Derby City Council Leader, Councillor Ranjit Banwait, called cricket “a fantastic way of raising aspirations for local people” in his interview on BBC Radio Derby.
Plans have been submitted to the Council’s Cabinet to support ground development at The 3aaa County Ground during the next three years.
Building on the Club’s current £1million investment into a state-of the-art new cricket centre of excellence, a new Conference & Events venue in time for April 2015 and upgraded Members’ facilities, a further £3million investment is proposed between now and the summer of 2017.
Further projects will include a new Media Centre to support coverage of county cricket, floodlight upgrades and the creation of improved spectator facilities.
And Councillor Banwait revealed just how much he shares the Club’s ambition and vision for the future.
He said: “One of the things we talked about when I became Leader was being ambitious working with external partners like Derbyshire CCC. We share in their dreams and aspirations.
“This is about investing for jobs and regeneration as well as helping our local cricket club compete on the world stage.
“The plans set out in their planning document are really inspiring. The work they are doing is key, whether it’s working in our local community and schools, or creating jobs. Cricket is a fantastic way of raising aspirations for local people.
“We will also attract the kind of events that will continue to make Derby an economic powerhouse. This will strengthen the city’s prosperity for years to come.
“I was honoured to meet their India international signing Cheteshwar Pujara at my old school Dale Primary back in September.
“Speaking to the children, it was clear that sport makes them ambitious for the future.
“Cricket has that potential and we just need to unlock that. We are ambitious for Derby and this is an example of that ambition.”
Derbyshire Chief Executive Simon Storey said: “We want to play our role in the regeneration of Derby.
“This investment will deliver great facilities to host cricket, concerts and other events and will create new jobs in the heart of the City.
“It will also drive revenues that we can invest on the development of a successful cricket team on the field.
“Cricket, from grassroots to the professional game, will have facilities at The 3aaa County Ground that Derby can be proud of.”
Derbyshire County Cricket Club Chris Grant added: “This is a transformational moment in our 145 year history, made possible by the excellent relationship we have formed with Derby City Council under the leadership of Ranjit Banwait and his executive team.
“A redeveloped 3aaa County Ground will put Derbyshire on the map as a model non-Test venue, our commercial growth will create jobs and stimulate the local economy and community initiatives will help us inspire young people to get active by taking up cricket.”
