[towerguy3]

The Stadium proposal has been deleted from the new Whitecaps site. There is still a link to the Stadium Now supporters.

Mabey I'm making a mountain out of a hill here but could the Whitecaps be losing faith in the Stadium dream?

[mr.x]

The Whitecaps have launched a new website, and it's not quite done yet from what i heard. The stadium link is still there, you have to click "Stadium" under the navigation panel to find it.

[vitc]

Or more positively they could be preparing their newest proposal?

[jlousa]

The project is still alive, it's in pre-bid. No news on it, they are constantly tweeking it to increase their chances at approval. Personally I would prefer they do the 30,000 plan all at once.

[towerguy3]

So do the Whitecaps have an agreement with the land owner as to where the stadium will be sited? Over the Seabus or at the Helijet pad? Has that even been decided as the City can't go forward until and unless they have a site. Everything I've heard is the ball is back in the Whitecaps court. Everyone says the City is dragging its feet but they need a solid proposal to peruse

[officedweller]

Whitecaps ready to make another stadium proposal
Wednesday, September 19 - 03:18:59 PM
Shane Bigham

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The Vancouver Whitecaps have made some changes to their controversial stadium proposal. Last spring, three public hearings at City Hall did not go very well for the team when a huge delegation of people from Gastown said it would be dangerous to build the stadium overtop of the rail yard on the waterfront.

Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi says they've been working with the city on their stadium proposal for months. "Behind the scenes we've been continuing to work at it, but this is the first face to face meeting with the city since before the summer break. We're in discussions with the port about the land we'd like the stadium to go on. It's no longer near the TransLink terminal."

The new proposal would see the stadium built next to the tracks, between the Helijet pad and the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place. The team will likely face a new round of public hearings before they can get approval to build.

****************

Not quite sure where that site would be - as the seabus terminal would be there...

[Lee_Haber8]

Whitecaps ready to make another stadium proposal
Wednesday, September 19 - 03:18:59 PM
Shane Bigham

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The Vancouver Whitecaps have made some changes to their controversial stadium proposal. Last spring, three public hearings at City Hall did not go very well for the team when a huge delegation of people from Gastown said it would be dangerous to build the stadium overtop of the rail yard on the waterfront.

Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi says they've been working with the city on their stadium proposal for months. "Behind the scenes we've been continuing to work at it, but this is the first face to face meeting with the city since before the summer break. We're in discussions with the port about the land we'd like the stadium to go on. It's no longer near the TransLink terminal."

The new proposal would see the stadium built next to the tracks, between the Helijet pad and the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place. The team will likely face a new round of public hearings before they can get approval to build.

****************

Not quite sure where that site would be - as the seabus terminal would be there...

That site right now is a parking lot. I can't see any real technical problems with this one - the only thing you would need to do is add some pedestrian walkways.

[jlousa]

As far as I know and I could be wrong, there is no legal obligation to go thru city council, only a friendly agreement between VPA and COV. If I recall the port lands are federal property and the city does not really have jurisdiction, but the VPA has agreed to consult the city on any development, sort of a friendly neighbour arrangement. This is not to say the stadium would go ahead without city consent as it wouldn't be in VPA's interest to do so, but if it were something that was in VPA's interest,say a new cargo terminal, they could do so w/o city authorization. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyways I feel the stadium will go ahead, as there are lots of rumblings about it after a long delay. So it is not dead, and appears to be unkillable. Personally I liked the seabus location better then the parking lot one.

[hollywoodnorth]

Whitecaps ready to make another stadium proposal
Wednesday, September 19 - 03:18:59 PM
Shane Bigham

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The Vancouver Whitecaps have made some changes to their controversial stadium proposal. Last spring, three public hearings at City Hall did not go very well for the team when a huge delegation of people from Gastown said it would be dangerous to build the stadium overtop of the rail yard on the waterfront.

Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi says they've been working with the city on their stadium proposal for months. "Behind the scenes we've been continuing to work at it, but this is the first face to face meeting with the city since before the summer break. We're in discussions with the port about the land we'd like the stadium to go on. It's no longer near the TransLink terminal."

The new proposal would see the stadium built next to the tracks, between the Helijet pad and the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place. The team will likely face a new round of public hearings before they can get approval to build.

****************

Not quite sure where that site would be - as the seabus terminal would be there...



I assume this is the location? http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=49.286782,-123.110253&spn=0.000857,0.002186&t=h&z=19&om=1

[jlousa]

That was the 2nd proposal, the latest one I believe is about 250m east, where the parking lot directly south of the helijet pad is.

[officedweller]

As far as I know and I could be wrong, there is no legal obligation to go thru city council, only a friendly agreement between VPA and COV. If I recall the port lands are federal property and the city does not really have jurisdiction, but the VPA has agreed to consult the city on any development, sort of a friendly neighbour arrangement. This is not to say the stadium would go ahead without city consent as it wouldn't be in VPA's interest to do so, but if it were something that was in VPA's interest,say a new cargo terminal, they could do so w/o city authorization. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong.

That's correct.
Likewise, CMHC has an agreement with COV regarding Granville Island.

Is there enough space between the waterfront road and the Helipad for a stadium? Would the long side of the field be east west or north south?

[leftside]

That's correct.
Likewise, CMHC has an agreement with COV regarding Granville Island.

Is there enough space between the waterfront road and the Helipad for a stadium? Would the long side of the field be east west or north south?

I presume it would have to be east west to be able to fit there. I also prefered the second location. The NIMBY's will go friggin mental with this 3rd proposal.

[officedweller]

An east-west orientation for the field eliminates the view down the open end of the stadium that was shown in the promotional materials - that's a substantial change - unless they leave a long side without stands (or without tall stands)

[jlousa]

The stadium is still north-south oriented, i imagine they will need to drive some piles and fill in part of the inlet, although alot less work then building it where the seabus terminal is.

I'm still crossing my fingers for the seabus location. It made the most sense and would be the easiest to tie into the existing street network.

[djh]

I don't get it. Why didn't they just go with this location in the first place, rather than starting with a) above the tracks, then b) over the seabus terminal, and now c) ?by the heliport? ?
It's all owned by the same landlord, so why didn't they start with this, the least technically-complex location, and no doubt the cheapest, fastest and safest to develop?

Any ideas?

[towerguy3]

Will this new location allow for a longer field surface to accomodate a CFL sized field (110 yards plus two 20 yard end zones?)

[officedweller]

I don't get it. Why didn't they just go with this location in the first place, rather than starting with a) above the tracks, then b) over the seabus terminal, and now c) ?by the heliport? ?
It's all owned by the same landlord, so why didn't they start with this, the least technically-complex location, and no doubt the cheapest, fastest and safest to develop?

Here's my take:
The first location over the tracks was owned by Kerfoot (or an affilaited company) (bought from CP) - so no brainer as to why it was first.
Second location was to appease Gastown residents etc., so it was moved further from Gastown (presumably VPC land leased to Translink for the Seabus).
Third location - sounds like problems with the Seabus terminal forced them back closer to Gastown.

[Lee_Haber8]

Will this new location allow for a longer field surface to accomodate a CFL sized field (110 yards plus two 20 yard end zones?)

No, this stadium is soccer-specific so it will only accommodate soccer and a few rugby games and concerts

[towerguy3]

I hear there was some angry words exchanged at a city council meeting yesterday re this stadium. Proponents of the stadium are accusing Vancouver City council of stalling. The councillors apparently had no response. The anger level appears to be rising.

By building the stadium at the Helijet parking lot location, they could get around the need for pylons in the water as the stadium would be built right on solid land. Is that necessarily going to speed up construction time?

[EastVanMark]

I presume it would have to be east west to be able to fit there. I also prefered the second location. The NIMBY's will go friggin mental with this 3rd proposal.

Correction; the nimbys will go *cough* are *cough* mental with ANY proposal.;)

[EastVanMark]

I hear there was some angry words exchanged at a city council meeting yesterday re this stadium. Proponents of the stadium are accusing Vancouver City council of stalling. The councillors apparently had no response. The anger level appears to be rising.

By building the stadium at the Helijet parking lot location, they could get around the need for pylons in the water as the stadium would be built right on solid land. Is that necessarily going to speed up construction time?

Ya I think "stalling" is a HUGE understatement. Keep in mind Toronto's soccer stadium was announced within weeks of the Whitecaps proposal and theirs is done while ours hasn't even been approved yet. The problems surrounding the previous locations of the proposals could and should have been resolved by now. This is exactly the same kind of crap the city has put numerous other businesses through, throughout the years. Its an unprecedented cowardly act. Either approve the project or have the stones to come out publicly against it.

[djh]

^These are the same union jokers who are on strike because they aren't getting paid enough to sit on people's projects and watch them go bankrupt as the city team march around city hall's lawns...please somebody pull a Ronald Reagan and fire the lot of them, and clear the dead wood from this city. There are tonnes of people out there who are *more* talented and more responsive to real-world needs, and don't expect a job-for-life scenario for doing something a private company can do cheaper and faster.

Sheesh...unions. Good for 3rd world countries and for the 18th century, but please, no G8 country *needs* them in the modern world.
:hell:

[jlousa]

The stadium wasn't on the agenda for this week's council meeting, so no idea why it would even be brought up, didn't watch it so can't confrim or deny it was even brought up. Also there would still need to be pilings as that area is still not close to long enough, I would imagine they require 150Metres. so they will still need to fill, meaning an environmental assessment from the feds.

[leftside]

Correction; the nimbys will go *cough* are *cough* mental with ANY proposal.;)
Not true. There was a very positive response to the second proposal with the stadium over the seabus.

[towerguy3]

Seattle gets Major League Soccer Franchise for 2009 ! If that doesn't light a fire under people's butts to get going on this Stadium, nothing will:

http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/2007/09/seattle-to-mls-.html

[EastVanMark]

Seattle gets Major League Soccer Franchise for 2009 ! If that doesn't light a fire under people's butts to get going on this Stadium, nothing will:

http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/2007/09/seattle-to-mls-.html

Don't worry. It won't. :slob: