The future is looking bright for Squamish cricket enthusiasts as the District approves a cricket pitch for Brennan Park.
The new pitch was approved by the council at a special business meeting on Oct. 15 and will be built between fields three and four.
Squamish Cricket Club reaction
The Squamish Cricket Club (SCC) originally applied for a permanent cricket pitch in 2022, and members are thrilled with the council's decision.
“We're ecstatic! After almost three years of effort, seeing the pitch approved has given the club and its members a huge boost of enthusiasm,” SCC vice-president and secretary Taurean McCarthy told The Squamish Chief.
“It's a major win for cricket in Squamish, and we're excited for what it means for the future of the sport here.”
Council decision
While the staff recommendation was for the District to fund the entirety of the $49,000 project through community amenity contribution funds (CAC), council opted for an alternative motion to share the costs with the Squamish Cricket Club.
“I think this is an issue of fairness; we held the same bar for the folks from pickleball… there was an expectation that they put money forward, and I think with every community group I have spoken to, this continues to be something that I’ve definitely reiterated,” Coun. Jenna Stoner said.
“So I think it’s an important standard to uphold. I also want to recognize that our community amenity contribution pot is not endless; there’s only $1.5 million left in it at the end of the day, and we just added $200,000 to the splash park unto itself again. So while it feels like a small amount of money, every dollar counts when we’re trying to achieve the community recreation benefits for our community as a whole.”
The alternative funding arrangement will see council fund $14,500 of the project through CAC funds while receiving $34,500 previously fundraised by the Squamish Cricket Club.
Coun. Lauren Greenlaw echoed Stoner’s comments and encouraged her fellow council members to vote in favour of the alternative funding method.
“I think it’s important to take advantage of the potential financial input from user groups. We have a lot of expenditures coming up, and as Coun. Stoner mentioned, every dollar counts,” she said.
Despite councillors John French, Eric Andersen and Mayor Armand Hurford opposing the alternative recommendation—which passed 4-3—all members voted in favour of the shared funding arrangement to ensure that the cricket pitch would be built.
“While I voted against the amendment, that was not enough of a reason for me not to support this form of funding,” Hurford said.
Coun. French agreed and said the main focus was to support the local cricket community.
“I have exactly the same thoughts. I support cricket. How we get there, how we fund it is a bit secondary to just having a pitch and having the sport in Squamish,” French said.
The future of SCC
While the possibility of having the pitch fully funded would have “made things easier” for the SCC, McCarthy said the club members understand there are “many priorities in our community.”
“We've seen the amazing contributions from other groups, and we’re happy to do our part,” he said.
“From the start, we anticipated that the club would need to contribute, and we've been working hard to secure grants and in-kind contributions to help make this project a reality.”
The current estimated time for the completion of the pitch is the end of 2025, but McCarthy is optimistic about an earlier finish line.
“We’re hoping it will be ready closer to the beginning of the quarter so we can host some friendly games and showcase what cricket is all about to the community before the rain starts in September or October,” he said.
Council noted that a second pitch could potentially be built at the park in the future.
As for what the future of cricket looks like in Squamish, the answer is “bright.”
“The future looks bright! The last few years have been tough, as transporting and setting up a 150-pound carpet every time we wanted to play has restricted our club's activities,” McCarthy said.
“Understandably, our players just want to focus on playing cricket, and having to arrive 30 minutes early to set up the mat was a real deterrent. With a permanent pitch in place, we've removed our biggest barrier to success.”
The SCC is continuing their fundraising efforts to support the installation of the new pitch, as well as the sport as a whole in Squamish.
To donate, visit the BC Amateur Sport Fund page, and to learn more about the Squamish Cricket Club, visit its website.
