A cricket field – the first in Essex County – could be installed in Anderdon Park at no expense to Amherstburg taxpayers if Council gives the greenlight at our next meeting.
The cost to install the field would be fully funded by PaxPitch Sports, Windsor’s first-ever indoor cricket training facility. PaxPitch runs the Border City Cricket League in Windsor-Essex and Chatham. More than 20 teams with more than 400 players are ready to play outdoors in Amherstburg this season.
I’m looking forward to learning more about this proposal at Monday’s meeting.
“At this time, PaxPitch is not looking for a comprehensive design that integrates a cricket field into one of the Town’s current park landscapes that would include amenities such as lighting, increase in parking, washroom facilities, fencing or park irrigation improvements,” said a staff report that is supportive of the proposal. “They are simply looking for greenspace to practice to help accommodate the needs of the growing cricket community.”
Cricket is one of the world’s most popular sports and interest is growing like gangbusters in Windsor and Essex County. Amherstburg residents account for about 12 per cent of participants in local leagues and Essex County residents account for about 47 per cent. Those numbers would be sure to grow with a bona fide cricket field in Anderdon Park, home already to two tennis courts and a basketball court.
There are no cricket fields in Essex County and the two that are used in Windsor are not regulation size, providing Amherstburg an opportunity to fill the void and make greater use of a park in our community, providing an additional amenity and a reason for people to visit our beautiful town.
“Administration recognizes that there are future opportunities if the Town partners with PaxPitch sports. Adding recreational programs such as development clinics and youth academies invest in grassroots cricket growth, and tourism enhancements by bringing in a new sport to the community,” said an administrative report.
“The cricket community is looking to develop partnerships with local businesses and potential sponsors, while closely working with the Town’s Economic Development and Recreation departments to help increase the sport tourism impact. Further, their ability to live stream all games helps to enhance visibility and engagement across platforms.”
The teams in the Border City Cricket League travel to London, Kitchener, Toronto and the U.S. to play matches and “with a dedicated field for practices and games they are hoping to expand the sport within the community.”
There would be no costs borne by the Town. PaxPitch would construct and maintain the field and install portable washrooms on site. In terms of ongoing operational costs, the Town already cuts the grass and might just have to lower the mower blade. Under the arrangement, PaxPitch would operate the field for several years and the Town, after two years, could allocate the field to other users during weekdays to generate revenue.
A standard cricket field is oval-shaped and consists of three main zones: the pitch, the infield, and the outfield. The dimensions are as follows:
Pitch (Center Strip) – Length: 66-75 feet (20.1 metres) between the two sets of stumps and Width: 10-12 feet (3.05 metres). This is the area where most of the direct play occurs – where the bowler delivers the ball and the batter attempts to score.
Infield – this is the area immediately surrounding the pitch, typically used for close-in fielding positions and short-distance play.
Outfield – the full field has a diameter ranging from 330 to 500 feet (100 to 150 metres). This area accommodates long-range fielding and boundary scoring. This size supports competitive play, safe player movement, and appropriate spectator zones.
The grounds at Anderdon provide an open natural grass surface that can accommodate a 106-metre diameter field and a pitch that is about 3.5 metres wide and 51 metres long. There is also ample parking. The park is located between Anderdon Public School and the fire hall, on the north side of Middle Side Road between the 3rd and 4th Concessions.
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