Canadian softball player attempts to tag out a Czechian player back in 2019. (Lukáš Machala/ Facebook)

By Jaryn Vecchio

International Competition

P.A. Softball World Cup Committee looking for $350K from City

Feb 27, 2024 | 7:27 AM

The Prince Albert Softball World Cup Committee is one step closer to getting $350,000 from the City.

P.A.’s council held an executive committee meeting on Monday where they agreed to forward the request to an upcoming council meeting as that’s where all motions are either approved or denied.

The Committee is asking for $100,000 to update the Max Power Ball Fields ahead of the group stage of the XVIII Men’s Softball World Cup happening in July.

“It’s really to reemphasize some of the key features of the park,” said Ian Litzenberger, Co-Chair of the World Cup Committee.

The most important update would be to replace the shale in each of the fields. This material helps players get better traction and also reduces glare from the sun.

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Litzenberger added they also want to purchase an infield tarp and some sun protection for Rotary Field and a new sound system for Kinsmen Field. They also want to upgrade the bullpen at the Kinsmen Field as foul balls can enter the area and potentially hit players.

The remaining $250,000 would help the Committee accommodate all the teams coming to Prince Albert for the group stage and the finals happening next year. Unlike the junior level, the city fully accommodates all teams participating.

“Hosting them, accommodating them, getting them from an international airport to here, and then housing them and feeding them,” explained Litzenberger.

Overall, the Committee’s budget for the two years is around $1.4 million.

If approved, the $350,000 would be all the cash the City is allocating for the tournament. However, they are providing other resources like staff for the event.

For Mayor Greg Dionne, the money is a cheap investment for a tournament that’s gonna bring in a lot more than that.

“It’s gonna be huge, we already have two hotels that are sold out and it’s still four months away,” he said.

The money would come out of the Destination Marketing Fund which generates funds through a levy that is applied to all hotels in Prince Albert based on their assessed value.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @princealbertnow