Let's get the Whitecaps Stadium done!

[Hong Kongese]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

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?


Mod: There are two threads about this same subject:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...=1#post3506166

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

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

[mr.x]

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