The International Cricket Council announced on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, that it had selected Eisenhower Park in Long Island as one of three host sites for the T20 World Cup. One of the proposed locations had been Van Cortlandt Park, pictured.
Photo ET Rodriguez
Local Bronx organizations and politicians opposed to a temporary 34,000-seat cricket stadium proposal for Van Cortlandt Park rejoiced on Wednesday — after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced it had nixed the park from its list of U.S. locations for next year’s World Cup, instead opting for a site on Long Island.
“Our initial reaction was excitement and relief that this was not going to happen,” said Christina Taylor, the deputy director of the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, in an interview with the Bronx Times. The alliance, a 501(c)3, aims to preserve and promote recreational, ecological and historical value of Van Cortlandt Park. “From the beginning we were very concerned about this being placed in our park and the damage that it would do.”
According to the ICC’s announcement Wednesday, a new 34,000-seat modular stadium at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County will be the local location for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 instead of the Parade Grounds in the southeast corner of Van Cortlandt Park, which Mayor Eric Adams had been lobbying for.
The cities of Dallas and Miami will also host the tournament next year — the first time the World Cup will take place in the U.S., according to the ICC.
The ICC in awarding the sites for the tournament made note that Eisenhower Park is “a purpose-built sports and events park.” A 34,000-seat modular stadium will be constructed there on awarding of the required permit next month, according to the announcement.
“Whether it be PGA events, record breaking concerts in our parks, or the annual Belmont Stakes, we are no stranger to hosting large scale events on the world stage. I look forward to bringing…
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