Brampton considering building $35 million cricket stadium

A $35 million, state-of-the-art cricket stadium could be coming to Brampton.

The City is considering building the stadium at the CAA Centre and Sports Park, which would be used for local, national, and international tournaments.

According to the City, the addition of such a facility would make Brampton the “Cricket Capital of Canada,” and attract national and international competitions, which would provide economic and community benefits for local communities.

The estimated cost for the stadium is $35 million, which would include the design, construction, contract administration and advisory services, and the total capital cost to complete construction would be accounted for in the City’s budget submission, and subject to Council approval.

Rob Gasper, Projects and Special Initiatives Community Services Manager for the City of Brampton, is proposing the City amend the budget to provide $5 million for the design, contract administration and cricket advisory services for the stadium, which would be provided from Reserve 134—the Recreation Development Charges.

The design of the stadium could begin before the end of the year, with construction potentially beginning in 2022.

The design for the stadium would include fixed-seating for 5,000 with the possibility to expand to for up to an additional 20,000 temporary seating.

Originally proposed to be located at the same site of Gore Meadows Community Centre, the CAA Centre was chosen as the destination instead due to the fact it’s more readily able to handle crowds of as many as 20,000 spectators—something Gore Meadows, which is in a residential neighbourhood, would not.

Additionally, due to its proximity to major traffic arteries, as well as the Toronto Pearson International Airport, the CAA Centre would be able to draw larger audiences, both from the GTA and internationally, which would provide a significant boost to sports tourism and economic development.

Brampton is already the leader in cricket pitches per capita in the GTA, and the addition of this stadium would enhance the City’s ability to accommodate a variety of tournaments, including the GT20, and possibly additional events.

This story has been updated to correct information regarding the cost of the stadium

Cover photo courtesy of @MsGurdyal via Twitter