The Eastern Eagles soccer tournament last weekend was a success on so many levels.

Coming on the heels of a recent Statistics Canada report that once again raised concerns about childhood obesity, the athletes who took part in this event are to be congratulated for choosing an activity that is a great way to stay in shape.

Many of the players, particularly at the older levels, are combining their love of sports with summer jobs and it can be a real balancing act for both the children and their parents who have to drive them across the province and beyond --- always ready with a cheer and an encouraging word no matter what the result on the field.

The organizers of the event deserve a huge pat on the back. Planning a schedule for 85 teams is no easy task. I once scheduled a softball tournament for six teams and that was bad enough.

I just can’t imagine all the work associated with a number approaching triple digits. For someone like me who is mathematically challenged, it would no doubt drive my brain into overload.

While minor sports are not big business like the professional leagues, they are good for business.

The tournament attracted 1,700 players and coaches from across the Atlantic Provinces. That’s not even counting the parents, siblings and grandparents who provided both the transportation and the cheering section.

Restaurants reported one of the busiest weekends of the year. Sir Isaac’s Restaurant, for example, served over 90 people Saturday night--all of them associated with the tournament. Gas stations and stores also saw added traffic throughout the event and virtually all of the accommodations in the immediate area were booked.

The organizers received plenty of praise from participating coaches and officials regarding the facilities. The Montague area is indeed fortunate to have such a first class facility like the Eastern Eagles Complex but that didn’t happen by accident either.

It is due to a lot of hard work and foresight by those involved with soccer in the area over the past several years.

However, the event also points out once again the need for hotel accommodations within the town. That’s is not taking anything away from the accommodations that are being offered in the area now. However, if the town and surrounding area wants to expand events like the Eastern Eagles soccer tournament and hopefully attract other sporting events, the accommodations have to be there.

That is especially true during the fall and winter months when the seasonal accommodations are closed. Having said that, any new facilities have to be commercially viable.

That can create somewhat of a “catch 22” situation-- the region can’t attract more events like Eastern Eagles tournament because it doesn’t have the accommodations and it can’t get the accommodations because it doesn’t have the volume of business.