Spruce Grove ballpark, refund delays frustrate season-ticket holders
Jennifer Vachon and Sandie Miller both bought season tickets for the Energy City Cactus Rats in anticipation of watching the Western Canada Baseball League team in a new ballpark being built in Spruce Grove.
The problem is construction of the stadium isn't finished, and from the looks of it, it won't be ready this season.
Vachon spent $1,600 for four season tickets in 2023, when the team was known as the Edmonton Prospects and its new home field was under construction and had been for more than a year at that point.
The Spruce Grove resident said she and her family were excited by the idea of watching games in a new stadium with promises of on-site entertainment, a microbrewery and an outdoor amphitheatre.
However, that was then. It's two years later and the stadium sits partly finished on the eastern edge of the town a 10-minute drive from Edmonton's western city limit.
Spruce Grove Ballpark
A 2025 aerial view of the under-construction Energy City Metro Ball Park, far right, in Spruce Grove, Alta.
(Google Maps)
'It was something we wanted to do as a family, but now, with everything going on and the kids getting older, we just don't have the time for season tickets anymore,' Vachon told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday. 'I'd love to purchase single tickets and come as much as possible.'
Miller said she and her husband are also frustrated they've paid for seats that they can't sit in.
They spent $1,050 on two season seats for home games this year.
Miller said the Cactus Rats anticipated a home-opening game in the new ballpark late last month then pushed the date further and further into July.
'At that point, I said I wanted a refund because I know it's not going to be open this year and I can't commit to next year,' she told CTV News Edmonton.
Spruce Grove ballpark
Energy City Metro Ball Park under construction on July 3, 2025, in Spruce Grove, Alta.
(Nav Sangha/CTV News Edmonton)
Instead, in an email, the team told Miller it would be playing its first home games July 5 and 6 at Spruce Grove's Henry Singer Ball Park, where there is no seating. It would cost an additional $30 for both games and people would be allowed to bring their own chairs if they wished.
She said she doesn't want to 'go sit in a field and watch a ball game.'
'I want the whole experience of the stadium and everything they promised,' Miller said.
Miller has been put on a refund list, but in a statement to CTV News Edmonton, the Cactus Rats said 'our ticket policies, including those regarding refunds, align with the broader Western Canadian Baseball League standards.'
'Under those guidelines, refunds are not issued, even in cases of venue-related disruptions,' the team wrote, adding 'all 2025 season ticket holders have received a full credit toward 2026 season tickets.'
The Cactus Rats said while they're 'deeply disappointed' with their ballpark construction delays, 'we've continued to press forward with the season at alternate venues.'
Henry Singer Ball Park
A baseball diamond at Spruce Grove's Henry Singer Ball Park on July 3, 2025.
(Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)
The club has played the first six weeks of the WCBL season on the road and used Fort McMurray's ballpark as their home venue for a clutch of late June games.
The league's regular season is scheduled to end on Aug. 4 followed by the playoffs. If the season had ended Wednesday, the Cactus Rats – currently fourth place in the West Division with a record of 12-17 – would be in the WCBL post-season.
Still, Vachon says he 'doesn't think it's right' if she doesn't get a refund.
'It's my money, and we've just heard nothing, and they are kind of saying that a full credit can be used for next year, but like I said, our life has changed,' she said. 'I cannot spend $1,600 in tickets next season, so it's left me a little sour with them. It's frustrating.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Downtown Kitchener businesses believe food trucks drove away their Canada Day sales
Some businesses in downtown Kitchener are accusing food trucks of driving away their Canada Day business. CTV's Karis Mapp reports.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Toronto FC beaten 3-1 by New York City FC in first game since buying out Italian DPs
New York City FC forward Hannes Wolf (left) celebrates his goal against Toronto FC, during the first half of an MLS soccer match on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Eduardo Munoz Alvarez NEW YORK — Toronto FC, in its first outing since buying out the contacts of Italian designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, was beaten 3-1 by New York City FC in the lone MLS game Thursday. Hannes Wolf, Mitja Ilenic and Kevin O'Toole scored for New York (9-7-4). Eight of NYCFC's wins have come at home (8-3-0). The win moved NYCFC up three places to sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, seven places and 14 points above Toronto. While Toronto (4-11-5) was competitive at Yankee Stadium, its offence was stagnant in the first half. There wasn't much offence until Ola Brynhildsen and Theo Corbeanu both tested New York 'keeper Tomas Romero around the hour mark. At the other end it too often allowed NYCFC attackers too clear a path to TFC's goal. "(It's) disappointing because I thought we more than started well," said Toronto coach Robin Fraser. "I thought for a lot of the game we were really good. And really solid. "Mistakes. Mistakes did us in. We're disappointed in the result, partially because we know how badly we need results. But really I'm proud of the effort. The effort was great. There were a couple of mental lapses that ended up costing us too much. But so many guys played so well and put in a real honest shift. It's just disappointing when you do so many things well and you still come out on this side of it." New York outshot Toronto 10-8 (5-2 in shots on target). Toronto started brightly but found itself trailing 1-0 in the 20th minute when, after a NYCFC free kick, a cross found Wolf and the Austrian midfielder's stylish left-footed volley went in after beating Sean Johnson and hitting both goalposts. It was the ninth goal of the season for Wolf and his sixth in his last six games. Ilenic doubled the lead in the 49th minute, sticking out a leg to deflect in Agustín Ojeda's cross after the Argentine winger had been allowed to race towards the Toronto goal without challenge. Ilenic, a 20-year-old Slovenian international fullback, marked his second goal of the season with Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark celebration. Toronto cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 70th minute via an own goal. Corbeanu beat a defender down the right flank, reached the byline and sent in a cross that deflected off defender Justin Haak and then Romero into the goal. O'Toole restored New York's two-goal lead in the 74th minute. Kosi Thompson was dispossessed and Maxi Moralez passed the ball to Wolf, who found O'Toole unchecked in the Toronto penalty box. The substitute dribbled towards goal and beat Johnson with a low shot. Fraser went with the same lineup that beat visiting Portland 3-0 Saturday in what was TFC's best performance of the season. Toronto moved the ball around but showed little in front of goal in a first half that saw both teams attempt four shots with NYCFC holding a 2-0 edge in shots on target. TFC defender Kevin Long was shown a yellow card in the second minute with midfielder Matty Longstaff following him into referee Fotis Bazakos' book in the 20th minute. Defender Richie Laryea, back from Gold Cup duty with Canada, came on in the 57th minute. Maxime Dominguez became the third TFC player to be cautioned after a tussle with Ilenic in the 67th minute. Thompson made his 100th appearance for TFC in all competitions. New York forward Alonso Martínez returned from international duty with Costa Rica but goalkeeper Matt Freese, the hero of the American penalty shootout quarterfinal win over Honduras, remains at the Gold Cup. Romero, an El Salvador international and former Toronto player, started in goal for NYCFC. Canadian Greg Ranjitsingh, his backup, also had a stint with TFC. Toronto defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Zane Monlouis and Henry Wingo remain long-term casualties. Captain Jonathan Osorio was also out, recovering from a lower-body injury suffered with Canada, while midfielder Deybi Flores played in Honduras's 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinal Wednesday in California. Toronto signed TFC 2 defender Reid Fisher and midfielder Malik Henry to MLS short-term agreements for the game. Originally drafted by CF Montreal in the second round (39th overall) in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Henry's promotion cost Toronto a third-round draft pick in 2026 with US$75,000 in conditional general allocation money, given Montreal had retained his MLS priority rights. Henry came on in the 70th minute, picking up a yellow soon after. Toronto has had little success at NYCFC with a 1-6-5 regular-season record there. The lone win was a 1-0 decision on Sept. 23, 2020, thanks to a 90th-minute Alejandro Pozuelo penalty in a game played at Red Bull Arena. TFC has won two playoff games at NYCFC. Up next, Toronto hosts Atlanta United on July 12 while NYCFC visits Charlotte FC. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025 The Canadian Press
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Teenage girls in Alberta are signing up for football like never before: official
Football Alberta says it's seeing a record number of teenage girls taking an interest in the sport. CTV News Edmonton's Evan Kenny has the details. Edmonton's top women's football team, the Edmonton Arctic Pride, took part in the league championship for the first time over the weekend, falling to the Saskatoon Valkyries. It was the Edmonton team's first season in the Western Women's Canadian Football League. Head coach Marcus Henry is still proud of his team and is excited to see what they can do next year. 'With this first year and how well we did, I think it's going to draw a lot of attention and build the game even more,' he told CTV News Edmonton. 'I'm already thinking about next season. I think we're gonna have a lot more athletes out now, and my goal is to win the championship.' Bibi Suzuki quarterbacked her team to the finals. She's been playing for the past seven years and remembers discovering Edmonton's top women's team. 'To know there was a women's team I could join when I was older just brought comfort to me,' she said. It's a big reason many other girls are staying on the gridiron Football Alberta has been open to women for some time, mainly in older levels. It says it's now seeing more high-school- and junior-high-school-aged girls signing up to play. 'Women are really taking to the game, they've got a lot of great leadership, we're developing a lot of great coaches and it's been really fun to watch,' Tim Enger of Football Alberta said. 'If people want to play football, regardless of their gender, we'll find a place for you.' Five years ago, Football Alberta added an under-18 provincial women's team. Because of the sport's growth, the organization is adding an under-16 team. 'It's growing like a weed at this stage, which is really positive,' Enger said. 'We've got two strong leagues now that are going in both Edmonton and Calgary areas that both expand to some of the rural areas as well. Red Deer has a team in the Calgary league.' It's a new generation Suzuki is excited to be a role-model for, just like ones she had while learning the game. 'I remember thinking, 'Wow, I want to be like her so much,' and to be that kind of person for somebody is – I feel really proud,' Suzuki said. She'll take some of those younger players under her wing on the Arctic Pride next season, this time, looking to finish the job in the championship.
