The Slo-Pitch National Championships return to the City’s Mission Recreation Park Friday, Aug. 3 through Monday, Aug. 6.

This will be the third time the championships are held in Kelowna – and this year’s tournament will the largest of the three thanks to park upgrades completed in 2012.

“We’re looking forward to this weekend’s event, because this will be the first time the new lights on baseball diamonds 5 and 6 will be used,” says Don Backmeyer, Sport & Event Development Manager. “Upgrades and improvements are important to attract new or returning events to our city and they benefit our community members who use these fields for sport leagues and everyday recreational activities.”

In 2009, the Slo-Pitch National Championships used newly constructed baseball diamonds 5 and 6, which will again be used in this year’s tournament. The City invested $600,000 in lighting this year to allow for night games on these diamonds – an improvement that contributed to the championship returning to Kelowna this weekend.

A total of 42 teams from across Canada, including two all the way from Newfoundland, will participate in this four-day event, which is free for families attend.

For more information on recreation facilities and programs, visit kelowna.ca/recreation.