The village of Inverhaugh, Ontario is home to one of Canadian cricket’s anomalies – a privately-owned cricket field with turf wickets. Opened eighteen years ago, the facility and the club it hosts represent the fruition of one man’s dream to see his beloved sport played in his own backyard. Bart Singh, with the dedicated support of his wife, Jan and his family continues to enjoy that dream, but may soon have to come to a decision on its future.
The farm property adjacent to the Grand River that would become the Inverhaugh ground, came up for sale in 1995. Surprisingly, an earlier owner had held cricket matches on the site in the early 1960s. Seeing the potential, Mr. Singh decided to take a calculated risk to purchase the site and make his home there. He then set about the task of transforming the field into a cricket pitch and building a new house to overlook it. “This project has changed our lives. Cricket at Inverhaugh is not just a sport, it is a lifestyle”, he smiles.
Tens of thousands of man-hours and a small fortune have established the facility that is Inverhaugh CC today. The ten turf wickets would be the envy of many provincial and national cricket boards in the Americas. A pair of practice wickets has been set up in one corner of the field while a grass tennis court occupies another end. Six holes of golf have been laid out beside the river.
Inverhaugh CC plays a 25 match home schedule. An invitation to play at the ground is a highlight for the visiting teams, many of whom would not otherwise play on turf. Teams from as far afield as Australia, Bermuda, Montreal, Philadelphia, Boston, Florida, and Washington D.C., have made the trek to enjoy the unique experience. Even international cricket has come calling as the national teams of Canada, the United States and East and Central Africa were hosted in preparation for the 2001 ICC Trophy. The club also has toured abroad to such destinations as England, Guyana and St. Maarten.
As much enjoyment as Mr. Singh has derived from the creation and management of his ground it is a job for a younger person. He now is seeking a way to keep his dream alive, even though it will mean selling. “I’ve done what I could to build this. Now it’s time to pass the torch”, says the owner. The hope is that someone with similar passion for the game will step forward to assume the mantle. Many in the cricket community that have played on the turf of Inverhaugh or who are inspired by the sense of idealism will no doubt share this hope.
Inverhaugh Cricket Club website
Ramon Lachmansingh