High-performance cricket facility officially opens in La Barrière Park

The new fields were built on City of Winnipeg land, which Manitoba Cricket Association leases. (File photo: Brydon McCluskey/Unsplash)

Winnipeg, MB – Delegates from the City of Winnipeg joined the Manitoba Cricket Association and community partners today to officially open the La Barrière Park Cricket Fields.

The new fields were built on City of Winnipeg land, which Manitoba Cricket Association leases.

Redevelopment began in 2018 with the construction of one high-performance cricket pitch.

The site has since grown to feature three high performance pitches, four practice nets, a batting cage, three shade structures, and more than 100 trees.

“As Winnipeg grows through immigration, the game of cricket is growing just as rapidly,” said Councillor Janice Lukes, Waverley West.“But cricket is more than just a game, in Winnipeg it’s a powerful bridge that brings diverse communities together through shared passion and a friendly rivalry.”

Since the project began, more than $1.1 million from a combination of individual ward/Councillor funding and City of Winnipeg Land Dedication Reserving funding has been granted to Manitoba Cricket Association for the project.

Waverley West Councillor Janice Lukes has contributed nearly more than $950,000. Councillor Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) provided $95,000. Additional contributions came from Councillor Brian Mayes (St. Vital), Councillor Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan), Councillor Matt Allard (St. Boniface) and past Councillors in both St. James and Charlewswood-Tuxedo-Westwood.

“I’m very pleased to support the development of superior fields for our adults and youth,” said Chambers. “Many junior and high school students are already playing cricket at their schools, and this initiative gives them the opportunity to grow their skills on full-sized, regulation fields.”

The Council/ward funding supported:

• Construction of the concrete pitches
• Batting cage installation
• Ongoing maintenance
• Shade trees and shade structures
• New signage

Additional funding was provided by the Province of Manitoba.

“With these improved facilities we’ve seen a notable increase in player engagement and development,” said MCA President Paramjit Shahi. “We are especially proud to have had two players represent Cricket Canada, including one who is part of the World Cup team, and four players selected to the Prairie Zonal Team, with two Under-17 players representing Manitoba in national competitions in Toronto this year.”