Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of North Bay is set to construct a regulation-sized cricket pitch thanks to a $1.7 million investment from the Ontario government.
The funding comes from the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), a program aimed at helping communities upgrade facilities, boost the local economy, and encourage active, healthy living across Ontario.
The new cricket pitch is expected to enhance sport tourism in North Bay, providing a boost to the local hospitality sector.
“At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support organizations focused on delivering better services for people while breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for children and young people,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “With investments in infrastructure like this, we are protecting Ontario jobs, strengthening our communities and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.”
CSRIF is part of the government’s broader plan to protect workers, businesses and families by stimulating the economy and accelerating infrastructure projects across the province. The plan includes a historic $200 billion investment over several years in highways, hospitals, transit, schools and other critical infrastructure.
The CSRIF program, which runs over two years, supports municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations through two streams: one dedicated to repairing and upgrading existing sport and recreation facilities, and another for building new or transformative infrastructure.
In addition to CSRIF, Ontario invests $32 million annually in community recreation programs, including the After School Program, the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation program and the Ontario Amateur Sport Fund, to promote active and healthy communities province-wide.