Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine staffers are studying a proposal to construct a cricket pitch at the Thornhill Agricultural Grounds following a presentation by a Terrace Cricket Club delegation.
If approved, the pitch would be constructed in the large open field on the grounds, featuring a concrete slab 30 meters long and three to four metres wide on which would be glued a synthetic grass carpet. A bowler stands at one end of the pitch, delivering a ball to a batsman at the other end.
So far, regional district staffers say there is enough room on the grounds for a suitable playing field surrounding the pitch.
“There are no fixed dimensions for the field but, according to the Terrace Cricket Club, the diameter for the field should be around 110-130 metres,” indicates a preliminary staff report.
Boundary lines are important in field dimensions as the boundary is the area beyond which the ball must be hit to score, the report adds.
“As the cricket pitch is the only change adding to the current situation, the regional district can still use the rest of the field for other activities like emergency camping during floods and forest fires, conducting stage performances, fall fair exhibitions, etc.,” the report states.
Preparing the ground and constructing the pitch could cost $15,000. There’s already a $3,000 annual budget to maintain the grounds and a further budget is available through the recreation commission in Thornhill. Total annual maintenance cost is estimated at $3,000 on top of the current budget for the agricultural grounds.
At the moment, players use the paved parking lot at the Skeena Valley Guru Nanak Brotherhood Society temple on Medeek Ave. in Terrace. Because of the hard surface, players can sustain injuries.
The sport has grown in the area with approximately 60 players now participating, up from 16 participants three years ago.
The local cricket season is divided into three time periods — spring, summer and fall with a championship game marking the end of each period.
Club representatives have told the regional district a suitable field and pitch not only provides for the growth of the sport locally but it can also lead to holding tournaments with out of town teams.
Cricket enthusiasts at first had discussions with the City of Terrace before approaching the regional district about using the agricultural grounds in Thornhill.