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Lowell board grants provisional hours after months of cricket scheduling conflict at city fields
Summary
After a lengthy public exchange over competing permits at Harvey/Hubby fields, the board granted a provisional permit and directed staff to seek a lead‑level agreement that would limit overlap between two cricket leagues.
The Lowell City Parks & Recreation board on Wednesday granted a provisional permit after more than an hour of public discussion about competing cricket schedules at city fields.
Cricket organizers asked the board for additional Saturday hours at Harvey Field/Hubby Field, saying their matches commonly last more than four hours and that their league schedules limit how early they can start. Other organizers objected, saying the request would conflict with previously issued permits and leave other teams without Sunday or weekend access.
After extended debate — during which organizers described attempts to split Saturdays and Sundays and to combine leagues — the board voted to grant a permit for one requester from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays with the understanding that staff will seek confirmation from the other league’s leadership that it can limit its start time so fields will be clear by 12:30 p.m. Several board members warned this arrangement is provisional and said next season the department expects leagues to cooperate on shared field time.
Earlier in the meeting the board also approved a separate request to issue a $550 credit for multiple rain‑canceled permit dates, after staff confirmed rain cancellations on the listed Saturdays.
Board members and league organizers discussed practical solutions including earlier start times (07:30 a.m.), shifting one league to Sunday and combining league schedules to reduce the frequency of the conflict. Organizers and the board noted field size and lighting constraints and said the city has limited field inventory to meet growing demand from multiple youth and adult sports.
The board asked staff to obtain a prompt response from the other league’s leadership and to report back; members said they will not change permit rules in midseason but may take a firmer stance in future permit cycles if leagues do not cooperate.
The board approved the provisional permit by voice vote; members emphasized the permit is contingent on the other league’s willingness to accept the adjusted start time and that staff will follow up by email to document the lead‑level agreement.
