THE turning of the sod on Friday marked the start of construction of the International Cricket Hall of Fame (ICHOF) at Bradman Museum.
Bradman Foundation Chairman Michael Ball and Mayor Duncan Gair both turned the soil to begin the historic project.
Around the world there are buildings to commemorate the greats of baseball and basketball but no international cricket hall of fame.
Mr Ball said the foundation believed Bradman Oval was the spiritual home of cricket and was therefore appropriate for the international cricket hall of fame.
“It is where he (Don) played his first matches and where his ashes are scattered,” he said.
“It is remarkable that a game as old as cricket has never had an international cricket hall of fame in the past.”
The ICHOF will create a living centre of cricket, not only dedicated to the history of cricket, but also showcasing all forms of the international modern game through the latest interactive technology.
Funded by the Federal Government, donations and sponsorships it is anticipated the building will be completed by May, with the fit out finished later in the year before the Ashes series.
The Bradman Museum will remain and be incorporated into the hall of fame to produce a seamless experience.
Bringing the tourist dollar and sporting greats is another benefit for the whole of the Highlands.
Mayor Gair said the future was bright for tourism in the Southern Highlands with this added attraction.
“Thinking of all those cricketing greats...if they want to be inducted then they have to come to Bowral,” he said.
“So there will be a procession of cricketing greats as the cricket hall of fame and then gains the recognition over the years that I think it will get.
“The flow on to residents will be great as every resident benefits from tourism and every business somehow benefits from tourism.”
Armed with a shovel instead of a bat, the two men moved out to ceremonially start the building.
The shovels were engraved with the words, “To commemorate the commencement of the construction of the International Cricket Hall of Fame. A community project of national and international significance at Bradman Oval, October 30, 2009.”