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Posted Oct 22, 2013, 4:22 AM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Toronto
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Businessman hopes to build 35,000 seat pro cricket stadium here
Quote:
Oct 10, 2013
Businessman hopes to build 35,000 seat pro cricket stadium here
Brampton Guardian
By Pam Douglas
BRAMPTON— The City of Brampton is looking for private sector investment to help build a cricket stadium in the city’s northeast end.
City councillors directed staff to undertake a feasibility study and business analysis for a stadium at Gore Meadows, a 300 acre city-wide park at Castlemore Road and McVean Drive. The city will also issue a Request For Expressions of Interest (RFIE) from the private sector.
The feasibility study will look at types of stadiums and levels of use, from local to elite or professional, ways to build and operate a stadium, capital and operating costs, funding sources, the need for a national training and development centre, and ancillary uses including retail.
The city’s design called for a stadium of up to 5,000 seats, but CAO John Corbett said any and all expressions of interest would be considered and analyzed.
Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell said a Toronto businessman has already expressed his interest in a recent meeting with her.
Roy Singh is launching the professional Canadian Premier League T20 next August, and he’s looking around the GTA for a location to build a $200 million, 35,000-seat professional cricket stadium.
Although he has met with Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion and others, Singh said he’s “pretty happy” with Brampton.
“Brampton is pretty much the number one contender because it has the actual land we are looking at,” he told The Guardian.
He said the feasibility study, which could be complete by early next summer, would look at issues such as traffic, but he said the Gore Meadows site is easily accessible.
He said building a “modernized, technologically alive” cricket stadium is not an easy project, but he will bring sponsorship money and private sector investment into the project.
“I believe it’s time to make this happen,” he said.
According to their website, the league is “to serve as a training ground for developing professional cricket players, coaches and personnel on and off the field and to that aim, emphasis will be placed on fundamental development, career advancement and community involvement.”
The city had already set aside $1 million in a previous budget for its 44 per cent share of the $2.073 million cost to build a cricket facility for a special Pan Am Event. However, when the Pan Am organizers pulled out of the deal, the city said it could use funds set aside for park development to pay the additional $1.073 million and build the facility itself.
Now, the city says it is looking at all options to bring a cricket stadium here.
“Cricket is a significant growth sport and a large Brampton facility is needed to meet the community’s demand,” according to a news release issued by the city last year.
Singh originally wanted to reconfigure the Rogers Centre field so his league could play in Toronto. But that doesn't seem to be an option anymore and he is looking elsewhere to build a brand new stadium.
While traditional cricket matches can last all day or for several days, all matches in this CPL will be about 21/2 hours long so they can attract a television contract.
"The T20 format is exciting. It's sexy. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, " said Singh, who runs a CINRO, a gold exploration company based in Toronto and is the founder and CEO of the CPLT20. "People love the Maple Leafs. Fans love excitement. I think this format will adapt very well here.
"Teams will play one game. Each team will get only 120 pitches. Each of the 11 players plays until he gets out."
Similar tournaments are currently staged in other countries, but if Singh can make it happen, he hopes to stage the first event of its kind on Canadian soil as soon as possible.
Singh said in April there is international interest to invest in the Canadian concept, but the big stumbling block has been finding a venue.
Under his plan, franchises, owned by major Canadian corporations representing about 10 cities from across Canada, will put $1 million in trust. Each team will run its own budget to pay players. International stars currently playing in similar leagues are paid about $500,000 for their seven-week commitment.
Each team will need about 15 players, most of whom will make between $50,000 and $100,000. All teams will share profits from merchandising and advertising and television contracts equally.
To attract a wide range of fans, Singh plans to have celebrities and international singers perform at the games. They will also have the chance to be involved in team ownership.
"I've already spoken to several (singer and celebrity) managers and there is interest, " Singh said in April. "I see cricket as being the next big breakthrough sport in Canada. And imagine if you came to a game and singers like Justin Bieber and Rihanna were there and involved?"
The plan is for all the teams to assemble in one location and play 58 games over seven weeks in August and September. These international players have other commitments so the games must be played over a short period of time. That's the way it works in other Premier Leagues, Singh said.
By enticing international players to Canada, Singh hopes the league will gain instant recognition.
With files from Torstar Network
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http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-sto...ld-35-000-seat-pro-cricket-stadium-here/
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