Peter L. Smith
Published online September 23, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
L’ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES — Thirty years after the community celebrated the opening of its ball diamond, residents gathered again Saturday, September 19, to mark the reopening of the newly revitalized St. Joseph ballpark.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a new sign officially identifying the grounds as Parc St-Joseph Park, followed by an exhibition baseball game and activities celebrating the park’s history.
L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Mayor Corey Spence said the revitalization was made possible through financial assistance from Quebec’s recreational, sports and outdoor infrastructure program and the Fonds régions et ruralité (FRR) Vitalisation stream, administered through MRC Pontiac by the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation. The Municipality of L’Isle-aux-Allumettes also contributed to the project.
Spence used the occasion to recall the park’s beginnings exactly three decades earlier.
“Thirty years ago today, the St. Joseph Recreation Association celebrated the grand opening of its new ball diamond thanks to the generosity of the late Gerald McGuire, who donated the land,” Spence said.
“This is what community is all about — people working together, giving something of themselves and thinking not only about today but about generations to come.”
Charlie McGuire, son of Gerald McGuire and a former member of the St. Joseph Jets, threw the ceremonial first pitch. An exhibition game followed between youth players from St. Joseph and Chapeau and a team from Fort-Coulonge.
The celebration also looked back at the community’s baseball history. Memorabilia displayed inside the St. Joseph Centre for Families and Seniors included jerseys from former teams, including the St. Joseph Jets and St. Joseph Rockets, along with historic photographs and a slideshow.
Residents attending the reopening were also treated to free hamburgers and hot dogs.
L to R: Winston Sunstrum, Denzil Spence, Paul Martin(kneeling), Harry Neville, Richard McGuire, Brian Adam, and Charlie McGuire – former ballplayers.
