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The Kelowna Adult softball Association has donated money to the City for maintenance and improvements to the Mission softball complex. (file photo Chris Stanford)
Contributed
Softball is one of the biggest participation sports in the Central Okanagan and players have already benefitted from improvements to the busy ball fields at the Mission Receration park courtesy of a $180,000 donation from the Kelowna Adult Softball Asscociation.
KASA recently donated the funds to the City of Kelowna for general improvements to the facility, which includes six ball diamonds that are used for league games and tournaments throughout the softball season.
Kelowna hosted both national and provincial championship events for mens’ and ladies’ slo-pitch this summer, bringing hundreds of competitors, their families and fans to Kelowna.
For the past four years, KASA has managed the liquor licence at the Mission Sportsfield Softball Complex and has directed all proceeds back into softball-related projects. Some of the $180,000 in funds were recently used to enlarge diamond No. 4, extending the outfield fence from 275 feet to 315 feet to create a field large enough to handle the most prestigious slo-pitch events.
“The improvements are already having an impact,” said KASA director Chris Jones. “The Mission sportfields are becoming the tournament venue of choice for British Columbia and these improvements will allow us to bid on more events.”
The ball fields are part of the sprawling Mission Recreation Park that also features four soccer fields, playground, trails and natural wetlands, along with the H2O Adventure & Fitness Centre and the CNC hockey rinks.
“Sports tourism is an area where Kelowna continues to excel,” says Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “Our partnership with KASA is a great way to allocate additional funds to priorities identified by the association for the ball parks.”
For more information go to kelowna.ca.
Tags: Kelowna adults softball asscociation, Mission recreation complex
