Ajax cricket players hope the newly refurbished field is open to everyone

“All slots are booked, the city says there are no slots available,” a frustrated Parab told CBC News.

But all this is changing according to the city. This year, a contract with club clubs and Ajaxwill will spend $ 895,000 to upgrade and renovate the cricket facility, combined with $ 2.4 million from the federal and provincial governments.

The Ontario Cricket Council says the popularity of the sport is growing in Ajax and indeed in much of the GTA as Canadians with different backgrounds continue to promote and play the sport. But according to Parabsay, he and his friends have not received permission from the city to play in four years.

“We want to play, but unfortunately we have to keep going [baseball] diamonds or travel to other cities like Scarborough or even Brampton, ”he said.

Parab says it’s dangerous to play in a park or a diamond that isn’t a cricket field because the ball can hit a passerby.

Parab wants equal access to the field for all residents

“It’s very frustrating,” he said. “I just want to make sure Ajax people have a chance to play cricket.”

The Parabs hope the Ajax Cricket Club will no longer be given priority as all levels of government pour a total of $ 3.1 million into renovating and improving the camp and clubhouse and the basketball court at the Ajax Community Center.

He says all taxpayers ’money should persuade the city to grant retrospective access.

Ajax mayor ShaunCollier says it is this that he intends to donate that the deal with Ajax cricket club will end.

“It’s no longer just a cricket club,” Collier told CBC. “It’s a bunch of others now that we’ve basically taken ownership of the area again.”

Collier says he has a better idea of ​​what the project will look like in September. At that time, the city is expected to have detailed planning for the proposed upgrades. Renovation work is expected to include a rebuilt parking area and new lighting, but other issues such as clubhouse mold will need to be addressed.

“Depending on what comes back,[clubhouse] can be demolished and built from scratch or thoroughly refurbished, “Collier said. Construction of Monarch Avenue is expected to begin in 2022, the mayor added.

“I expect this to be a very extensive upgrade to the facility,” he said.

More cricket pitches may be coming, the mayor says

Collier says the growth of cricket in Ajax means the city is “definitely” looking at more potential fields in the future.

Ajax cricket club captain Sheik Hoosain is excited about the growing popularity of his sport. Currently, the club has five cricket teams and 70-100 members.

Club teams perform every week, while league events are held on the field on weekends. The teams play league matches with the Scarborough Cricket Association.

“Because we have owned the land … all of it [maintenance] members and families did, “he said. But at the end of the contract and in future renovations, the city will take responsibility for the facility.

Shiv Persaud, president of the Scarborough Cricket Association, thanks a member of the Ajax Cricket Club for entering his own time and money on the field, calling it “very atypical.”

Persaud says it is a sign that Ajax and the Greater Toronto Area need more cricket pitches.

“They have spent a lot of time and effort and personal resources to get it to where it is today,” he added.

“Hats for them for their hard work and effort.”