Ile des Chenes is about to become the cornhole capital of the Southeast. 

Cindy Neil says a group of her friends inspired her to start the Ile des Chenes Cornhole League. 

“There is a group of us that go out in the summer to a seasonal site and we always play cornhole all summer long and we were finding that we missed it during the winter. We also wanted to find something to do, to get up off of the couch and get out of the house and just move around a little. So, this was suggested by a bunch of friends.” 

Neil notes she contacted the RM of Ritchot and they have been very supportive throughout the planning process. In addition, she says she's been working with the TC Energy Centre, registering players, and getting the word out. 

“I also had to work out how we were going to get boards and bags and the municipality, again, is lending us some and we're ordering some more. My husband's going to be a big help later because he's really good at organizing tournaments and stats and stuff like that, so I'm expecting that he'll be a big help as well as all of the friends that I have that regularly play cornhole.” 

The Ile des Chene Cornhole League will run Thursday evenings at 6:30 at the TC Energy Centre from February 1st to May 9th.  

Neil says “I believe that the people in Ile des Chenes are going to bring their best cornhole abilities to the table here and I know that a lot of people have some experience in this area. II think there'll be room for people who are looking to test their skills as well as room for people who are just learning and just want to get out and have a good time.” 

There are still some spots available, and Neil says those that are interested are encouraged to visit the Ile des Chene Cornhole League Facebook page. 

When asked about her own cornhole skill level, Neil laughs, noting “I think I'm probably not too bad, I could hold my own and every once in a while, I get a lucky streak, but the same thing can happen in reverse, it's anybody's game. You never know what's going to happen until the last bag is tossed.”