The Garden Valley School Division and the City of Winkler have reached an agreement that will likely see participation and knowledge of the game of cricket grow in the Pembina Valley.

The arrangement has the division leasing a portion of land on the grounds of Northlands Parkway Collegiate to the city for $5.00. GVSD Board Chair Laurie Dyck said the city will seed the land, and the cricket association will raise the funds for the pitch. The hope is to get the grass seeded this spring.

The cricket association has been seeking a place to establish a cricket pitch for some time, and this will meet that need.

The land for the cricket pitch is located on the northeast side of the school grounds, with an area a little larger than 2 soccer fields.

"It's great to be community members that can help each other out," said Dyck.  Dyck said the cricket association is driven to get more people in the community involved.  "They have things in play to approach schools and teach children to play the game...so there's an opportunity for students to learn a new game, and it also brings a new opportunity to the whole community."

NPC Principal Tammy MacDonald said they are very excited to partner with the local cricket association.  "They've made the offer to teach our kids about the game of cricket.  So this would be one more opportunity, if it happens during the day, for our phys ed students not to have to leave the grounds to do curling or skating...this is something that would be available on our grounds."

Dyck noted the agreement will be in place as long as the division doesn't need that land to expand for further education purposes.  "There is a clause in the agreement that we have the opportunity to give notice if we want to use the land for other purposes."