‘Poor conditions’ force local cricket club to move tournament to Bradford

Complaints about “bad conditions” have forced Barrie’s cricket club to move its long-awaited tournament to Bradford.

The tournament, called Barrie Premier League (BPL) Season 2 and to be a two-day event with 16 teams, was originally scheduled for August 17-18 at Maitland Park in the city’s east side.

“Due to strong objections from other cricket clubs about the poor condition of the cricket ground at Maitland Park, we have had to move this year’s tournament to Joe Magani Park in Bradford,” said organizer Nithin Liviero.

The decision was made to “ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming environment for all participants,” he added.

Previous BPL tournaments have been held at Maitland Park near Grove and Johnson streets.

“We have the only cricket field in Barrie that is shared with a baseball diamond,” Liviero said in a recent interview about their need for a proper cricket field.

At the time, Liviero noted that there was demand in the community to have a dedicated facility for cricket, as a common ground was sufficient.

“While we are disappointed that we cannot hold the event in Barrie, this change underlines the urgent need for a dedicated cricket facility in our city,” he added.

“We remain committed to championing this cause and hope to see progress soon. We are eager to be involved in any capacity that can be helpful in the planning, construction and maintenance phases,” added Liviero. “We are ready and willing to contribute to the realization of this project, ensuring that it meets the needs and expectations of the community.”

In a related development, city council recently approved a new multi-purpose youth sports field and parade ground east of Military Heritage Park along Barrie’s Lakeshore Drive.

This new artificial turf pitch has been described as being geared towards football, rugby, soccer and lacrosse. There would also be amenities such as lighting and benches.

Section 1 Con. Clare Riepma, who represents the city’s east end, previously said the waterfront location “has been looked at but the area is not big enough for a cricket ground”.

Liviero says if Barrie had the proper facilities for cricket, the city could have seen more than 200 players, and possibly their families, come to town for the weekend of the tournament.

“This influx would have provided a significant opportunity for local businesses to generate income, an opportunity now lost to Bradford,” he added.