Game Day/Ticket and Stadium Questions

http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/post_259.html

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/07/harrisburg_city_islanders_new.html

Updates on search for new stadium.

 

New stadium an absolute must to stay competitive in the USL. As these editorials note, and as I've long said, it doesn't need to be fancy but something better than dilapidated bleachers and portajohns. Would the team really leave City Island? They are called the City Islanders for crying out loud! The location is amazing, but the Skyline Sports Complex needs a major overhaul. As much as I'd hate to see fieldturf, it does make sense for optimizing usage, concerts, other events. Considering how competitive this franchise has been despite the small market size of Harrisburg, they deserve it. I know the city is bankrupt, but perhaps some corporate entities and the Union can help with financing. A nice soccer stadium in Harrisburg could host NCAA tournaments (think about a Keystone Cup with Penn State, Bucknell, schools from Philly and Pittsburgh), international friendlies, youth tournaments, etc. Hope it happens!

 

It's kinda hard to say what capacity is since so much of Skyline is general admission with standing room, lawn chair seating, etc. I think the biggest crowd there was a friendly against DC United with an estimated 4,000 although the team twice drew over 5,000 for friendlies against DC United and Crystal Palace (UK) in different venues. This year's average attendance was 1,456 or an increase of 4 from last season. The team has posted their three worst seasons in attendances the past three years, which baffles me because the City Islanders have had so much success developing guys for MLS and played good, attractive soccer. Maybe they've lost fans to the Union who often play at the same time? The best season average Harrisburg had was in 2009 when 1,857 attended games, unfortunately it's been in decline ever since. Maybe the new stadium will help?

 

One other note about last night's crowd: it was youth soccer night so the place was packed with kids in their City Islanders Academy jerseys. I wonder if the team survives by virtue of their youth setup and the pro team is sustained largely through those fees rather than attendance, merchandise, etc.?

 

Yeah, those attendance numbers mentioned by WGAL are just plain goofy. The team averaged 1,456 fans per game this season with the largest crowd of the season being just over 2,000. A 3,000-seat stadium seems about right to me, with additional seating areas at the party deck and along the grass berm, that is if they stay at Skyline. The only time the team drew 4,000 fans was for the previously mentioned high-profile exhibitions against Palace and DCU. The annual friendly with the Union doesn't even draw more than their season average, so I don't think the team should look for a 6,000-seat venue. It really wouldn't cost much to improve Skyline in phases. First things first, take down the rickety bleachers and build some real seating, keep it along the one sideline with a supporter section behind the goal opposite the party deck. Set these new seating areas further back to maximize pitch size (oh, and resod and remove the crown). Add real restrooms and lockerroms, keep a food court but with permanent facilities. Eventually upgrade the party deck and press box. You don't need to spend a crazy amount of money, the best part of City Island is the view and setting, retain that and upgrade. If attendance swells, make the design expandable. The most difficult part is not the idea or planning, it's finding the financing in a bankrupt city that also happens to be one of the smallest markets in USL-PRO.

 

Wow! And I thought Bishop McGuinness was sub-optimal. I hope it goes through and they get a better facility. Good luck Harrisburg

 

More stadium news.
Harrisburg City Islanders proceeding with plans for new stadium at north end of City Island
http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/03/city_islanders_new_stadium_pro.html

 

Love plans, don't understand the light stanchions obstructing views in the drawings. Those have to be addressed, you can't spend all that money and build suites, etc. only to have obstructed views. Hope I'm reading that wrong and these are just preliminary sketches that indicate how the stadium will be set further back than the current bleachers.

 

Hello from Baltimore. I have 8 Islanders general admission tickets, good for all home games, section 1 to 7 available. Looks like I will not be able to use them. If you can or know someone else who can use them, please send me a pm. I can scan them to show you I do have them. I would like to get a few bucks per ticket. Make me an offer. Payment via paypal would be fine. I can send you a paypal invoice.

Thanks, Baxter

 

Hello - I was looking for an information, is there parking at the stadium (or on the isle somewhere) or do people have to park somewhere else and then walk to the isle? I've never been to the stadium before and I may come this saturday (I don't live anywhere near Harrisburg)

 

NYRBII will apparently hit the road in order to save their playing surface at RBA:

http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2016/09/01/usl-new-york-red-bulls-ii-match-moved-millersville-pa