It’s a swing and a hit for Carbonear’s minor softball program

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Children in Carbonear’s minor softball program have an exciting new piece of equipment to hone their batting skills with – a pitching machine.

Recreation committee chairman and councillor Malcolm Seymour told his colleagues Tuesday the machine comes at a cost of $11,384, which includes attachments, accessories, freight, and HST. The money for the purchase will come from the Recreation Commission’s budget.

“They don’t have a separate account per se, or a separate expense as such, but it’s part of funds that they originally had through grants and funds they raised,” said Chief Administrative Officer Cynthia Davis.

Councillor Danielle Doyle noted the recreation commission had its own account in the past but, as a result of changes and updates, the Town’s accountant recommended that such accounts be moved under the auspices of the Town of Carbonear.

“From what I understand, the last time that this pitching machine was purchased was for the 1992 Summer Games,” said Doyle.

She added that she has received many emails requesting the equipment and explaining its importance to the softball program.

In other recreation committee news, the department’s director, Rob Button, said a climbing wall has been installed at the Carbonear pool. Recreation has also purchased an AquaZip’n, which is a zipline designed for use at pools.

“Hopefully that’ll be here soon and add some more fun for the patrons of the pool,” said Button.

A program Carbonear piloted through a partnership with Newfoundland Health Services is being deemed a huge success. The program is for adults 55 years of age and over and focuses on improving strength and balance. Button said the program is at capacity. It started approximately three weeks ago, and some participants have reported they are already feeling better and able to do things they could not do before. Button said the department hopes to grow the program and offer it again in the fall.

And finally, the recreation director is encouraging residents to join in the town’s ParticipACTION Community Challenge. Button said Carbonear is trying to become the most active community in Canada. Carbonear and Paradise have been neck-and-neck in the rankings, with the towns periodically swapping first and second place.

“Seems like it’s going to be a dogfight right to the end,” said Button, “which is always good competition, friendly competition, between our communities.”