Iqaluit softball players bat late into the night under new lights
New LED lights installed at the city’s ball park allow for late night games
New LED lights have been installed around Iqaluit’s ball park, lighting up the city’s diamond and allowing softball league players to compete in late night games as fall approaches. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Nighttime softball games will no longer be a rare sight in Iqaluit during the fall, now that LED lights have been installed on the city’s diamond.
Recently, the Lonely Fans and the Ruthless Babes, two C division teams in the Iqaluit Slo-Pitch League, found themselves batting until 10 p.m. in the ballpark. Previously, that wouldn’t have been possible.
The Lonely Fans and the Ruthless Babes, two C division teams in the Iqaluit slo-pitch league, play a nighttime playoff game on Aug. 28. (Photo by Corey Larocque)
“The biggest thing is that the new lights allow us to play later in the season as it gets darker earlier,” said Benjaman Westwell, manager of the Lonely Fans.
After receiving unanimous approval from city council in June, the lights were installed by Canadrill Ltd. on Aug. 10.
Purchasing and shipping the lights cost a “ballpark figure of $38,000,” said Dean Dominix, president of the Iqaluit softball league. The league paid for the lights, Qulliq Energy Corp. provided the poles and wiring, while the installation was provided by Canadrill Ltd.
“They’re good now for the next 50 years,” Dominix said. “It was long overdue, as the league and I started talking about putting up lights four years ago. But here we are, and I’m amazed.”
A longtime softball player himself, Dominix said he felt “pretty proud” to be able to play ball late into the night under the new lights.
“Along with city council’s support and the help of key people, I would also thank the actual players in our league,” he said. The league has 18 teams and more than 440 players.
“If it wasn’t for these teams pitching in their own money, paying a fee to play ball, it would not have been possible for us to accumulate funds over four years.”
While the lights have been in use for nearly a month, Dominix still hopes to host a small ceremony to celebrate all three sets of lights being switched on.
He plans to invite Brett MacNeil, Iqaluit’s director of recreation, and Steve England, the city’s chief administrative officer, among other city officials.
The date for the ceremony has yet to be finalized.
I propose naming the ballpark R.L. Hanson Field
Dr Patterson ball park
You spelled Daddy P wrong!