On Wednesday evening, the facilities were celebrated by members of the softball and baseball team, along with some parents and administration. Many thanks were given from students, including three who spoke that night. Abby Valone, Zoey Kota, and Gavin Phillips all expressed their appreciation for the work everybody did to make these new fields possible.

“On behalf of the Gowanda Softball Program, I would like to thank the Gowanda community, parents, faculty, staff, and Board of Education members who fought to get a second vote on turf fields and lights,” Valone said. “The fight for this beautiful complex did not go unnoticed. Thank you for having our teams’ and community’s best interest at heart. … This field might not seem like it’s a big deal to most, but this is the place that we will score that game winning run, lose the close one, and for some, play our last game of softball.”

Former President of the Board of Education Ronald Cook spoke as well, thanking Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson for the work he had done to get the fields looking so sharp. He explained the programs that will take place on the fields will not only be good for students playing, but will heighten “Panther Pride” throughout the district once they start playing on it next year.

“On behalf of the Gowanda Baseball team and I, we thank everyone for making this effort. Thank you to the community, the board, my coaches, and the athletic director, my mom,” Phillips said. “Never did I think this was going to be the best field complex in Western New York. I can’t wait to see the teams that are going to play on the fields. We will definitely get our money’s worth from the fields, when it’s nice out you’ll probably see at least one of us on the field every day.”

The ribbon was cut and the fields were officially opened. Dr. Anderson commented on his appreciation for the board and the community for supporting the fields. “I think this is going to be a tremendous field for years to come,” he said. “I’m really excited to see the boys and girls out here playing baseball and softball.”