The forecast in the soon-to-be-approved 2024 capital budget shows $140,000 for cricket facility design fees this year and $2.37 million for construction in 2026.
Not only does it look like the City of North Bay’s twin-pad arena and community center project will be moving forward at the Steve Omishal Sports Complex location on Lakeshore Drive, but ice sports fans may soon join athletes performing in a different Are. The type of bats commonly seen in those parts.
During recent budget deliberations, A forecast found in the soon-to-be-approved 2024 capital budget This includes a line of $140,000 for cricket facility design fees this year and a projected $2.37 million for construction in 2026.
“We’re going to try to get funding for an additional $70,000. We have $70,000 to start,” said Ian Kilgour, director of community services. “Staff have already started site searches. With that money, we’ll do some geotechnical work on some of the sites we’re looking at. We’ll start estimating what kind of construction costs we’ll look at for fill. “And drainage and things like that.”
City staff are working with local cricket fans to determine if the existing space can be used or redeveloped as a new cricket space, but the need for a playing surface is great. According to this guide, cricket ground Their total diameter ranges from 137–152 meters (450–500 ft) and total area up to 18,000 square meters or about 200,000 ft². The rectangular cricket pitch itself is located in the center of the field and is surrounded by an oval field with a radius of 27.4 meters (90′) from the center of each wicket.
Now, it appears that the plan is to finalize a location for the cricket ground and complete detailed design and cost estimates. In the last decade, cricketers have been playing in venues with limited fields, such as Amelia Park in North Bay or near the community center in Callender., If construction begins in 2026, the facility is expected to be completed by that autumn.
Changing demographics in North Bay have led to the arrival of hundreds of cricketers – many from South Asia – who have few venues to play the game that is competed in by many countries around the world. Cricket Canada estimates that depending on immigration patterns, the number of players in Canada could reach half a million by the mid-2030s, making it Canada’s fastest growing sport. according to us National Institute of Health, approximately 2.5 billion people of all ages and abilities participate. 50 lakh people in India, 14 lakh people in Australia and 300,000 people in the UK play cricket. Cricket is also the most popular spectator sport in India.
An opinion piece by betodayThe immigration columnist and a flurry of letters to the editor in late February identified the need for proper cricket facilities in the city.
see related, Don Curry, why is it taking so long to find a home for cricket in this city?
see also, Letter: Lack of permanent cricket pitch ‘disappointing’
Councilor Mark King suggested during budget talks that space could be found for a new cricket pitch at the Steve Omishle Sports Complex, with a site being approved alongside the construction of a new community centre.
Kilgour was receptive to King’s ideas.
“Councillor King, you are right, this is a site that is being considered. It could be beneficial. We will have to look at other sites but it is certainly a site that is being considered. Is.”
“If this is the site that’s chosen, there’s obviously synergy with the design,” said CAO John Severino, adding the twin-pad area and community center are limited by the scope of the project at this point, due to its tight construction. Due to this complications may increase. The deadline may therefore have to come after the construction of the cricket pitch community centre.
In late February, councilors Sarah Inch and Jamie Lowery created a joint presentation In support of building a cricket ground – in response to a letter criticizing the idea,
In their letter, Inch and Lowry wrote, “Encouraging participation in cricket and other sports is a celebration of the diversity of our community and a step towards building a more inclusive society where everyone can find a sense of belonging. It’s about recognizing and valuing contributions.” All community members, celebrating our differences, and finding common ground in activities that bring happiness, health, and unity.
“Let’s not limit our understanding of community and culture to the games we traditionally know. Instead, let’s embrace the new and diverse contributions that enrich our collective identity. Supporting Cricket It’s not about supporting just one sport, it’s about supporting our community’s diversity and dynamic future.”
