The effort to build a new softball complex in the City of Brandon officially began last Monday with the launching of the Sod for Softball campaign.
 In recognizing the need for a new, self-contained softball facility, the Westman Softball Association has organized with Brandon Mixed Softball, Brandon Slo-Pitch, Westman Old-timers and Community Softball under the Ashley Neufeld Complex Inc.
“Softball has lost diamonds over the past few years to construction, other sports, flooding, etc.,” said Ashley Neufeld Complex Inc. president Brett Turner.
“At the same time, we are seeing an increase in demand for diamonds because of an increase in teams.”
The planned $1.5 million facility will include four full-sized diamonds, four mini-diamonds for youth aged 4 – 10 and a building that will house the canteen, washrooms and changing rooms.
A new facility will address a growing need for ball diamonds in Brandon, revitalize the south side of the river and replace facilities that been lost in recent years.
 The City of Brandon has already provided a parcel of land in the 1000 block of Parker Boulevard, and the Sod for Softball campaign is the first step in the fundraising effort to begin construction of the facility.
“We know that softball is an increasingly popular sporting choice for folks in Brandon, but we also know that they can’t flourish without the proper facility,” Brandon Mayor Shari Decter Hirst said.

“The City of Brandon is proud of the extremely talented athletes it produces and, as such, is proud to support this push to construct a facility that meets their needs.”
  The new complex will also provide Brandon with an opportunity to host major Softball Manitoba and Softball Canada competitions, which will increase economic opportunities for the community.
 “In last 15 years Brandon has hosted 12 Provincials Championships, three Western Canadian Championships and three Canadian Championships,” added Turner.
“Without a proper facility we can no longer host these events.”
 “Brandon has carved out a reputation for hosting successful, high-calibre softball championships,” noted Decter Hirst.
“To be able to continue that success, everyone needs to support the push for a proper facility. I’m extremely proud to contribute and I encourage all those in the community to help build this facility, yard-by-yard.”  
 The Sod for Softball campaign gives contributors chance to buy a figurative ‘yard of sod’ for $10.00, with all contributors being recognized at the new facility.
 Pamphlets for the Sod for Softball Campaign are available at Source for Sports and Sport Chek in Brandon while more information on the Westman Softball Association website at www.westmansoftball.com.  You can also donate online at www.ashleyneufeldcomplex.com or by mail to: Ashley Neufeld Complex Inc., P.O. Box 50011, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 7E4.