Vernon Township breaks ground on new Cricket Pitch

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new youth Cricket Pitch took place on Saturday, July 29, adjacent to the Vernon Township Administrative Building, located at 3050 N. Main Street in Buffalo Grove. The project was initiated by Vernon Township Supervisor Jonathan Altenberg, who has received numerous requests over the years from township residents to provide an opportunity for local youth to learn and play the game of Cricket.

Construction is set to begin on the youth Cricket Pitch soon, and once completed, it will include a concrete pad covered with a thick artificial turf as a cover. A 22-yard pitch (a central strip) will be in the center of the field where temporary wickets can be placed at each end and spaced so the ball used in the game can't pass between them. The field's orientation will be designed so that usage on most of the current baseball and softball fields on the township property can continue.

The township hopes to have the new field available to youth players by mid-September.

"I'm very excited to add something new to the township's offerings for our residents that promotes both mental and physical well-being and health," said Trustee Gowri Magati. "The youth Cricket Pitch will add to our other family-friendly recreational offerings, such as our athletic fields, parks, the picnic shelter, the Jacob Grossman Pool, and the township's summer camps."

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game that is played between two teams of 11 players. The game helps to increase muscle strength, flexibility, coordination and agility, and team play. As with many sports, it also encourages strategic thinking and social interaction.

Several local, state and federal leaders attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Supervisor Altenberg, township Trustees Gowri Magati, Phil Hirsch and Marc Sender, township Clerk Tim Kobler and township Assessor Curtis Perlman. From the village of Buffalo Grove, Trustees Andy Stein and Joanne Johnson were in attendance, as well as state Sen. Adriane Johnson, state Rep. Dan Didech and Congressman Brad Schneider. Community members and local business owners also came out to show their support at the groundbreaking event.

For information on this, and future projects led by Vernon Township, visit vernontownship.com or call (847) 634-4600.