Cricket enthusiasts in Winnipeg are excited as two new cricket pitches, one for youth at Chancellor Park in Waverley Heights and another for adults at Bridgwater Lakes Park, are set to be completed this month. According to a city news release, the public will have access to these pitches by next spring.
Paramjit Shahi, president of the Manitoba Cricket Association, highlighted the necessity of the new pitches, highlighting that the sport has been rapidly expanding in the province. He explained that cricket has grown significantly in Manitoba, with over 2,000 registered players and 23,000 more participating recreationally.
"In the last four or five years, we've seen the number of teams increase from 18 to 67," Shahi shared with CBC News.
However, the available facilities in Winnipeg haven’t kept up with this growth. Currently, there are only nine pitches in the city, none of which are regulation-size. With upgrades underway at Assiniboine Park’s cricket pitch, Shahi noted that six to eight new teams had to be turned away due to the lack of sufficient playing grounds.
Some players have even resorted to using car parks and baseball diamonds for informal cricket games. "We’ve witnessed numerous unofficial cricket tournaments and softball matches taking place in baseball fields because of the scarcity of proper grounds," Shahi added.
Cricket players like Lakhwinder Virk, who plays for the Winnipeg Shooters, welcome the news of additional grounds. He explained that travelling to places like Brandon or Winkler just to play can be challenging. "It's tough waking up at 5 a.m. to drive two hours for a game," Virk said. He is eager to have more local fields available, which will make it easier to host more tournaments and finish the season before the weather turns cold.
For many in the community, cricket is more than just a game; it’s a way to stay connected. Abdul Baten, president of the Canada-Bangladesh Association of Manitoba, mentioned that finding a cricket community was a top priority when he moved to Canada. “Cricket connects us,” he said, sharing that news of the new pitches had people in the community celebrating.
While the additional grounds are a welcome development, Baten raised concerns about the cost of playing. With team registration fees for tournaments at Assiniboine Park potentially reaching $4,000, he hopes the city will collaborate with the cricket association to make the new pitches more affordable for everyone.
The total budget for the two new pitches, which amounts to just over $200,000, was funded by all three levels of government and the South Winnipeg Community Centre. The cricket association is also in discussions with the city to better align booking times for matches, which can last five to six hours. Currently, cricketers must reserve grounds for 12 hours, even though they may not use them for that entire duration.
As cricket continues to grow in popularity, the Manitoba Cricket Association is aiming to establish 15 to 16 pitches across the city to meet increasing demand.