By Dwayne Ferreira
What began as a bold vision in Piliyandala has, in just five years, transformed into one of Sri Lanka’s most respected grassroots sporting hubs, earning praise from elite clubs, young athletes, and everyday sports lovers alike.
As an invitee to the grand opening five years ago, The Morning Telegraph can personally vouch that the vision and drive behind the purpose-built Grand Park Arena have not only fulfilled their original promises but have remained firmly on course in achieving every stated goal. Over the past five years, the facility’s mission has stayed consistent, focused, and unwavering, something increasingly rare in the sporting infrastructure landscape.
Grand Park Arena, Piliyandala, spread across a lush one-acre footprint, has steadily grown into a vibrant sporting hub catering to athletes of all ages and levels, staying true to its founding vision of delivering world-class facilities with a strong local soul. Visiting sportsmen, teams, and clubs consistently speak highly of both the quality of the facilities and the genuine value for money the arena provides.
The journey began with the launch of Sri Lanka’s finest indoor cricket arena, meticulously constructed in accordance with ICC guidelines and officially endorsed by the Colombo District Cricket Association, which is affiliated with Sri Lanka Cricket. Since its opening, the indoor arena has become a preferred destination for Premier and Major Clubs, Division 3 teams, the Mercantile sector, schools, private cricket academies, and individual cricketers seeking one-on-one coaching under renowned coaches.
The second phase of development further elevated the experience with the addition of a fully secured, flood-lit outdoor arena featuring a center matting wicket. Designed to accommodate hardball, softball, and tape ball cricket, this outdoor facility has quickly become a favourite among local teams, particularly for Under-9, Under-10, and Under-11 academy matches. It has also proven ideal for day-night games, tournaments, and practice fixtures conducted under lights.
Beyond infrastructure, Grand Park Arena has played a monumental role in supporting young athletes and sportsmen in the surrounding area, contributing significantly to the growth of sport at the grassroots level. Its impact on youth development and community engagement has been both tangible and widely acknowledged.
And the momentum continues.
As part of its next expansion phase, Grand Park Arena is set to introduce Pickleball, the world’s fastest-growing sport. Three state-of-the-art indoor Pickleball courts are nearing completion and are scheduled to be commissioned next month, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for multi-sport enthusiasts.
Five years on, Grand Park Arena stands not merely as a sporting facility, but as a community hub, a launchpad for talent, and a living celebration of sporting dreams.
Watch this space. The best is yet to come.
Indoor cricket nets – Devananda road, Piliyandala, Sri Lanka gpacricket@outlook.com / 077 736 4194
