Water treatment equipment provider gives largest donation in its 35-year history to the project

Goffstown Junior Baseball players will high-five their teammates in style this spring thanks to a $15,000 equipment donation from Secondwind Water Systems.

Teams will have new, painted dugouts and benches in place before players take the field, says Melissa Leroux, Secondwind’s marketing manager.

“We are excited to report that the dugouts are nearly complete. They will be painted and the benches will be added in time for spring sports,” Leroux says in an email.

The new dugouts at Goffstown Junior Baseball fields will be ready in time for players this spring thanks to a $15,000 donation from Secondwind Water Systems.

Photos courtesy Kevin Provencher Building & Remodeling.

Goffstown Junior Baseball League board of directors Vice President RJ Brown referred to the Boston Red Sox’s distinctive shade of green used at Fenway Park, saying the dugouts will also get a fresh coat of “Monster green” paint once the weather allows.

Brown, who has volunteered at the sports organization nonprofit for about five years and is Secondwind Water Systems’ water specialists manager, says the dugouts clearly needed help.

“They were in need of serious repair with rotting roofs and sagging beams. They were converted to above ground from below-ground dugouts, most likely in the ‘90s, and have needed to be replaced for about three years,” says Brown in an email.

It’s unclear when they were last renovated. For a complete teardown and rebuild, Brown was initially unsure where the funding would come from.

“We knew the dugouts needed to be rebuilt, but weren’t sure where to go for the level of financial support we needed to make it happen,” said Brown. So Brown reached out to Secondwind to find financial support.

Leroux, Brown’s colleague, says the company recognized his interest in volunteering and was more than willing to help out.

“He often uses his volunteer time to coach baseball, and so when he let us know about the need for new dugouts and benches, we wanted to try to help,” says Leroux.

Secondwind Water Systems President and CEO Shana Hoch knew her colleague was a sports buff.

“He’s been involved with youth sports for years, and especially has a passion for baseball. When he told us about the need in Goffstown, we were happy to step up and support the team and community in this undertaking,” Hoch says in a press release.

Secondwind Water Systems, a water treatment equipment provider based in Manchester, says while the company often supports employees’ efforts to help nonprofits and events, their direct donation to Goffstown Junior Baseball is the largest in their 35-year history.

“(Brown) let us know how much of an impact our dollars would make for the communities the league serves, and we had a great year, so the timing and opportunities aligned perfectly,” says Leroux.

Kevin Provencher Restoration in Goffstown has been involved in the rebuild and provided the dugouts, according to Brown.

“He has supported the league with donations for years,” says Brown of Provencher.

Goffstown Junior Baseball League President Vanessa Hayes was thankful for Secondwind Water Systems’ influx of funds.

“We count on the generosity of our community partners to provide a top-tier experience to the children and families within our area,” said Hayes in a press release.

Leroux says while the company often supports employees’ causes, their direct donation to Goffstown Junior Baseball is their largest yet.

“I love the new dugouts. (It’s) great new construction, and it shows we are invested in improving the baseball park whenever we can,” says Brown in an email.

Leroux says supporting the community this way was a “natural fit,” adding, “We’re happy we could help.”

Secondwind Water Systems is a full-service water-treatment company that serves more than 15,000 residential and commercial customers around the state as well as commercial businesses in Massachusetts and Maine.

The Goffstown Junior Baseball program serves youth players in six towns: Goffstown, New Boston, Dunbarton, Weare, Hillsboro and Deering.

According to Brown, players range in age from 5 to 12 and play everything “from T-ball to majors divisions.”

The Goffstown Junior Baseball Fields is at 14 Mast Road.