p.e.i.’s first artificial turf baseball field opens at mill river resort
3 minute read
don mcdougall, right, prepares to throw the ceremonial first pitch to premier rob lantz at don mcdougall park at the mill river resort in p.e.i.
kristin gardiner
/
journal pioneer
woodstock, p.e.i. — a new baseball field in western p.e.i. can make the claim it’s the province’s first artificial turf field.
the don mcdougall park, located at the mill river resort, has been a project years in the making, and celebrated with a formal grand opening on july 31.
it’s named after don mcdougall, ceo and owner of mill river resort, who was part of the team that helped create the toronto blue jays in the 1970s.
mcdougall was present at the celebration, throwing the ceremonial first pitch to p.e.i. premier rob lantz to formally open the park.
“it’s kind of overwhelming to be at this event,” he said. “i’d just like to say, it’s a lot different than playing baseball on george callaghan’s cow pasture.” the crowd laughed at the joke.
don mcdougall, owner of the mill river resort, cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the new don mcdougall park, a baseball field in western p.e.i. among the dignitaries taking part in the ceremony was ellis ferrish, age 10, who is the 2026 children’s miracle network champion for the iwk.
kristin gardiner
/
journal pioneer
benefit young players
the park, mcdougall said, will benefit young baseball players and fans alike.
“other than to be immensely proud of what has been accomplished here,” said mcdougall, “i’m very very hopeful for the youths of west prince developing over the years … all i can say is, enjoy your stay, come back and enjoy this special place.”
during her speech, baseball p.e.i. executive director rhonda pauls highlighted mcdougall, thanking him for donating the land that the field now sits on.
“(it) gave baseball p.e.i. the foundation, literally and figuratively, to imagine something transformative for west prince and for prince edward island,” she said to him. “your name on this park will recognize the gift, but your real legacy will be seen in every child who takes the field, every family that gathers here and every memory that is created in this place.”
waylon doucette, left and skylar desroches are two western summer clinicians who play for the u18 aa minor western mariners and attended the official opening of the don mcdougall park, the team’s new home field. nicole ready doucette with the western baseball association, right, is glad to see baseball grow in western p.e.i.
kristin gardiner
/
journal pioneer
growing the sport
the opening of the ball field is a “dream come true” for nicole ready doucette, vice-president of the western baseball association and president of baseball p.e.i. developments inc.
advertisement
baseball in western p.e.i. is growing, she said, and four teams will call the new field home.
“we have over 400 kids that play ball, and a lot of the numbers are younger, like our rally cap groups are huge,” said ready doucette. “we keep those kids playing? we’re gonna end up running out of fields for them to be playing on. getting a new field, it’s great.”
since the field opened, ready doucette said it has been used every day, between baseball teams as well as rentals.
“the support has been unbelievable,” she said. “i have not heard anything negative at all about this field. nothing. nothing. everybody’s always, you know, ‘what’s the latest update? when’s it gonna be open?’ it’s been very exciting.”
even though the field has welcomed players onto the field and held a celebration, the work isn’t done. ready doucette said there are plans for a batting cage, a scoreboard and lights for night games.
don mcdougall gives a speech at the opening of his namesake park. mcdougall, mill river resort owner, was proud to see the ball field become reality, and he is excited for island youth come out to play baseball on the new field.
kristin gardiner
/
journal pioneer
on the field
as of the grand opening, skylar desroches with the u18 aa minor western mariners had already played a few games on the new field.
desroches has been playing baseball since he was around five years old. he loves the opportunity it brings, to meet new people and travel around to play in different locations.
“it’s pretty good. it’s really fun, actually, playing in this new field,” he said. “it’s a great field. i’m excited.”
before the new field at the resort, the mariners’ home field was in tignish. mill river, he said, is more central for all the players.
“the turf is probably the coolest part,” said desroches. “playing on turf, you get natural bounces. all in all, it’s cool seeing the community come out, too, and support the new field. we get pretty good crowds when we play. it’s nice to see.”
- stay informed: don’t miss the news you need to know. sign up for our newsletter today.
kristin gardiner is a reporter for the journal pioneer in prince edward island. she can be reached at kgardiner@postmedia.com.
share story
