Cricket facility unveiled in Winnipeg, offering more than just a sporting experience
New High-Performance Cricket Facility Opens in Winnipeg
La Barrière Park in Winnipeg is now home to a new high-performance cricket facility, following an investment of over $1.1 million from the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba. The project, which began in 2018, has significantly boosted the quality of local cricket and attracted a surge of players to the sport.
The facility, located on city-owned land leased to the Manitoba Cricket Association (MCA), includes three high-performance pitches, four practice nets, a batting cage, three shade structures, and more than 100 newly planted trees. The funding covered construction, installation, signage, maintenance, and landscaping.
Councillor Janice Lukes (Waverley West) contributed the majority of the funding, around $950,000, with additional support from Councillors Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River), Brian Mayes (St. Vital), Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan), and Matt Allard (St. Boniface). The province also provided funding for the project.
The MCA president, Paramjit Shahi, believes the improved facilities have contributed to increased player engagement and development. This is evident in the growing number of Manitoba players representing Cricket Canada at the national level. Two players from the MCA will represent Manitoba in national competitions in Toronto this year, including one on the World Cup team.
Councillor Lukes emphasized cricket’s role as a community-bridging sport in Winnipeg’s increasingly diverse population. The game of cricket is seen as a powerful bridge that brings diverse communities together. The growth of cricket in Winnipeg is linked to the city's immigration, with the number of players showing a notable increase since the project was first announced.
The MCA is proud of its players' achievements, including those who have represented Cricket Canada and the Prairie Zonal Team. Four players selected to the Prairie Zonal Team are from the MCA. Past councillors in the St. James and Charleswood-Tuxedo-West wards also contributed to the project.
The new facility is expected to further boost the popularity of cricket in Winnipeg and provide a platform for local players to excel in the sport.
The new high-performance cricket facility at La Barrière Park in Winnipeg has significantly increased local engagement with sports, attracting a surge of players to the sport. The improved facilities, which include three high-performance pitches, have contributed to increased player development, as evident in the growing number of Manitoba players representing Cricket Canada at the national level.
