Sometimes it seems like there aren’t many options for sports once winter arrives (apart from skating or skiing-related ones). But just because the grass outside may be dead, doesn’t mean you have to put away those running shoes. There is a new centre opening this fall that has three indoor turf courts that can be rented for various sports.

The Ministry of Cricket & Other Homeless Sports Sportsplex is located near Marché Central. Whether for team, individual, recreational, league sports or for sports-themed parties, school trips or corporate events, the facility’s artificial grass courts can be rented year-round.

The sportsplex has two 100′ x 45′ courts, one of which has five retractable cricket nets/batting cages, as well as a 30′ x 45′ training court. Need more space? No problem, the training court and one of the large courts can be combined to form a mega court, 140′ x 45’, or two medium courts, 70′ x 45’. The facility also has changing rooms, showers, a café, table tennis and a spectator/party area for those who want to put their feet up and relax.

The Ministry of Cricket & Other Homeless Sports hopes to become the premier cricket practice facility in Quebec, and will offer kids courses as of Sept. 13. The 10-week course will be geared to kids 4 to 11 and will take place Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Run by coaches with more than 20 years experience, the program promises to teach kids the fundamentals of cricket.

Court rentals range from $30 to $210 per hour, depending on the size and time of use, while themed birthdays cost $300. You can rent bouncy castles for $250. The sportsplex is located at 1301 Mazurette St. opposite the Marché Central shopping centre. For more information, call 514-445-7295 or visit ministryofcricket.ca.