[towerguy3]

On Oct 29, FIFA will vote as to whether Canada or Germany get the 2011 Women's World Cup. With the City strike now over, are we going to hear something about the Whitecaps Stadium? We gotta get it finished by the Olympics so we can have Outdoor concerts!!!

Come on City Council, stop dragging this out!!!

[Rusty Gull]

Is there any news online about this? Or info from City Hall? I'd also like to hear about the latest with the stadium proposal. This has been dragged out forever!!

[mr.x]

Stadium Delays Cost Vancouver Taxpayers $5 million

City to Close David Lam Park & use Downtown Parking Lot for Olympic Plazas

OFFICIAL FRIENDS OF SOCCER MEDIA RELEASE

Delays in approving the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium will cost municipal taxpayers $5 million as city staff and 2010 organizers were forced to develop temporary plazas for the "Olympic Live" public sites during the Winter Games. The free public plazas, which will feature giant television screens, sponsor tents and live concerts, will be located on a parking lot on Beatty St. and in Yaletown's David Lam Park. The $23 million facilities will have a capacity of 10,000 and 13,000 respectively, and both will be dismantled following the 2010 games.

VANOC had earlier expressed an interest in holding the public cultural components of the Winter Games in the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, and reinforced that view to City Council as late as May, 2006. A completed Whitecaps Stadium could have provided greater capacity, substantial reductions in infrastructure and security costs, and would have provided a permanent legacy for the games. Friends of Soccer pro-stadium activist Bill Currie blasted City Council for the delays at Thursday's Planning and Environment meeting.

"If there was ever a red flag that we need permanent gathering places downtown, this is it. A fantastic gathering place was offered to both the City and VANOC as early as 2004 in the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium," he told councillors . "It was a gift to the city, in a beautiful spot where Vancouver began. Despite overwhelming support, 4 rounds of public consultation, and 2 unanimous votes from this Council, it hasn't proceeded far enough or fast enough. We're paying the price for this now."

Although Currie made it clear he fully supports the free public Olympic Sites, he expressed concern for residents and local soccer over the closing of David Lam Park.

"It's also sad for our citizens and local residents that the city will have to cut off the seawall and decommission a public park and popular sports field for what will likely be several months. And while I support this project, I can honestly say that the soccer community will not like that one bit."

"It appears the time for 2010 is too late. So, along with the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the dozens of sporting events, cultural events and festivals that could have been held by now, we'll chalk this up as another lost opportunity. But, what makes this lost opportunity different is that it's going to cost the taxpayers of Vancouver $5 million dollars. I believe this could have been avoided."

Councillors present provided no questions nor rebuttal.

Friends of Soccer is a grassroots movement that supports soccer projects as well as the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium. Bill Currie and the Friends of Soccer (www.friendsofsoccer.org) urge all citizens of Vancouver to continue to write, phone and visit City Hall to make their voices heard.

[mr.x]

Swangard a great site, waterfront even better
Just imagine if downtown soccer stadium was built for tournament

Terry Bell, The Province
Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Brazil versus Spain in a round-of-16 game at a sold-out 10,000-seat Swangard Stadium in Burnaby on Wednesday night? For FIFA Under-20 World Cup organizers, it doesn't get much better than that.

Unless, of course, it's Brazil versus Spain at a 20,000- or 25,000-seat stadium on Vancouver's downtown waterfront.

How spectacular might that have been? A jammed stadium. Clear blue skies. Mountains shimmering in the background. Anywhere between 50 to 100 million people watching on television around the world.

"We really lucked out, didn't we?" John Rocha, chairman of the organizing committee for the Burnaby site said Monday as his phone rang off the hook with callers trying to get their hands on a pair of the now-impossible-to-get tickets.

"It could be one of these classic soccer moments in B.C. history. This is exciting. It's a beautiful grass pitch. The 10,000 people who will be there will be in for a treat."

Still, one wonders what might have been if city officials had acted more quickly on Vancouver Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot's proposal to build a midsize, outdoor stadium on Vancouver's waterfront. Kerfoot and former mayor Larry Campbell first started kicking the tires on this project seven years ago. Now, all those years and lord only knows how many studies, meetings and focus groups later, the car's still sitting on the lot unsold.

Rocha hopes the U20 success is the catalyst to bring some traction on getting the facility built.

"We've had some of the government officials out for this event and hopefully, collectively, they realize that a midsize, outdoor facility that's being built with private funds from Greg Kerfoot would be a great asset for the city," said Rocha.

"Having said that, you have to get through the processes. But in my opinion it's taken way too long to get to the point that we're at now.

"It's just unfortunate. The original intent was to have had it finished for this tournament."

Rocha is also on a committee trying win the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup for Canada. A Vancouver stadium is front and centre in their plans.

In Rocha's dream world, the Canadian women will win the 2007 World Cup in China this September and return to Canada to defend their title, with Vancouver being the event's focal point the way Toronto's new BMO Field is the U20 focal point. The U20 final will be played there on July 22.

"That's visionary stuff," said Rocha. "That's what Greg's trying to do. We just need some willpower on the part of politicians to make sure that we can get there. There was a willpower to get it done in Toronto [with mostly government money]. There has to be the willpower here, where the vast majority of the funds will be private."

Rocha isn't sure how many tickets could be sold for Brazil-Spain. But the U20 event has helped sell tickets to "The Beckham Game," the Oct. 3 exhibition at B.C. Place Stadium between David Beckham's L.A. Galaxy and the Vancouver Whitecaps. More than 33,000 tickets have already been sold for that one.

"The response to this event has been phenomenal," Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said in a statement.

"Based on demand, we have already opened the east side of the upper bowl. Interest continues to be very strong, so we will open the west side of the upper bowl [today at 10 a.m.]. This match has the potential to be the biggest single sports event in British Columbia this year."

"This [U20] tournament has heightened the awareness of soccer," said Rocha. "A lot of people are feeling bad that they didn't act on getting tickets and that's been a catalyst to ticket sales for the Galaxy game."

Just wondering, but how many politicians are feeling bad that they didn't get a Vancouver stadium built in time for the arrival of the world's best young soccer players?

[EastVanMark]

Stadium Delays Cost Vancouver Taxpayers $5 million

City to Close David Lam Park & use Downtown Parking Lot for Olympic Plazas

OFFICIAL FRIENDS OF SOCCER MEDIA RELEASE

Delays in approving the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium will cost municipal taxpayers $5 million as city staff and 2010 organizers were forced to develop temporary plazas for the "Olympic Live" public sites during the Winter Games. The free public plazas, which will feature giant television screens, sponsor tents and live concerts, will be located on a parking lot on Beatty St. and in Yaletown's David Lam Park. The $23 million facilities will have a capacity of 10,000 and 13,000 respectively, and both will be dismantled following the 2010 games.

VANOC had earlier expressed an interest in holding the public cultural components of the Winter Games in the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, and reinforced that view to City Council as late as May, 2006. A completed Whitecaps Stadium could have provided greater capacity, substantial reductions in infrastructure and security costs, and would have provided a permanent legacy for the games. Friends of Soccer pro-stadium activist Bill Currie blasted City Council for the delays at Thursday's Planning and Environment meeting.

"If there was ever a red flag that we need permanent gathering places downtown, this is it. A fantastic gathering place was offered to both the City and VANOC as early as 2004 in the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium," he told councillors . "It was a gift to the city, in a beautiful spot where Vancouver began. Despite overwhelming support, 4 rounds of public consultation, and 2 unanimous votes from this Council, it hasn't proceeded far enough or fast enough. We're paying the price for this now."

Although Currie made it clear he fully supports the free public Olympic Sites, he expressed concern for residents and local soccer over the closing of David Lam Park.

"It's also sad for our citizens and local residents that the city will have to cut off the seawall and decommission a public park and popular sports field for what will likely be several months. And while I support this project, I can honestly say that the soccer community will not like that one bit."

"It appears the time for 2010 is too late. So, along with the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the dozens of sporting events, cultural events and festivals that could have been held by now, we'll chalk this up as another lost opportunity. But, what makes this lost opportunity different is that it's going to cost the taxpayers of Vancouver $5 million dollars. I believe this could have been avoided."

Councillors present provided no questions nor rebuttal.

Friends of Soccer is a grassroots movement that supports soccer projects as well as the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium. Bill Currie and the Friends of Soccer (www.friendsofsoccer.org) urge all citizens of Vancouver to continue to write, phone and visit City Hall to make their voices heard.

How friggin typical! For anyone who wants to learn just how backwards things get in Vancouver City Hall needs to read that article. :shrug: :koko: :slob:

[mr.x]

Whitecaps should look south for stadium
Mayor would be happy to talk to team about site...in Surrey

Brian Lewis, The Province
Published: Sunday, October 21, 2007

The Vancouver Whitecaps have spent much time and money over the past few years trying to put their proposed downtown Vancouver stadium in the back of the net.

But shots to advance their cause have often been blocked by skilful regulatory goalkeeping at city hall.

So if this is the way Vancouver plays, as it has with past issues such as Wal-Mart, then the Whitecaps should look elsewhere.

Why not Surrey?

Assuming that the soccer world unfolds as many predict, and within a few years the Whitecaps graduate to the Major Soccer League where England mega-star David Beckham now resides, then they should consider the longer-term big picture.

It shows most regional growth over the next 30 to 40 years taking place south of the Fraser River and east into the Fraser Valley.

In effect, the Lower Mainland "core" is shifting south and east away from downtown Vancouver, where land costs and availability are prohibitive.

However, the Whitecaps already have major plans to build significant soccer infrastructure south of the Fraser.

The team is talking to Delta and Surrey about constructing a multi-million-dollar national training centre in either municipality.

As Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi explains in a document recently sent to the City of Surrey, the team proposes to build a six-field facility with a mix of artificial and grass surfaces that would include a clubhouse, a physiotherapy clinic, changing rooms and other technical facilities.

This proposal was sent to Surrey in response to a request by Coun. Tom Gill, who says the training centre should locate on the eastern end of the 120-hectare Tynehead Regional Park near 168th Street and 96th Ave.

Gill also admits he's been "dumped on" by some environmentalists for wanting to put the soccer facility into a regional park and, naturally, the regional district would have to be involved before anything happened.

However, Lenarduzzi also tells me that Delta is a long way ahead of Surrey in this race.

"We've been talking to Delta over the last year about building the national training centre there and we're near the point where something could happen," he said.

Delta chief administrative officer George Harvie says his municipality already has a 13-hectare recreation-zoned park near Highway 91 and Highway 10 that could accommodate the training centre.

And the city could give the Whitecaps a favourable long-term lease similar to the deal it did with the Western Hockey League Vancouver Giants, whose training centre is also located in Delta.

So why not put both the national training facility and the stadium south of the river so they'd be close together for the mutual benefit of many in the soccer community?

Lenarduzzi says the Whitecaps' stadium focus remains on the downtown waterfront, although he acknowledges that the region's growth is in the Valley.

But others can see the benefits of locating the stadium in Surrey.

One site often mentioned is the industrial area at the north end of Scott Road which is also served by SkyTrain. The city, the province and the private sector all own property there and it was once the proposed site for Pacific National Exhibition relocation.

"That's an ideal location for a soccer stadium," Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts says, "and I'd certainly like to get into discussions with the Whitecaps organization about it."

But convincing the Whitecaps to look south for their stadium location may require skills as exceptional as Beckham bending the ball.

If you have a story idea or noteworthy item about anything going on in the Fraser Valley, you can e-mail Brian at blewis@png.canwest.com




fuck....the most retarded people are in charge of city hall.

[twoNeurons]

I hope there's a serious threat for Downtown Vancouver to lose the Stadium, to tell you the truth. Sure in the end, I would love city hall to wise up, but I think a stadium in Surrey with close proximity to the skytrain would really do well.

And lets face it, people don't go to a game for the view of the mountains.

Surrey would probably allow a larger and less expensive stadium too.

[deasine]

I really feel sorry for the whitecaps now... dealing with all the politics...
still really want it in downtown but if the city of Vancouver's still being stupid, i guess we can only have it in Surrey...

[EastVanMark]

Great to see Brian Lewis at it again. The guy looks just a little too much like the Green River Killer. It is not up to Brian or anyone else to tell Kerfoot how or where to spend his money. Kerfoots vision was to push soccer to the forefront of the VANCOUVER sports scene. Building somewhere in...Surrey...doesn't quite get that done. Also, in typical Vancouver fashion, lets buck the trend of most cities building major sports facilities in or very close to their downtown core. Lets go back to the 70's and build them in the suburbs. Backwardsville strikes again!:hell: :yuck:

[excel]

Not what i was hoping to hear...

[agrant]

I stopped caring awhile back. Someone let me know when the stadium gets approved... somewhere.

[mr.x]

Caps hope for Cup spillover
FIFA tourney's success could boost bid for new stadium

Stuart Hunter, The Province
Published: Thursday, October 25, 2007

Last summer's FIFA Under-20 World Cup Canada 2007 provided a boost for soccer both on and off the pitch.

And that could bode well for hopes of landing the proposed Vancouver Whitecaps waterfront stadium near Canada Place.

The 24-country tourney, won by Argentina, generated about $260 million in economic activity in the four host provinces, according to the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance.

The event was held in Burnaby, Victoria, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal from June 30 to July 22 and attracted a tournament-record 1.192 million fans.

"Our Canadian friends demonstrated that they have an incredible hunger for sport and and ever-growing enthusiasm for football -- or soccer, as it is called in North America," said FIFA president Joseph Blatter.

"Hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup will no doubt continue to spur development of our sport across the nation, which is already reflected in the improving levels of players' technical skills as well as in wonderful new facilities such as Canada's National Soccer Stadium in Toronto."

B.C. soccer officials concurred.

"It certainly was a phenomenal tournament indicative of the true power of the sport . . . in a non-

traditional football market," said B.C. Soccer executive director Bjorn Osieck. "This will really help the sport to mature more and come into its own right."

Although B.C. Soccer's 130,000 members -- including 100,000 under age 18 -- likely won't see any direct results from the U-20 tourney, Osieck said most will likely benefit indirectly.

The Vancouver Whitecaps hope the tourney's success will help further their bid to move from Burnaby's 5,400-seat Swangard Stadium to a proposed 15,000-seater. But several hurdles remain.

"The city is in a bit of a holding pattern," planner Matt Shillito said. "Until the negotiations are concluded positively, there isn't much we can do. They haven't secured a site."

Once a deal is reached, the team would have to bring a proposal to the city, have public consultations, get council approval and then apply for rezoning -- a process that could take around 18 months.

The FIFA tourney "was a great event -- not just from a B.C. perspective but right across the country," said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. "The event exceeded expectations and it broke the old attendance record."

Lenarduzzi hopes the tourney's success helps sway FIFA brass to name Canada the host country of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Caps are expecting about 50,000 fans to attend the Nov. 7 exhibition match at B.C. Place Stadium between the Caps of the United Soccer League and the L.A. Galaxy of Major League Soccer, featuring superstar David Beckham.

shunter@png.canwest.com


© The Vancouver Province 2007






Port-land talks on again
The Province
Published: Thursday, October 25, 2007

Talks between the Whitecaps and the Vancouver Port Authority over a parcel of waterfront land continue.

"At this stage, negotiations have been productive," Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said yesterday. "The city side was on hold during the [CUPE] strike, but now negotiations [with the port] are ongoing."

The proposed 15,000-seat stadium may depend on the fate of the port-owned land between Crab Park and the SeaBus terminal. A land exchange is possible.

[mr.x]

A rendering of the new Whitecaps Stadium proposal has been posted at the Whitecaps FC website:
http://www.whitecapsfc.com/files/Images/Stadium/renderings/renderingsouth.jpg

is it just me, or is that a new building development south of the stadium (to the left of the SeaBus terminal and to the right of CP Station)?









http://www.whitecapsfc.com/files/Images/Stadium/renderings/footprint.jpg


older renderings
http://www.whitecapsfc.com/files/Images/Stadium/renderings/northview.jpg\

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/files/Images/Stadium/renderings/concertview.jpg

[\/^~<0(_)\/{9]

If this city weren't so retarded, the stadium would be well under construction or even built by now, and we'd have an MLS team by 2010 at the latest. (I'm sure based on Toronto FC's success, they would waive their Canadian exclusivity rights allowing us to have a team earlier if the stadium was in place).

But as it is, the window of opportunity has most likely already passed. However, should it eventually get built around say 2011 or 2012 and MLS already has 18 teams, based on the success of Toronto, I can't see MLS turning down the whitecaps if they have a committed owner, stadium, and a solid existing fan base in place when teams like New England can only draw 10,000 fans for a playoff game and teams like Colorado barely fill up half of their new 18,000 seat stadium. Nevermind horrible markets like Kansas City and Salt Lake.

The best thing for MLS would be to get a strong rivalry like the old Vancouver-Seattle-Portland one, or Toronto-Montreal. So hopefully Garber's comments will encourage city council to finally get the ball rolling or we can forget about MLS for a long while and the Whitecaps will be left as most likely one of the only west coast teams in a dying 2nd tier league.

[bbeliko]

I hope there's a serious threat for Downtown Vancouver to lose the Stadium, to tell you the truth. Sure in the end, I would love city hall to wise up, but I think a stadium in Surrey with close proximity to the skytrain would really do well.
.
As long as it is near a skytrain station i wouldnt care

[towerguy3]

if only the Whitecaps Stadium had been built by now, the BC Lions would have somewhere to move to while BC Place is closed for a new roof

[\/^~<0(_)\/{9]

will you and all the others please get this out of your head for the last time. The Whitecaps want absolutely NOTHING to do with the Lions. If/When this stadium gets built there will NEVER be a CFL game played there. Building the stadium to accomodate for a CFL field would require pushing the stands back much further, thus eliminating the whole intimate SOCCER SPECIFIC atmosphere they're trying to create (ever wonder where the term soccer specific stadium comes from?).


Furthermore, now I just browse here and dont post very often, but you seem to be going on and on about the Lions having to move while upgrades are made at BC Place. There's been absolutely no mention of it anywhere in the press, because it's purely just your speculation. It's not going to happen simply because there is no other place for them to play. And newsflash.... all your hopes for a retractable roof before 2010......it's not gonna happen.

[towerguy3]

Keep in mind the Montreal Alouettes play in Molson Stadium which holds 20,000. How do they manage to stay in business?

[Rusty Gull]

^Not only that, but some point to Molson Stadium (and its outdoor ambience and more intimate setting) as having saved Montreal's CFL franchise.

[Smooth]

will you and all the others please get this out of your head for the last time. The Whitecaps want absolutely NOTHING to do with the Lions. If/When this stadium gets built there will NEVER be a CFL game played there. Building the stadium to accomodate for a CFL field would require pushing the stands back much further, thus eliminating the whole intimate SOCCER SPECIFIC atmosphere they're trying to create (ever wonder where the term soccer specific stadium comes from?).


Furthermore, now I just browse here and dont post very often, but you seem to be going on and on about the Lions having to move while upgrades are made at BC Place. There's been absolutely no mention of it anywhere in the press, because it's purely just your speculation. It's not going to happen simply because there is no other place for them to play. And newsflash.... all your hopes for a retractable roof before 2010......it's not gonna happen.

I spoke with Bob Lenarduzzi at an open house about the possibility of the Lions sharing the stadium with the Whitecaps and he said that the Whitecaps did discuss sharing the stadium with the Lions but the Lions didn't want to publicly entertain the idea because that could give PAVCO an excuse to not renew their lease at BC Place. I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions did come on board if the waterfront stadium actually received approval.

Some people suggested that the Whitecaps aren't able to share the playing surface with the Lions due to MLS regulations but I don't believe that as the new Seattle MLS team will be sharing QWest field with the Seahawks.

[towerguy3]

Okay, time for number crunching. The standard MLS / FIFA soccer field is 120 yards long by 70 yards wide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soccer-specific_stadium

The CFL field is 110 yards plus two 20 yard end zones giving 150 yards long and 65 yards wide (as opposed to 53.5 yards wide in the NFL).

Between 70 yards for soccer and 65 yards for CFL, that's a difference of a lousy 5 yards of width, and a difference of 15 yards on each end zone ( 150 - 120 divided by 2 ).

Given that most of the seats of the Whitecaps Stadium will be along the sidelines and one end zone is open to view, I don't see how a lousy 5 yards difference in sidelines spacing will really make for that much of a "less intimate" atmosphere for the fans.

15 feet of difference? Not a justifiable argument against, I'm sorry.

The BC Lions football club is worth about $ 10 million. The cumulative salaries of all BC Lions players combined are less than that of Roberto Luongo.

A $ 10 million football team is not going to dictate to the Provincial Government what should happen to the roof of the Stadium given the Olympics are costing about $ 3 billion to put on and will pump billions into B.C.'s economy over future years.

May I remind you about 2 billion people are watching these Opening Ceremonies on NBC and TV networks around the world. If the Government deems if feasible and attractive to show off to the world a Retractable roof, then so be it.

If the Lions have to play a few games at Swangard and some other Home games on the road for 2009, so be it. They don't own the Stadium. They have a lease. They pay rent, supposedly. If they can't play in BC Place in 2009, they'll seek some compensation and get some compensation.

And I can assure you the BC Lions would greatly benefit long term with a Retractable roof. They could significantly boost their attendance during summer time games by having a fresh air environment for games in July, August and even September.

Not to mention a Retractable dome makes BC Place a viable option for future Major League baseball exhibition games and NFL games. David Braley is interested in having one regular season NFL game here, and don't tell me that an event of that magnitude wouldn't put Vancouver on the map.

Let's not forget the David Beckham game here. That game drew almost 50,000 fans and after it had been postponed too. Why not have more of that type of high profile international level soccer in Vancouver in future years, under a Retractable roof that people can be proud to look at.

Canada lost to Germany in hosting the Womens World Cup of Soccer but we'll be in a stronger position to bid for next time, and a nicer looking BC Place will give FIFA one more Stadium to consider in our bid.

[agrant]

If we're going to have any international or MLS games, I'd only approve of it if they played on real grass. That carpet they say is like real grass doesn't play like it. It forces players to change how they play. It's a different looking game as a result, which isn't good.

Beckham basically said himself that it sucked to play on.

[towerguy3]

FIFA field dimensions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_pitch

[towerguy3]

Yes the Sounders will be playing at Qwest Field in 2009. I saw their big ad posters up at Qwest last Seahawks game. If not there then they'd have to play at their old home Mercer Stadium at Seattle Center which has a very hard surface field and only holds 12,000.

How do I do a poll on this thread?

[Smooth]

Yes the Sounders will be playing at Qwest Field in 2009. I saw their big ad posters up at Qwest last Seahawks game. If not there then they'd have to play at their old home Mercer Stadium at Seattle Center which has a very hard surface field and only holds 12,000.

How do I do a poll on this thread?

You can't... and please don't start another threat to ask your poll question.

[Overground]

I didn't know where to put this but this thread is stickied and it's Whitecaps oriented. Whitecaps FC will be playing LA Galaxy again but this time it will be at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on 13 May.

This could be the first of many similar soccer games for Edmonton.

"We're not doing this as a one-off event," said Lenarduzzi, a former North American Soccer League star as well as former Canadian National and Olympic soccer league team coach.

"This is an opportunity to come into a good market, generate a great event and then look at what the possibilities are for next year."

Those possibilities, apparently, are endless.

Barcelona. Manchester United. Chelsea. Who knows?

"What we've said to the Galaxy if they are bringing in a Barcelona, a Real Madrid, a Chelsea, we want to know," said Lenarduzzi.

"If we could get a team of the stature of a Barcelona or a Real Madrid we would be all over it. If we get the response we think we are going to get, this is an option for us. If you look across the country, it would be hard to pick another venue that provides everything Commonwealth Stadium has. It has the capacity of 60,000. It has a natural grass field. It has a history of people turning out for big soccer games here."

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=bd6dd116-ca3a-4741-965d-dd8650470560&k=90353




So what gets me is that Vancouver's own club has to travel to Edmonton to play another West Coast team on real turf because we do not have anything as suitable. I suppose the agreement also has to do with the Whitecaps attempting more exposure for itself in another market while maintaining MLS' interest in the Whitecaps for future expansion.

[Overground]

Some more quotes,

"Our experience in Vancouver was wonderful, on the field and off ," said Lalas(Galaxy boss).

"I've heard nothing but wonderful things of Edmonton and the stadium. We definitely like the idea it'll be on grass. This will be an in-season game for us and it is highly beneficial to play on grass."

With a success, Lenarduzzi says the big picture plan to bring other similar sizzle events could be brought here.

"Ideally this will not be a one-off event," he said. It's a wonderful venue. And it's grass."

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Columnists/Jones_Terry/2008/02/14/4846038-sun.html

[twoNeurons]

Well, if Vancouver can't get a stadium... perhaps the Whitecaps will look at joining MLS from Edmonton?

Whitecaps logo... could be changes from The Pacific's Wave tips to the Rockies Snowy bits. :D

[Yume-sama]

Well, if Vancouver can't get a stadium... perhaps the Whitecaps will look at joining MLS from Edmonton?

Whitecaps logo... could be changes from The Pacific's Wave tips to the Rockies Snowy bits. :D

Not a very good idea. I have an inkling you won't find many soccer fans outside of Vancouver or Toronto. Not many that would be willing to pay to go watch, anyways. Calgary has tried a variety of failed soccer teams, baseball teams, and etc.

[Overground]

MLS wants to be in Vancouver but they need us to sort out this damn stadium. And football specific stadia is exactly what they want expansion teams to have, so Edmonton, though I wouldn't rule them out, are perhaps a long shot.

Whitecaps FC, which is the oldest continuous club in NA right now, was announced at being accepted into the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League, along with Toronto and Montreal which starts in August. It's based on the European Champions League where 24 teams compete.

Only 1 Cdn team will qualify so matches between our 3 clubs will be done before July. I think it's a pretty good deal for Canada because for now we will only have 3 clubs qualifying in a round robin where in the USA, they will have 4 club berths, but those are based on their results of MLS playoffs and final League results. Our odds are much better obviously. We need this stadium built more than ever now!

http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.asp?id=4084

[CPE]

The MLS just expanded to Seattle, and as far as I know they will be using Qwest Field as their home. So they will be sharing their stadium with the Seahawks. I just hope the City/Whitecaps/Port Authority can get something worked out real soon so we can get the Whitecaps into the MLS.

[Rusty Gull]

I wonder if Peter Ladner throwing his hat into the mayoral race (possibly) will have an impact on the Whitecaps stadium development. Ladner has generally been more supportive of this project than Sam Sullivan. I would love to see the stadium turned into an election issue.

[towerguy3]

Here are attendance figures for USL teams. Some teams such as Montreal and Rochester and even Portland draw quite well. 12,000 in Montreal sounds pretty good. Portland plays in PGE Park in downtown Portland which I found quite nice.

On the other head Miami drew a grand total of 483 (?) for their sixth home game. That's just ridiculous

http://www.soccercityusa.com/2007uslatt.html

[jlousa]

I know something....

[towerguy3]

Yes Jlousa I know I'm going to lose the bet. I'm just waiting for the official announcement from the Provincial Government on which way they're gonna go.

[EastVanMark]

Keep in mind the Montreal Alouettes play in Molson Stadium which holds 20,000. How do they manage to stay in business?

By:
1. Having on average, by FAR the highest ticket price in the league. (Almost double the price of comparable Lions tickets).
2. A TV and sponsorship deal that is so good that they release little details about them (although recently the team president did admit that there is a good chance that the amount they make off of television rights and sponsorships might be HIGHER than the rest of the league COMBINED)!

[towerguy3]

I wonder how much drag Pavco is putting on those Port negotiations when I see things like this:

I guess everyone is waiting on word about the new Roof...:tup:

http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/COMMSVCS/currentplanning/whitecaps/pdf/communityconsultation.pdf

specifically:

4.4.1 BC Pavilion Corporation
Harris Consulting met with John Harding, Chief Financial Officer, and Doris Bradstreet
Daughney, Chair of the Board of Directors, from BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), who
provided the following input:
Concerns
• As BC Place is capable of hosting soccer games, PavCo would object to public funds
going into constructing the Stadium.
• The Lions need 28,000 seats to break even and the possible expansion of the
proposed Stadium to 30,000 seats leaves room for the possibility of the CFL football
team being drawn to the new Stadium - PavCo is concerned that they could lose the
BC Lions to the new Stadium in the future, whose games are a key event held in BC
Place.
• The proposed Stadium and the new Convention Centre will greatly increase the use
of Waterfront Road.
• The access points proposed may be insufficient.
• The overlap of start and end of events (BC Place, GM Place, Convention Centre,
and Whitecaps Stadium) would cause major traffic, transit, and crowd problems in
the Downtown core.
• PavCo does not feel that a stadium will be a good use of the land because BC Place
already meets the needs for event space in Downtown.

[EastVanMark]

Here again, it seems that Vancouver is now falling even FURTHER behind other Canadian cities in soccer infrastructure. Montreal seems to be on the verge of already expanding its sparkling new stadium and pursuing an MLS franchise for 2009.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3hQiww2rBPoufizW72oN1NWp9hA

In the last 5 years both Toronto and Montreal have decided on sites, built stadiums, gained or are in the process of gaining MLS franchises, while in the same time frame, Vancouver finds itself no further ahead today than where it was on this date 5 years ago! STUPID! :mad: :irked: :brickwall: :brickwall: :mad:

[towerguy3]

Winnipeg is getting a new Stadium for the Blue Bombers party funded privately by David Asper. Edmonton is getting a new arena for the Oilers to the tune of $ 400 million.

In the meantime, nothing is happening with the Whitecaps. Pavco still sludges through reports and this and that and still hasn't made the right decision about BC Place Stadium. There's something fundamentally wrong with this Province.

When are those Open Houses for the False Creek Development plan around BC Place?

[agrant]

:previous: That $400 million figure for the Edmonton Arena sounds rather high. I know construction costs have inflated over the years, but this just seems crazy. Wasn't the arena in Montreal around $250 million, Vancouver around $150 million?

[towerguy3]

They were talking about $ 250 million just to renovate Rexall Place.

[Jacques]

Winnipeg is getting a new Stadium for the Blue Bombers party funded privately by David Asper. Edmonton is getting a new arena for the Oilers to the tune of $ 400 million.

In the meantime, nothing is happening with the Whitecaps. Pavco still sludges through reports and this and that and still hasn't made the right decision about BC Place Stadium. There's something fundamentally wrong with this Province.

When are those Open Houses for the False Creek Development plan around BC Place?

I did mention the other day that there is a go ahead with a double tower in form of H to be built at the foot of Cambie bridge and few other project, take a moment to stop at CONCORD PACIFIC new HQ at pacific boulevard and Carrall.
You can ask all the questions you wish about this development that is about to begin soon, as far as the east site of BC Place it will not begin until 2010.
hope this helps

[towerguy3]

thank you!

[jhausner]

It's difficult. There's only so much the City of Vancouver can do since the issue isn't with them but with the Vancouver Port Authority. As much as I'd like to see a stadium built out in say Surrey or something to add a needed staple to the new downtown plans, I think the proposal for the downtown soccer stadium would be amazing if realized for the city and region.

I'm not a soccer fan at all but it's so hugely popular and so many people in the region would benefit from us having an MLS team from an entertainment standpoint.

[towerguy3]

That's why I think there's some sort of connection between the Whitecaps Stadium and BC Place. I believe the decision on one will have an effect on the other.

[\/^~<0(_)\/{9]

For the last time, it has ZERO effect.

[towerguy3]

There's an analogy between this and the situation down in Seattle with the development of that new Emerald City Arena (with a Retractable Roof!

They want to spot the Emerald City Arena down at Pier 45 but the lease with Hanjin at that Port doesn't expire till 2015.

So we could conceivably see negotiations with the Port of Seattle much like our situation.

[jlousa]

On my calendar yesterday was Aprils 1st, pretty sure you can forget about a billion dollar arena built with private money for a money losing team.

[Overground]

Nothing really new but this was in the Province -

Marc Weber, The Province
Published: Friday, April 11, 2008

Sitting in his window office in The Landing, overlooking the proposed waterfront stadium location, Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi says he has a beautiful, yet cruel, view.

"When we first moved in," he said, "a fairly common occurrence was visualizing what it would look like and it's still something you do when you look out at the mountains and the water -- it would be a fantastic backdrop for a stadium.

"I guess I've got the point ... I still have the vision, but I don't have it as regularly as when I first moved in."

Lenarduzzi remains optimistic but his waning window gazing is a good indication of how frustrated he's been negotiating with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

The Whitecaps have been in talks with the VFPA for about 18 months since city council unanimously approved the proposal.

Owner Greg Kerfoot is committed to building the $75-million facility, and the Whitecaps have been negotiating a land exchange with the VFPA that would see Whitecaps-owned land over rail yards along Waterfront Road swapped for vacant port land close to the Helijet terminal.

Anne McMullin, a spokeswoman for the VFPA, did not return phone calls Thursday, but past comments indicate that the sticking point could be comparable land value -- an independent appraiser was assessing the plots -- or it could be potential land use.

Neither side is willing to get into the details. "We're inclined to keep that between the port and ourselves," said Lenarduzzi.

The rest here -

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=ce472e6d-02aa-48c3-a7da-4cfca4e1eabe

[towerguy3]

Give up Bob. It ain't gonna happen. The Stadium is toast.

[Overground]

I want Vancouver to get an MLS team so bad now that I'm beginning to accept any location for a stadium. They need to sort this thing out quick or we will never get a franchise. Like we've discussed in the past, what about on the other side of the new St Pauls development in the Flats? Scott Road? Richmond?

[JDRCRASH]

Give up Bob. It ain't gonna happen. The Stadium is toast.

Your toast.:haha:

Sigh, I love British Columbia.

[flight_from_kamakura]

WHAT? towerguy3 was banned? say it ain't so! this guy is classic!

(tangentially, i wonder if he'll have the audacity to return as towerguy4, that would be pretty cool)

[twoNeurons]

I don't see why he was banned... He's no worse than the classic back and forth we had years ago between mr.x and ???? I can't remember who it was or what the arguments were about but it invariably degraded into a schoolyard fight every single time.

It was when mr.x2 was just mr.x.

Hehehe... mr.x... remember those days? brings back memories of the old days of going between gamesbids and ssp.

[JDRCRASH]

Whats very interesting is that Aluminum was also banned(you can find him in the Chicago Forums), but yet he was able to come back, with the very same Username and signature.......

[flight_from_kamakura]

someone should start a 'bring back towerguy3' thread.

seriously, it's unfathomable to me how anyone could possibly become such a fanatic about a retractable roof on a sports stadium. i actually read his posts with a certain bemused joy - it's almost as if he's some kind of performance artist playing a very elaborate and incredibly ironic joke on all of us, by assuming a completely absurd retractable roof-obsessed character and devoting nearly all of his posts (and a great deal of his time) to it.

i was just catching up on the ssc thread on the bc place and i really couldn't help but smile, the whole way through.

[deasine]

I don't see why he was banned... He's no worse than the classic back and forth we had years ago between mr.x and ???? I can't remember who it was or what the arguments were about but it invariably degraded into a schoolyard fight every single time.

It was when mr.x2 was just mr.x.

Hehehe... mr.x... remember those days? brings back memories of the old days of going between gamesbids and ssp.

Wait I'm confused... was towerguy ever on Gamesbids? =O

i was just catching up on the ssc thread on the bc place and i really couldn't help but smile, the whole way through.

Me too. It's another case of sit back, relax, and enjoy the show =]

[MistyMountainHop]

I don't see why he was banned... He's no worse than the classic back and forth we had years ago between mr.x and ???? I can't remember who it was or what the arguments were about but it invariably degraded into a schoolyard fight every single time.

queetz?

I think that was the guy.

[twoNeurons]

Wait I'm confused... was towerguy ever on Gamesbids? =O



Me too. It's another case of sit back, relax, and enjoy the show =]

No no no... I can't remember the other other guy's name... there was a spat between another forumer and mr.x for a while. It got into personal insults and the like...

edit: yeah, queetz! What ever happened to him anyhow?

[mr.x]

I don't see why he was banned... He's no worse than the classic back and forth we had years ago between mr.x and ???? I can't remember who it was or what the arguments were about but it invariably degraded into a schoolyard fight every single time.

It was when mr.x2 was just mr.x.

Hehehe... mr.x... remember those days? brings back memories of the old days of going between gamesbids and ssp.

I'll unban TG3 in a few days, though his locked door timer has been tentatively set to the open the day after the 2010 Closing Ceremonies. But if you start a topic on this, i'll throw the key into the ocean for good. -_-

I don't remember what you're referring to, but I wouldn't be surprised.....in my defense, I was young - probably like 12 or 13 years old.



But yea, TG3 has mainly been temporary banned because the pm's some members sent me a few months.



Towerguy3 is Jamie25 in GamesBids.

[Hong Kongese]

I'll unban TG3 in a few days, though his locked door timer has been tentatively set to the open the day after the 2010 Closing Ceremonies.

Mr.X2, Good for you giving him another chance. I think he will learn the lesson and behave himself better.

[mr.x]

Vancouver Whitecaps to face off against the Vancouver Port Authority?
Vancouver/CKNW(AM980)

4/23/2008

The Vancouver Whitecaps and the Vancouver Port Authority are at loggerheads on a land swap that would allow the soccer team to progress to the next stage of developing a waterfront stadium adjacent to Gastown.

Pat McLaughlin, the port's director of planning and development says whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot's development intentions will interrupt the function of the port.

The port has also calculated fair market value for the land, which they estimate at 30 to 35-million dollars. The Whitecaps are offering one dollar for the land.

There is no timeline for the completion of negotiations.

[djh]

OK, kiss goodbye to that project now.
$35m vs $1?
:haha:

Mod: There are two threads about this same subject:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=3506166&posted=1#post3506166

[twoNeurons]

I'll unban TG3 in a few days, though his locked door timer has been tentatively set to the open the day after the 2010 Closing Ceremonies. But if you start a topic on this, i'll throw the key into the ocean for good. -_-


Lol. Not to worry... I just miss the interesting dialogue. It's good to have opposing views as long as they don't devolve into abusive speech.


I don't remember what you're referring to, but I wouldn't be surprised.....in my defense, I was young - probably like 12 or 13 years old.


Yeah, I think most forumers at the time knew that... and so read things with that in mind. As I recall, most forumers didn't really do much to take sides, but it was a very interesting head-to-head for a while.


But yea, TG3 has mainly been temporary banned because the pm's some members sent me a few months.


Well, that makes a lot more sense.

[mr.x]

The Port of Vancouver is not in the stadium building business.
Vancouver/CKNW(AM980)

4/25/2008

That was the message from pat McLaughlin from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority when details of the Whitecaps-stadium impasse were spilled to CKNW on Wednesday.

The port is holding the public interest as hostage in this, by valuing their land at 30-35 million dollars, and in public view, placing no value on the 3-to-1 land swap being offered by Greg Kerfoot, the owner of the team.

The 30,000 square meters that the caps are offering are very close to, or match, the value of the 10,000 square metres the port is offering up.

So what's the hold up for over a year and a half?

The port is working in their self-interest. Hard to blame them. They are not managed by a federal government minister; they are an agency which has a firewall built around their operations to shutout political influence or interference.

But that is still no excuse for the absence of a voice from the BC conservative member’s federal government who haven't done jack.

Provincially, why does Stan Hagen offer sympathy, but says his hands are tied. Yesterday, he did what we've become too accustomed to in Canada: the jurisdictional shuffle...blaming it on the feds.

How about actually doing something. Pass a memo to his boss, Gordon Campbell. Get him on the horn to Ottawa and get someone to snap to attention.

This mind numbing process started in 2003 and is stymied by bureaucrats in an untouchable agency -IMHO- extorting money from a philanthropist who is contributing to the public good.

Kerfoot's problem in all of this is that he's played by the rules. He submitted his vision to process. Most in his position would do an end-around on the port after a year and half, but kerfoot has been driving the road of good intentions... And he's seeing the destination.

So if Greg Kerfoot and the whitecaps won't ask, I will: is there not one elected or appointed representative who will get up on his or her hind legs and bark in the interest of Vancouver?

That may be the only way to break the impasse to create a valuable public asset at no cost to the taxpayer that will change the sporting landscape of BC forever.

Whitecaps and Minnesota tomorrow night at Swangard. Caps Alfredo Valente says they need a more explosive start than in their home opener versus Seattle.

Valente says they are still adjusting to their new coach, Teitur Thordorson

[Rusty Gull]

Driving home today and listening to CKNW, Bruce Allen in his "Reality Check" absolutely tore into City Hall and Sam Sullivan for what he says is their blame in allowing the Whitecaps stadium project to go sideways.

I realize that Allen has a flair for stirring up controversy, but I also know he's well connected in Vancouver. Does he know something we don't about City Hall's lack of support for the waterfront project?

Surely the Port Authority can't take all the heat for our lack of an MLS-ready facility?

Those interested can probably download the segment at CKNW's audio archive:

http://www.cknw.com/Blogs/RealityCheck/home.aspx

[WarrenC12]

Allen has become more of a soundbite than anything.

This is definitely a federal issue. Here's a better question.. didn't we just have a federal election? Why didn't anybody make this a bigger local issue? Harper was in town the night before, the "media" should have asked him straight up.

[LeftCoaster]

Bruce Allan definetly doesn't know something we dont about this project.

In fact Bruce Allan doesnt know half the things we do know about this project.

[sconadian]

They should knock down Swanguard and build a new stadium there. Or build the new stadium somewhere other than downtown Vancouver. Why does it HAVE to be on the water front down town. Especially with all these problems arising from the issue. Just build it somewhere else.

[Rusty Gull]

^ Because the waterfront site could be home to something iconic -- something that is truly stadium spectacular. Swangard is functional, but it won't inspire.

And it doesn't have the same proximity to public transit, to hotels, to restaurants and to parking that the waterfront site does.

Mind you, you might be onto something. The prospective MLS bid by Francesco Aquilini, which has since fizzled, apparently involved an upgrade to the Swangard facility.

[sconadian]

^ Because the waterfront site could be home to something iconic -- something that is truly stadium spectacular. Swangard is functional, but it won't inspire.

And it doesn't have the same proximity to public transit, to hotels, to restaurants and to parking that the waterfront site does.

Mind you, you might be onto something. The prospective MLS bid by Francesco Aquilini, which has since fizzled, apparently involved an upgrade to the Swangard facility.

I definitely agree it would be a great location to have it on the water front. Very iconic location indeed. But in lou of all these problems and complications arrising from trying to build it there, I think its time to just cut our losses and decide on a new location. I mean who knows, it may never get the go ahead to be built there and thats not fair to the fans.

[Overground]

I agree, time to cut losses and concentrate on another site or we'll never get an MLS franchise. What about building one around the Bridgeport Stn area? It would be close to the casino complex and still has a rail connection.

[Vancity]

I agree, time to cut losses and concentrate on another site or we'll never get an MLS franchise. What about building one around the Bridgeport Stn area? It would be close to the casino complex and still has a rail connection.

This isn't a bad idea ;) I live in Richmond, and it would be great to have a sports facility in another area not in Vancouver. Bring a lot more life to the city too :)

Does anyone have any more information about the Whitecaps stadium? Anything getting resolved?

[jlousa]

Although you wont hear anything until after the MLS desicion is released for obvious reasons, the rumour in the industry has it that the proposal is dead.

[Metro-One]

I vote for Richmond then, that is a great location for a soccer stadium

It will be on a rapid transit line.

That entire area of Richmond is becoming an entertainment area, so a stadium would fit in perfect (maybe new Night Market grounds could be part of such a project)

The weather in Richmond is milder and much drier than most areas in Metro-Vancouver, perfect for an open soccer stadium.

Very close to the airport with ample hotels, good for visiting teams.

[Vancity]

Although you wont hear anything until after the MLS desicion is released for obvious reasons, the rumour in the industry has it that the proposal is dead.

thanks jlousa. That's too bad. I was looking forward to another stadium in Vancouver. We really don't have a lot of stadiums in our city, if we could only get our sports facilities up to date - maybe we'll be able to find some teams who'd be willing to relocate to Vancouver. Wouldn't it be great if Vancouver had a few more major league sports franchise, besides the NHL? We could potentially have the MLS, the NLL, and perhaps ONE DAY (when Stern retires), maybe the NBA comes back too.

We'd be a major league sports city. The only other city that is a major league sports city is Toronto (in Canada). They have MLS, NHL, NLL, MLB, CFL (even though they aren't a major league sports league - well, they are in Canada, haha). Arrrggghhh...so frustrating.

I wonder if this will put a damper on the Whitecaps' proposal for an MLS franchise :( Because I know that BC Place wasn't a long term solution, but if the proposal for the Whitecaps stadium is dead (at its proposed location), then maybe Vancouver doesn't get an MLS franchise. What a blow to the city this will be. wow.

Thoughts?

[Metro-One]

Again Richmond! (Reasons i stated above)

[Vancity]

Again Richmond! (Reasons i stated above)

Why wouldn't the Whitecaps move their strategy, and build their stadium in Richmond, then? Richmond is close enough to Vancouver (unlike Surrey), there will be a new rapid transit line (convenience), and if suggested by another poster, to build near the Bridgeport area - it would be close enough for fans to make their way down to RiverRock and hang out there, grab dinner, go to a game, and then make their way home. A win-win situation, I say.

[Distill3d]

New Soccer Stadium?
Vancouver/CKNW(AM980)

6/11/2009

Remember those plans for an outdoor soccer stadium on Vancouver's waterfront?
They're making a comeback under a revamped development blueprint approved by the city's Mayor and council.

The new central waterfront hub framework re-configures an area bordered by Canada Place, the CP Rail yards and Cordova Street.

In addition to a 15-to-30 thousand seat stadium, plans include an extension of Granville Street to Burrard Inlet and the creation of a large transportation interchange.

The stadium can only be built if the owners of the Vancouver Whitecaps swap a chunk of land with the port authority.

Concerns have also been raised about the proximity of 'dangerous goods' being moved through the rail yard.

The Whitecaps are currently playing at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium, but they need bigger digs to play major league soccer.

They'll temporarily move into BC Place for the start of their 2011 season and plan to call that stadium home for at least five years.

source (http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx/Story.aspx?ID=1102303)

[mr.x]

^ me thinks they're overreacting to the Waterfront Station hub redevelopment plan.

[Vancity]

I thought this project was dead, because the Port couldn't come to terms?

It'd be great to have another stadium for the city =) Especially a soccer specific stadium. Also wondering about the progress of BC Place - any progress on the interior? Is it any better than before?