EDMONTON – Participants of this past weekend’s slo-pitch tournament in Wabamun are demanding answers over where their money went.
Each of the 12 teams paid an entry fee of $350, with organizer Jim McHardy promising the top finishing teams cash prizes. The money, though, has yet to be handed over.
Instead, the participants have been told they’ll get paid in about a week, something Jennifer Vanderbrink felt “was very odd because usually it’s cash pay-out and right away.”
Questions also remain over proceeds of a $15 pig roast dinner, organized by McHardy as well. Locals stepped up to help cook the food, and a portion of the ticket sales was supposed to go to charity. But the U of A Burn Unit and the Firefighters’ Burn Treatment Society both confirm they have not yet received a donation.
Fred Lindsay, the village’s mayor, has heard the complaints. He says Wabamun’s only involvement was renting out the fields for a music festival and ball tournament.
“We definitely won’t be renting out our facilities to that individual again,” he said.
Global News reached out to the organizer by phone and email on Monday, however, we have not received a response.
“I would certainly encourage him,” said the mayor, “to come through with all the promises he made.”
RCMP confirm they have received a complaint and have launched an investigation.
The Wabamun tournament was not sanctioned by Slo-Pitch National, but the Alberta chapter is urging all players to do their research before signing up for a tournament and submitting an entry fee.
With files from Kendra Slugoski, Global News
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