The Northwest BC Cricket Association is proposing to use and possibly maintain a cricket field on land owned by the District of Port Edward.

The cricket clubs in Prince Rupert, Terrace, Kitimat, and Thornhill are all Northwest BC Cricket Association members.

Currently, the association uses a pitch located at the Thornhill Cricket Ground, which the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine owns. This is where practices and competitive games are held.

Kam Siemens, the association’s president, explained that while the location is convenient for players from Terrace, Kitimat, and Thornhill, it requires a lot of travel by the Prince Rupert club every Sunday to participate.

Establishing a cricket pitch in the District of Port Edward would allow teams to alternate between venues by hosting matches in Thornhill one week and Port Edward the next. Siemens mentioned this change would not only reduce travel for Prince Rupert players but could also bring regular visitor traffic into Port Edward, supporting local activity and exposure.

“I know that the District of Port Edward is looking forward to this because sports tourism is a huge, huge industry,” said Siemens.

On April 17, representatives from the Northwest BC Cricket Association visited the proposed cricket field site in Port Edward and is now preparing an official proposal to submit to the District council by mid-May. The proposal will outline field usage times, expected tournaments and attendance, and responsibilities for construction, maintenance, and overall management. If approved, the project could move forward this year.

The next steps would involve the lawn being thatched, followed by adding topsoil and grass seed. While a permanent concrete pitch may not be feasible at this stage, they plan to compact a designated field area to lay down a jute mat, allowing athletes to play with a leather ball. Eventually, if they can secure grant funding, they aim to build a concrete pitch as early as next year.

“It’s a very big deal for the Prince Rupert area,” Siemens said.

For Prince Rupert players, having a local pitch means they won’t have to travel far to play with a leather ball. Cricket BC and Cricket Canada only recognize and acknowledge athletes who play with the leather ball.

The Northwest BC Cricket Association has around 100 registered players, including 30 from Prince Rupert. In total, an estimated 60 people in Prince Rupert play cricket recreationally.

Currently, players in Prince Rupert practice at Roosevelt School’s field, but the site faces significant drainage issues, and addressing them would require a substantial investment.