Sunday afternoons are by purpose, regardless of Foote Field or otherwise. Summer in W.Canada sees alot of people spending weekends out of town at lakes/cabins whatever. The FCE front office has tried to put a stamp on it's product and anchor games with a common time and HOPEFULLY a venue. According to some sources (such as the very reputable the11.ca), FCE choose the 2pm starts in consultation with another Edm pro summer team, the CFL Eskimos (throwing ball). The Eskies have many a weekend game on Fridays. Saturdays in general are not good draws, April-June due to NHL playoffs (Hockey Night in Canada) or such. Soccer Sunday is a long tradition in European leagues (Spain & Italy to name two). Of final consideration, once the NFL season begins, Sunday evenings are a competition for the walk-up fan.
Are summers mild regarding high temperatures in Edmonton? Down here it can get really hot for 3 pm games.
Edmonton's record high is 34.5°C (~94°F), but the average in the summer months is more like 22°C (~73°F). As far as I know, there's not much humidity.
Humid is not a word I'd use to describe the Canadian Prairies. In the winter, when it's -30C (-22F), it's cold, but it's a dry cold. In the summer, when it's +30C (86F), it's warm, but it's a dry heat.
IMS Soccer News & a source close to FCE head office have both reported that the NASL has given FCE a Feb 15 deadline to announce the stadium for the 2012 season.
I'm pretty sure they had that deadline for several months now. That said, 2 more days until doomsday. Two from what I read, Foote or Clark I think thats basically it.
Clarke is better than Foote, (in the short term). -the field will be wider, -less colourful, -better fan experience (closer to field), -still accessible via LRT (mass transit) line, -possible infrastructure benefits (i.e. multimedia, training facilities, locker rooms, concessions) with proximity to Commonwealth. Long term, they are still exploring options and a press conference is set for March according to The11.ca. Also, the article mentioned that the club satisfied NASL's requirements (as per the Feb 15 deadline). I'm just speculating here, but a SSS is still not out of the question. The three options (refered to by Kenntomasch) were Foote (2770 seats) Clarke (1300seats) and Commonwealth (60000 seats). Anyone else notice a gap? The city of Edmonton had identified this in the "Way ahead: Edmonton's Strategic Plan" (read the quote from this document posted by ChrisJ on Oct 31). When the 2015 Women's World Cup takes place, I would expect Edm to get a group, meaning 4 teams and and at least 6 matches. By my calculations, another stadium/training facility of medium size is absolutely necessary and would be the obvious legacy of the WWC.
The stadium announcement for this season has been delayed : http://the11.ca/2012/02/22/fc-edmonton-will-delay-stadium-announcement/ Seems like Telus Field may be an option and it looks like it could be a good stadium for soccer if configured right.
How many baseball stadiums have ever been good stadiums for soccer? And is that a turf infield and grass outfield? Oy.
If they can get Telus, it looks like a good spot. Looks like their wait paid off. And it looks like they were fed up with Foote, so any improvement will work for them for now.
Rochester got more fans and had better atmosphere playing at their baseball park before moving to their SSS.
For a lot of reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with the appropriateness of said baseball park for the game of soccer. That's a ludicrous argument. PGE was interesting before the revamp, but wasn't a great situation by any means. And they're renovating Juan Ramon Loubriel and it's going to be really good if and when they get it done. But, no, that's not an argument, either. Now, I don't know where TELUS is in town, but location may make it a better option. Because it's not like the others are great options, either. I'm just saying, the baseball stadium thing needs to not be acceptable going forward if we're going to get anywhere.
Portlands stadium worked out fine and Telus may as well as a temp location until a SSS is built in a few years or if they turn Telus field into an SSS like Portland did. Location wise Telus Field is within minutes of the downtown by walking(10 minutes) and has its own Lounge/Bar on the main level with big windows and outdoor seating giving a nice view to the field. Also lots of parking. Would be good if they tarp off uppermost seats though and limit seating to maybe 6000 instead of the 9000 to minimize the crowd being spread out thus creating a better atmosphere.
Portland, Kansas City, Puerto Rico and Rowdies. Both Portland and KS have SSS remodified from baseball, PR is the middle of re-construction and I hope the Rowdies do the same.
You're wrong about Kansas. They moved from a ballpark to a brand new stadium but otherwise you're point holds up.
Yes Telus Field could work... but I hope they sort it out quickly. Otherwise this stadium thing feels like an impending "facepalm".