New York gets second purpose-built facility

Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, has announced that a $1.5 million investment in a new purpose-built cricket pitch in the city.

Bloomberg said that the project, in Saint Albans Park in Queens, resulted from the growth of interest in the game in the USA, as well as the expansion of Asian and Caribbean communities in the city.

"Cricket is played all over the world and its popularity is quickly growing right here in New York City," Bloomberg said. "The new cricket field at St. Albans Park illustrates just how much our West Indian and South Asian communities have grown. New York City is the "World's Second Home," and we're committed to helping our diverse and dynamic communities celebrate their heritage through their native cuisines, hobbies or recreational activities."

The pitch was originally earmarked as a Little League baseball field , although it is currently used for cricket as well. The development is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2007.

Work on another new cricket field, funded by Queens Borough president Helen Marshall, will begin next year in nearby Idlewild Park.

The USA's first public field dedicated solely to cricket was opened in 2003 in Brooklyn's Spring Creek Park. Cricket is currently played in all five boroughs at more than 25 general-use fields.