32 Best Cities...

[pmannion]

Originally posted by Daniel from Montréal


That capacity is shrouded in mystery as no one's ever seen a decent pic of it on the web (just one closeup with like 5 rows of people).

There are 2000 perminant seats behind one goal. On big match days, large bleachers are put around the other 3 sides of the stadium. This brings it up to about 5000. But they crammed just under 7500 (official attendance) in for the Manitioba match.

It's not much to look at, but they can fit the people in okay. I do admit, however, that 7500 was pushing the limits a bit. Alot of people were standing... 5-6000 would be safe enough.

[Daniel from Montréal]

Could you get a good pic of it?

[pmannion]

Originally posted by Daniel from Montréal
Could you get a good pic of it?

Perhaps... I have a friend who has a digital camera, and mabye he could take a pic of it for me. It's not much to look at, though (without the match-day seats). It looks alot like the Winnipeg soccer complex, where the Canadian team has played a few recent matches, or the field where Canada plays Rugby games.

[Daniel from Montréal]

That would be muy excellente!

[DoyleG]

A Criteria for D! cities would one's that have a population of at least 250,000 plus a stadium than can sit at least 3,000.

[Jarrek]

1. Victoria
2. Vancouver
3. Edmonton
4. Calgary
5. Saskatoon
6. Winnipeg
7. Toronto
8. Hamilton
9. London
10. Ottawa
11. Montreal
12. Quebec City
13. Halifax
14. St. John's

[Jarrek]

Originally posted by Krammerhead
They have a beautiful 3500 seat stadium (it can expand to seat over 5000). [/B]

It actually only seats 1800 ...

[Krammerhead]

Oh yeah, I forgot, as per Canadian tradition after stadiums are used for their original purpose, they remove seats. Well if they're really skinny it could seat 3500!

Anyway given the popularity of Canadian soccer 1800 seats is more than enough, not to mention with standing room they could fit in more than 5000.

[Twinkies at war]

Maybe an "MLS-lite" approach is the best option to kick-start a pro soccer league here in Canada. Basically put teams in all of the CFL cities and have them share the stadia with the CFL teams.

[Krammerhead]

Originally posted by Twinkies at war
Maybe an "MLS-lite" approach is the best option to kick-start a pro soccer league here in Canada. Basically put teams in all of the CFL cities and have them share the stadia with the CFL teams.

Only one CFL team plays on real grass. You can't have a proper league playing on astroturf.

Plus any new Canadian league wouldn't need stadia as big as CFL stadia.

[DoyleG]

Originally posted by Krammerhead


Only one CFL team plays on real grass. You can't have a proper league playing on astroturf.

Plus any new Canadian league wouldn't need stadia as big as CFL stadia.

On the Voyageurs site, you suggested than an Edmonton team should play out of Commonwealth.

[Krammerhead]

Originally posted by DoyleG


On the Voyageurs site, you suggested than an Edmonton team should play out of Commonwealth.

Yes I did, as an exception to the rule. Theres no problem with one team playing out of a huge stadium since it's grass and there is no other decent stadium available. However there are other acceptable stadia in the other CFL cities that the person suggested we have as soccer cities.

Vancouver-Swangard 7100
Calgary-Foothills 3500
Saskatchewan-Gordie Howe Bowl 3954
Winnipeg-Soccer Complex 5000+
Montreal-Claude Robillard 8000 or so
Hamilton-Brian Timmis 5000
Ottawa-Frank Clair 26000+ (CFL stadium)
Toronto-Centennial 3500+

[DoyleG]

We should gauge how good some of these cities are by looking at how they support their other sports teams.

-CFL
-Hockey (NHL, Minor League, Junior)
-Baseball (MLB and Minor League clubs)

[Canadian_Supporter]

Ottawa (estimates)

Ottawa Renegades: not sure, but probably over 22,000 a game

Ottawa 67's: usually get over 7500 a game at the
civic center

Ottawa Lynx: probably draw under 3000 now... the team is as good as gone...

Ottawa Senators: around 16000 (if that) average... tickets are too expensive.

Ottawa Rebel (NLL): no idea, but probably 3000 a game... just moved to the Civic center for this year, should get a better crowd

Ottawa Wizards: about 600 a game...

Ottawa Fury: I heard they get around 300-500 a game...

Hull Olympique: Over 2000 a game... not Ottawa, but close enough...

[Canadian_Supporter]

Originally posted by Krammerhead

Saskatchewan-Gordie Howe Bowl 3954


Is the Gordie Howe Bowl in Regina? Is it a University stadium?

[Gordon]

Gordie Howe Bowl is in Saskatoon and is Operatored by the City of Saskatoon Parks and Rec. Giffiths is the University Stadium in Saskatoon. Junior Football giants, the Saskatoon Hilltops are the major tennant in Gordie Howe bowl, which can be configured to fit a FIFA size soccer field. Indeed, it was the planned venue for the Canada-China women's games that were canceled last year as a result of the Sept 11 attacks and is the propsed site of the soccer competition in Saskatoon's World University Games bid. Seating is attrocious, but is,in the words of a Park's and Rec Supervisor, the cheapest lowest maintenance option available. Hopefully the World University games will be awrded to Saskatoon and the seating expanded and upgraded.

[DoyleG]

Edmonton Sports Attendance Figures

Oilers (NHL)- Approx. 16000/game
Either they succeed or they are toast.

Trapper (PCL Baseball)- 5,360
Don't knwo how mcuh longer they will be around.

Eskimos (CFL)- 38,161
Kings of the city.