TROY (WWJ) — The second most popular sport in the entire world has a new home right here in Metro Detroit.
Officials in the city of Troy on Tuesday broke ground on a new cricket field at Boulan Park. Officials say it’s a project that’s been "20 years in the making" and something residents have been asking for. And now, thanks to community support and a $900,000 allocation from the state, it’s now becoming a reality.
The city says the field is the first of its size and kind in Southeast Michigan, as it will feature a full-size field with a scoreboard, dugouts and a screen wall, as well as a hybrid pitch surface.
Cricket is second to only soccer in terms of global popularity, with a massive following in countries like India, Pakistan, Australia and England, all of which have successful national teams.
But as the sport continues to grow in popularity in the U.S. — the country co-hosted the 2024 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup earlier this summer — the field in Troy is just one of a handful of regulation pitches in the entire country.
City officials say that will bring lots of attention and, hopefully, economic growth to the region. The field will be eligible to be certified by the International Cricket Association of Michigan.
Officials have not said whether they’re aiming to bring any large-scale events to the new field, which is expected to be playable by the spring of 2025.
While the city is highly touting the new field, some residents aren’t so sure about the big price tag on the project.
Ashley Waltford of Troy told WWJ’s Darrylin Horne she believes that money could’ve been used elsewhere.
“The roads, the upkeep of other parks. I mean, some of the other parks are getting a little bit rundown. It’s a lot of money,” she said.
More on today's top stories: