Two other sites being considered in the site search include one on the grounds of a former mental hospital on Highway 11 north of town and two sites at the bottom of College Drive near the Canadore student dormitory.
The City of North Bay has streamlined its options for a new cricket pitch and said it is working to have the project completed by 2026 “subject to funding being achieved through available grant opportunities.”
Three recommended locations at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex will be presented to North Bay City Council during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17. If approved, one of the three locations would host the field, but that decision will be made at a later date. Two other locations being considered in the site search include one on the grounds of a former psychiatric hospital on Highway 11 north of the city and two locations at the bottom of College Drive near the Canadore student housing.
See: North Bay City complete cricket pitch location selection scan
The recommendation to the board is to approve the location for the planned regulation-sized cricket field; direct staff to commence preliminary site work including environmental and geotechnical and complete an operations analysis to identify an ideal construction site at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex; and, direct staff to complete Class C and D cost estimates for consideration during the 2025 capital budget deliberations.
The changing demographics of North Bay have led to the arrival of hundreds of cricketers — many from South Asia — with few places to play a sport that is played in many countries around the world. Cricket Canada estimates the number of players in Canada could reach half a million by the mid-2030s, based on immigration patterns, making it the fastest-growing sport in Canada. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, about 2.5 billion people of all ages and abilities participate. Cricket is played by five million people in India, 1.4 million in Australia and 300,000 in the United Kingdom. It is also the most popular spectator sport in India.
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A report from Ian Kilgour, director of community services, said the next steps include a detailed investigation of each of Omischl’s three potential sites, including detailed topographic surveys, geotechnical testing and analysis, environmental approvals and design.
The report also lists the benefits of building a sports complex at the south end of Lakeshore Drive. The complex is adjacent to six existing outdoor sports fields, allowing for operational efficiency, maintenance, and oversight. Regularly scheduled public transportation is available. Capital costs will be minimized due to its proximity to existing infrastructure, such as sewer, water, restrooms, parking, irrigation, and lighting. There are multi-use synergies with the planned Community and Recreation Center (e.g., indoor tournament administration space, and other tournament facilities). In addition, there are anticipated economic impacts on commercial establishments, restaurants, a gas station, and a motel/hotel in West Ferris.
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The design and construction costs of the new cricket pitch are included in the 2024 capital budget with an estimated total project cost of $2,510,000. The construction phase of the project is planned for 2026. The City said it is exploring all funding opportunities and has identified the provincial Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) as a potential partner for funding. CSRIF Stream 2 offers funding for transformative projects that address gaps in recreation programming. “The project has the potential to generate significant economic benefits through increased sport tourism and could attract additional investment as it would expand the range of recreation facility offerings the City has,” the report said.
During budget discussions earlier this year, estimates found in the soon-to-be-approved 2024 capital budget included a $140,000 budget for cricket facility design costs this year with an additional $2.37 million estimated for construction in 2026.
City staff have been working with local cricket enthusiasts to determine whether existing sites can be used or even redeveloped as new cricket venues, but the playing surface required is vast. According to the guidelines, a cricket pitch should have an overall diameter of 137–152 metres (450–500 ft) with a total area of up to 18,000 m² or nearly 200,000 ft². The rectangular cricket pitch itself is located in the centre of the field and is surrounded by an oval inner pitch with a radius of 27.4 m (90′) from the centre of each wicket.
“The City of North Bay currently does not have a dedicated standard sized cricket facility. Currently, cricket is played on pitches that can be used temporarily for this purpose with a softer ball and less distance on smaller pitches,” Kilgour wrote. “Members of the North Bay Cricket Club have advised that the lack of a standard sized pitch prevents the Club from hosting standard tournaments. The Club has advised that there would be a better opportunity to host tournaments in North Bay with a standard pitch.
For the past decade, cricketers have played at sites with limited space, such as Amelia Park in North Bay or adjacent to the community centre in Callander. If construction begins in 2026, the facility is expected to be completed in the fall of that year.
In late February, Councillors Sara Inch and Jamie Lowery issued a joint statement expressing their support for the construction of a cricket pitch — in response to a letter criticising the idea.
In their letter, Inch and Lowery wrote, “Encouraging participation in cricket and other sports is a celebration of the diversity of our communities and a step towards building a more inclusive society where everyone can find a sense of belonging. It is about recognising and valuing the contributions of all members of the community, celebrating our differences and finding common ground in activities that bring joy, health and unity.
“Let’s not limit our understanding of community and culture to the sport we are familiar with. Instead, let’s embrace new and diverse contributions that enrich our collective identity. Supporting cricket is not just about supporting a sport, it is about supporting the future of our diverse and vibrant community.”
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