The City of Vernon has opened a new cricket field at DND Athletic Park, marking the return of the sport to the community more than a century after its first recorded team.
In a statement, the City of Vernon said the opening celebrated the return of cricket to Vernon after more than 100 years, noting the city’s first recorded team dates back to 1908.
The city said the celebration makes the new field both a revival of a long-standing tradition and a meaningful investment in the community’s growing and increasingly diverse sports scene.
Mayor Victor Cumming, members of Vernon city council and local MLA Harwinder Sandhu gave remarks at the ceremony, noting the project’s importance in supporting wellness, inclusion and regional sports development.
“This is a proud moment for Vernon and a strong example of what’s possible when a community comes together with a shared vision,” Sandhu said.
“This project reflects years of teamwork, advocacy, and collective effort from many dedicated partners. My team and I were proud to help initiate early conversations with the City, and we are grateful to the City of Vernon for their openness to these discussions and their support in bringing this project to fruition.”
Sandhu added that these kinds of projects are never the work of one person or one team.
“They are built through partnership, shared commitment, and the belief that when we work together, we create spaces where people can connect, play and grow together.”
Cumming said the new field honours Vernon’s past while investing in its future. “Cricket is one of the fastest growing sports in our region, and this facility reflects our commitment to inclusive recreation, community connection and ensuring Vernon remains a welcoming place for residents of all recreation interests.”
Following the ceremony, the first official match was played between the North Okanagan Cricket Club and the Okanagan United Cricket Team as part of the Elite Cricket League.
The Elite Cricket League is one of the largest cricket leagues in Interior B.C., featuring teams from Vernon, Kelowna, Osoyoos, Penticton, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Nelson and Castlegar.
Hashan Sirisena, representing the Vernon Cricket User Group, said the event was a very special moment for the Okanagan’s cricket community. “We commend the collaboration and effort by the City of Vernon in making this a reality,” she said.
Funding for the new cricket pitch was provided through the city’s parks reserve fund, with council approving up to $30,000 in 2025 for its design and construction.
The project includes an 80-by-15-foot concrete slab topped with artificial turf to support cricket, allowing the space to be used for other activities when the sport is not being played.
The city said the cricket field is expected to become a regional hub for both competitive and recreational cricket.
