21. Cupertino Cricket AcademyDEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 950143255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777 -3110 • FAX: (408) 777 -3366
STAFI' REPORT
Agenda Item No. � I
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
MEETING DATE: March 16, 2010
Consider a request from the California Cricket Academy for:
a. Use of Library Field for a National Women's Cricket Tournament during Spring 2010
b. Conversion of the Cricket pitch at Library Field to a Turf Wicket Pitch
BACKGROUND
Staff received a request from the California Cricket Academy (CCA) to use Library Field for a
National Women's Cricket Tournament (Attachment A). Women and youth require the same size
field and Library Field will work. Initially, the dates were April 9 -11, but will move into May,
2010.
There are two issues in this request. The first issue is to use Library Field for the tournament. Such
a tournament is not consistent with the Cupertino Field Use Policy. The second issue is the request
to convert Library Field into a turf wicket pitch.
Council would need to waive the parts of the Field Use Policy to allow the cricket tournament to
take place. The converting of Library Field to a turf wicket pitch has some initial expense and an
ongoing cost.
ANALYSIS
a. Use of Library Field for a National Women's Cricket Tournament spring 2010
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Field Use Policy waivers
1) Groups may only request the use of a field to accommodate a tournament for their own
players. CCA is requesting a tournament for teams that are not part of its organization,
which is not permitted by the Field Use Policy.
2) The request includes Sunday use. Our Field Use Policy states "Sunday Permits are
exclusive to those organizations already in possession of Monday - Saturday Permits who use
fields regularly over the course of the Fall or Spring Use Period."
3) The Field Use Policy does not allow CCA to book this tournament for an outside group.
The policy states "Any organization found to be scheduling field time for use by another
organization (that would otherwise have a lower priority for field scheduling) will have its
permit revoked for the season and will last priority for field scheduling next season."
Council could approve a waiver from these sections of the Field Use Policy and allow the
tournament to take place.
Fees
If Council approves the tournament, the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the sponsoring
organization, would be required to pay a fee. Under the Cupertino Field Use Policy, the
tournament would be considered a non - resident, adult, commercial non - profit organization. The
fee is $100 per hour, two hour minimum, a $600 base fee and a $600 refundable damage deposit.
Other Uses
Library Field is reserved all Saturdays through June 12 by the United States Youth Volleyball
League except for May 15 when it is booked by the OSF Festival. CCA has it reserved after June
12. However, it is possible to move the volleyball to Linda Vista Park.
Benefits of the Women's Cricket Tournament
Cupertino has a growing population of persons interested in cricket. This tournament offers
opportunity to expose the community to cricket. As noted by Hemant Buch in his email, Cupertino
could receive great publicity and exposure through the ICC. There is also potential benefit from
visiting teams staying in Cupertino hotels and eating at Cupertino restaurants.
b. Convert Cricket Pitch to a Turf Wicket Pitch
Cost
Currently, the cricket pitch at Library Field has the clay bricks recently requested by CCA at
a City cost of $5000 and a temporary surface placed when a match is being played or
practice is taking place. The ICC believes the current clay bricks are more dangerous than
an all-grass pitch. The turf wicket is all grass which has been mowed to a half -inch or less.
The surface is similar to a putting green on a golf course. Attachment B, is a letter from
Wendell Coppin of the International Cricket Council — Americas explaining how to build
this surface.
21 -2
According to Wendell Coppin of the ICC, while bermuda grass is a preferred grass, the
current bluegrass and ryegrass will work:. The grass needs to be mowed to the correct
height and the new turf wicket be installed as outlined in his letter. The estimated cost of
installing the turf wicket pitch is $10,003. Mr. Buch indicated in his request that ICC and
USA Cricket Association would be willing to help pay for part or all of the new pitch. ICC
Americas can help with the actual installation.
The ongoing maintenance cost could be more as the grass has to be mowed to half- inch.
Estimated ongoing cost is $25,000 for a quarter -time maintenance worker. Finally, Park
Maintenance staff would need to purchase a special mower that can mow the grass to the
less than half inch height. This hand mower costs $7,000.
Cost Summary
Initial Capital Cost
Special lawn mower - $7,000
Ongoing cost
Maintenance - $25,000
Installation of grass pitch - $10,000
Total Cost - $17,000
Total Ongoing Cost - $25,000
Impact on other uses
Converting to the turf wicket pitch will impact other uses since the grass outside of the pitch
will be two inches in height while only one half inch or less along the pitch. While the grass
will grow back when not mowed, it will take time to grow back. This will make soccer and
volleyball more difficult and potentially dangerous.
Time
The turf wicket pitch, using existing grass could be ready in time for a May tournament,
provided Cupertino receives assistance from ICC Americas.
Benefits of the Turf Wicket
According to the email from Mr. Buch (Attachment A), the turf wicket meets the
requirements of the ICC. Meeting the ICC standard will enable Cupertino to host
tournaments, ICC camps, and international exposure. Cupertino could benefit if
participants stay in local hotels and eat in local restaurants.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is not making 'any recommendation but is ;seeking guidance from the City Council on this
request.
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SUBMITTED BY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMISSION BY:
arl Linder David W. Knapp
Director, Parks and Recreation City Manager
Attachment A - Email request for a National Women's Cricket Tournament
Attachment B - Letter from ICC Americas requesting conversion to turf wicket
21 -4
............
Attachment A
Mark Linder
From: Hemant Buch [buchhemant@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 7:17 PM
To: Mark Linder
Cc: Mahesh Nihalani; Orrin Mahoney; Wendell Coppin
Subject: Re: Letter
Hello Mark,
Thanks for your willingness to pursue this exciting opportunity further.
1) Women tournament is currently scheduled for April 9 -10 -11 but I will try to push it out by
about 4 weeks. I will know exact dates this week.
2) Benefits to Cupertino - With one Turf wicket pitch city of Cupertino is`set to gain a lot in
many ways. I have listed few:
a) Exposure from a Global cricket governing company - International Cricket council (ICC)
b) All ICC tournaments are broadcasted on ICC website daily.
c) Potential for tournamentfrom US national body
d)If facility meets the criteria, we have potential to have ICC camps for seniors, women and
youth for couple of weeks a year.
For ICC and US National body organized event they pay for everything:
- Facility fees
- Hotel
- Transportation
- Meals
3) Expenses for Turf pitch development - Between USA cricket association (with the help of
ICC) and California Cricket acdemy, we should be able to raise part or all of the fund required.
4) Whenever there is a tournament, we may need to use field on Sundays. So, may be 3 -4
sundays in a year.
Currently we are focusing on Library field so we can keep focus on Women and Junior. If we
have bigger field like Hyde Middle or creekside we can probably also attract seniors event.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if I can provide you any more information.
I have also copied our United States Cricket associations CEO Mr. Don Lockerbie on this
email.
Re,
Hemant
21 -5
Attachment B
M
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March 4, 2010
Hemant Buch
California Cricket Academy
RE: Cricket Field
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to confirm that, I viewed the field and the condition of the playing surface.
I would therefore, recommend the playing surface, be converted to a turf wicket. This would
allow cricket to be played as well as other sporting events, without any obstacles, or change to the
conditions that may increase the risk of injury.
For this to take place the current clay laid on the playing will need to be replaced, with fine
stones and top soil. The area will need some excavations to a depth of (1) foot, back filled with
the fine stones, (6) inches rammed and (6) inches (clay) top soil, which will be rolled to a finish
playing surface.
This would also give the playing area the standard requirements to meet the ICC pitch and
playing field standards.
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me at my Barbados
office telephone or email below.
Sincerely,
WORP
fis,✓
Wendell Coppin
Regional Development Officer.
International Cricket Council - Americas
1CCAnter•icas - Regional Office
3 Concorde Gate, Smite 301, .Toronto, Ontario, N PC3N7, Canada
Mission Gap, Britton's Cross Road, St Michael, Barbados.
(T) 416 -426 -7312 (F) 416 -426 -7172 (AI)246 2331021 (Lrnail) wende //. copl)in a,iceanter•icas ?Ms