Northern Districts Cricket CEO Ben MacCormack has today unveiled exciting plans for a community cricket hub adjacent to Hamilton's Seddon Park.

Mr MacCormack presented an outline of the proposal to Hamilton City Council's Community and Services Committee meeting.

The Northern Districts Cricket Centre, planned for the Circus Park green area adjacent to Bryce Street and Seddon Park in central Hamilton, will be an indoor cricket centre with lanes for training and office space for the association, and potentially other sport-minded organisations.

Alongside this development, the proposal includes duplicating the existing outdoor nets and redeveloping the entrance to Seddon Park's Gate D.  The doubling of the outdoor grass wickets would allow access to females, youth and community teams while also upholding the international standards required when the WHITEFERNS and BLACKCAPS play in Hamilton. The Gate D entrance will be levelled allowing for a more obvious flow for patrons from the city's hospitality district, and the transport interchange into Seddon Park. It will further increase accessibility to the venue for all Hamiltonians and those who attend the venue from around the country and beyond.

Northern Districts Cricket has developed the plans in consultation with Fosters Construction Ltd and Chow:Hill Architects.

Mr MacCormack says the need for this development has come from a lack of an obvious home for Northern Districts Cricket, and  a desire to improve opportunities for our female and youth teams. 

"Currently we don't have anywhere within our association's boundary that fills all our requirements to come together and train indoors as a group.  A hub such as this will give us a home for our players to develop their cricket in a purpose built environment.  If we get the green light, then this centre will be utilized by not only our first class male and female players, but our younger players coming through the ranks and community cricketers as well."

MacCormack says the proposed improvements to the infrastructure to the outdoor nets and having a purpose-built entrance and entertainment space are critical to meet the expectations of international cricket players and visitors, and to ensure future matches in Hamilton.

"Seddon Park already has a reputation as one of the best boutique cricketing ovals in the world, and if we can make it even more attractive and functional as an events space, this will greatly improve the experience of our visitors."

Funding for the proposed development will be sought from a number of sources, including trusts, central government grants, and sponsorship.  MacCormack expects the project to take 2 years to complete.

The Committee passed a resolution in support of the proposed cricket centre.

MacCormack was pleased with the outcome of the meeting saying "While we still have some legislative and permission aspects to work through with Council, the reception we received was certainly encouraging - we can now progress with putting more solid plans in place and pushing forward with the project."