounds keeping.
As well to the many others who helped the trio with grounds keeping.
Gerard MacKay and Rob Crispo were also on the list for “many hours volunteering” and “a special thank you” went out to Matthew MacInnis for “being team leader of LSR ballfield and making everything come together.”
There is still more work to come in 2020, the friends note.
“Watch out for fund raising events. We are hoping the other levels of government will see the value in our community field and help out.”
