Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The Shelburne Cricket Club is asking the Town of Shelburne to bring upgrades to the fields at KTH Park for their 2026 season.

During their meeting on Monday (Aug. 25), Shelburne Town Council received a presentation from Shelburne Cricket Club President Ahsen Siddiqui and vice-president Greg Parker.

The presentation from the Shelburne Cricket Club requested that Council look at implementing a number of upgrades to KTH Park.

The Shelburne Cricket Club said they are making the request “to enhance KTH Ground facilities for players, officials, and spectators, making it safer, more functional, and community-friendly.”  

The Shelburne Cricket Club was initially established in 1893, but over the decades, it slowly faded out. In 2019, a group of residents revived the club with a small number of players from the Shelburne and Dufferin County communities participating.

Since its re-establishment five years ago, the Shelburne Cricket Club has grown to have roughly 120 players playing in house league and tournament teams. The Shelburne Cricket Club season runs from May to October, during which the club plays anywhere from 35 to 45 games.

“Imagine the wear and tear that is happening,” said Siddiqui.

The Shelburne Cricket Club outlined the growing cricket community and its usage of the KTH Park facility as one of the biggest reasons for the needed upgrades.

Siddiqui said the increased usage of the facility by not just the Shelburne Cricket Club and the damage to the fields has led to player safety concerns.

The club also noted that the upgrades would attract youth players and visibility in the community.

“If we increase the durability of the playing area where we are, it will attract more spectators,” said Siddiqui

The upgrades the local cricket club is requesting include a graded pitch that is rolled and level for safe playing; a shaded gazebo or small shed with seating and weather protections; electoral outlets and lighting; permanent installation of the club's manual scoreboard; and a water fountain for clean drinking water.

“We're not talking about drastic changes, just minor changes, if possible,” said Siddiqui.

According to the Shelburne Cricket Club, the requested upgrades could cost between $6,000 and $19,000.

Shelburne Town Council accepted the presentation for information and will include it in the 2026 budget process.

“I appreciate the timing of this. I think the list of asks is clear enough that we know what you're after. As we work through the budget process, we can try to firm up some of these numbers…and see what we can do,” said Shelburne Mayor Wade Mills.

To learn more about the Shelburne Cricket Club, visit www.shelburnecricketclub.com.