Canada cricket goes state-of-the-art

$700m enclosed stadium plan unveiled in Toronto

Canadian cricket has unveiled ambitious plans for a $700m state-of-the-art stadium in Toronto, with an eye to hosting international matches "within four to five years".

The proposed 35,000 seat stadium, which does not yet have a confirmed location nor publicly revealed backers, would feature a natural grass field and fixed roof, allowing matches to be played year-round, despite freezing winters in the Canadian city.

"Our plan is to have this stadium built and ready for international cricket within four to five years," said Bob Mitchell, president of the Canadian Premier League T20 in a media release.

"There isn’t a stadium anywhere in the world like the one we intend to build."

Currently ranked 20th in the world in ODI's, Canadian cricket's biggest claim to fame up until now has been the record-breaking century struck by current Australia spin coach John Davison for the country at the 2003 ICC World Cup.

Despite their humble status in world cricket Canada is fast developing as the home of the sport in North America.

"The stadium is actually state of the art for North America," Canadian Premier League CEO Roy Singh told Canada’s Global News.

"We want to set the tone for high-quality, state-of-the-art facilities for cricket, starting in Canada.

Singh claimed he had secured financing for the stadium six weeks ago, but admitted the main competition it intends to host, the Canadian Premier League, is yet to find similar funding.

"With this financing we can now move to the next phase of selecting a site and securing further investors for this ambitious project," said Singh.

Initially due to launch in August 2013, the Canadian Premier League's revised start of August this year may be an optimistic one.

With each side featuring eight Canadians and three international cricketers, it is on the world’s cricket stars – and their desire to play in Canada – that Singh has his hopes pinned.

"By attaching immediately recognisable cricket celebrities to our league we can instantly connect to a world-wide audience," said Singh.

"Our games will be televised internationally as well as throughout Canada. It's been difficult and it still is difficult as we move along but I intend to see this through to the end.

"We believe the CLPT20 will quickly become a household name in Canada and around the world."

The announcement comes two months after the Indianapolis City Council revealed they would not be hosting the USA national cricket championship in their newly-developed $5.1m World Sports Park.

Council officials cited a break-down in communication following the resignation of former USACA executive director Darren Beazley in March as the reason for the decision.

The development was shrouded in controversy from the outset with opposition government, media outlets and the public at large labelling the park an unnecessary expense and calling for its funds to be redirected to the city’s under-manned police force or deteriorating roads.

Slated for completion by late-2014, the multi-purpose venue has facilities for cricket, lacrosse, Australian-rules football, Gaelic football, rugby and hurling.

USACA’s inability to secure the event for Indianapolis, and allow the city to recoup a portion of the sports park’s expense, is yet another blow to the embattled organisation who were recently put on notice by the ICC following the establishment of a rebel national governing body.

http://www.cricket.com.au/%7E/media/cricketaustralia/News/2014/7/10Canada.ashx?w=671&as=1

thats a pipe dream