The Terrace Cricket Club has grown to three teams and is actively seeking support from the City of Terrace for a dedicated cricket field.
Currently, the club is using a parking lot at the Skeena Valley Guru Nanak Brotherhood Society temple in the city to practice and for tournaments. The club began three years ago with only 16 players and has since grown to boast a membership of 50 to 60 players from diverse backgrounds, including international students, permanent residents, and those on workers’ visas.
With each team comprising 15 players, the club’s upcoming tournament will feature four teams. Players cover the costs of their own cricket gear and jerseys, but the club is struggling to find a suitable playing field.
Terrace Cricket Club coordinator Sukhjinder Grewal has requested land from the City of Terrace, specifying the need for a flat, concrete oval and circle in the centre, and grass or concrete surrounding it, extending 60-65 metres on each side.
READ MORE: Cricket players advocate for pitch in Terrace
The club has not received any response from the city regarding their request.
“We can’t do it all by ourselves,” said Grewal, emphasizing the need for support from the local government. He noted the lack of infrastructure hinders the club’s ability to host tournaments, but this could change if the city provides land for a cricket field.
Grewal, a former cricket player in India, is passionate about bringing the sport to Terrace and fostering community involvement.
Cities such as Calgary, Winnipeg, and Vancouver already have cricket fields, and Grewal believes that establishing a field in Terrace could help bring the community together.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by newcomers to the city who work multiple jobs, making it difficult to create that community and get projects like these done.
The club is focused on motivating its players and fostering healthy competition.
“We are tough competition,” Grewal said.
While they wait for a proper field, the players continue to compete against each other.
The Terrace Cricket Club Facebook page provides more information about the club and its initiatives.
As of now, the club is not open to women.
Editor’s note: In an email to the Terrace Standard, the City of Terrace clarrified its position.
In a council meeting on March 14, 2022, the Terrace Cricket Club proposed the construction of a cricket pitch at a cost of $8,000-10,000. The council unanimously agreed to refer this to their staff for further investigation.
The Terrace Parks, Recreation and Culture department worked with the cricket club representatives to understand their needs and assess the suitability of available fields, but due to the cricket pitch requirements, finding an appropriate location proved challenging.
City staff recommended that the cricket club formalize their organization, either as a registered society or a non-profit, to continue receiving official support from the city. Once registered, the club could access free grant writing opportunities provided by the city, which could aid in funding the cricket pitch and pushing the project forward.
The city expressed its eagerness to support the growing sport of cricket and awaits an update from the cricket group since their last interaction.
Viktor Elias joined the Terrace Standard in April 2023.
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