Rumors of the new stadium in Vancouver are breaking. The site is besides the Sea Bus Terminal in downtown vancouver. Here is a map of the area. This is a very prime location was both the existing Skytrain line, and the new RAV line will terminate at waterfront station only about 100m away. The rumor is that the stadium will be open for bid soon and will be for 30,000 people. Other than that all that is known is that kerfoot has purchased the land. here are some pictures: [/quote] here is some links from that Vancouver southsiders boards: Is Thsi the Stadium Site??? stadium info
Awesome news. Absolutely awesome news. Hopefully it will be SSS but if the BC Lions play there, heh who cares, its still a new stadium. The only thing that would be better is if BC could get some federal money pried out of Quebec's greedy hands to build it. Not likely mind you but overall awesome news.
Kerfoot is going to build the stadium all with his own money, so no worries about getting public money. And this guy is a soccer fanatic, so if BC wants to play here, they'll be secondary tenants.
This is terrific news. A stadium right on the shoreline sounds beautiful. Much more progress then Toronto. It's there last week and everyone is expecting a announcement. Anyways, this is awesome news.
Why mention Toronto? This is great new for soccer in Canada, but you have to bring in a slight. Inferiority complex or what.
Its not a competition. A new stadium for soccer in Canada is great news no matter where it is... Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg, or Whitehorse. It doesn't matter. Congrats to Vancouver!
Wow! Hey, I'm not bashing Toronto. I'm just saying this is more progress that happen in a few days in Vancouver then what has taken a month for Toronto. They are going to make a statment this week, arn't they? I was born in Toronto and I don't live that far from Toronto. I'm not going to be apart of the West-East flamefest. So, I'm sorry.
Vancouver Stadium News Tks to Johnnie Monster https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225693 Yet another update from SNN - the Southside News Network. Intrepid reporter Whymark79 overheard Bobbo telling the radio reporters (presumably off the record) that Vancouver's stadium should be announced within a month or so. By all accounts, Bobbo was more excited than a kid at Christmas when he talked about seeing those building plans (no details leaked though). It will be 15,000 seats to start, expandable to 30,000 as time progresses. BC Lions want NO INVOLVEMENT whatsoever... so that means it's an SSS fo' shizzle. Unfortunately, it will NOT be ready for 2007 (no surprise there). That means we're going to be looking at a temporarily expanded Swangard, or maybe BC Place? Boo-urns.
The Whitecaps will be announcing the plans for their new stadium Thursday morning. With MLS and Toronto's stadium coming together this looks like a big month for Canadian soccer. Stay tuned
Oct 13, 2005 WHITECAPS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR WATERFRONT STADIUM http://www.whitecapsnewstadium.com/media_kit_detail.cfm?newsid=8 VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver's stunning downtown waterfront will be the site of Vancouver's next great landmark - a new 15,000-seat outdoor sports stadium capable of hosting major international sporting and cultural events. The vision for Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, which will showcase sustainable building practices along with the best in British Columbia design, construction and materials, was announced today by Whitecaps President John Rocha and Whitecaps Director of Soccer Operations Bob Lenarduzzi. The stadium's Gastown waterfront location will be within walking distance of 30,000 parking stalls, 8,000 hotel rooms and 80,000 downtown Vancouver residents and workers. It will also be the most transit friendly stadium in North America with direct access from the SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express and the new RAV line and in close proximity to Habour Lynx, HeliJet, float planes and numerous bus routes. Built above the existing railway tracks, it will feature spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains and Burrard Inlet. "Our dream of a new outdoor stadium in the heart of scenic Vancouver is finally becoming a reality," said Lenarduzzi. "This new stadium will provide Vancouver with the opportunity to enjoy world class soccer along with numerous other events." First and foremost, Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium will be a soccer specific stadium offering fans a close-up experience of the beautiful game played on real grass. The stadium will host more than 30 Whitecaps Men's and Women's games, Canadian National Team games, and international soccer tournaments and exhibition matches featuring top level club teams from countries representing Vancouver's various ethnic communities. In addition to soccer, the facility will host 60-80 event dates annually comprised of outdoor concerts, symphony performances, and a wide range of sporting events including international rugby, tennis, and beach volleyball. The stadium will also provide a home for many ethnic and community festivals, corporate events, and will complement the City's growing trade and convention business. "Today is a great day for soccer fans and Vancouverites alike," said Rocha. "Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium will broaden Vancouver's appeal to world class soccer, concerts and events, and strengthen our partnerships with the British Columbia Soccer Association and the Canadian Soccer Association. By incorporating sustainable, environmentally friendly building methods and management systems it will promote the best in BC building and design." For more information about Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium visit whitecapsnewstadium.com. People who register their support on the site will receive priority rights to all first year events, and the opportunity to attend a special open house prior to the general public grand opening. Individuals registering before November 24 will have the opportunity to win one of four dream prizes: a trip for two to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, a trip for two to the International Rugby Board Rugby Sevens in Los Angeles, a trip for two to a Coldplay concert and a trip for two to a concert at the Tanglewood Music Festival.
Toronto is the sports mecca in Canada and thats all that matters. Vancouver and Montreal are small fish compared to Toronto. Vancouver so called lacrosee hot bed......lost the Ravens of the NLL vancouver also lost the Grizzlies of the NBA Montreal lost the Express of the NLL and the EXPOS of MLB...... advantage Toronto.
They'll approve it. When I lived in Victoria the Commonwealth games were announced to grandiose plans of a floating stadium in the inner harbour. After the beancounters ran the numbers that was quickly squashed and the provincial government railroaded changes to the stadium at UVIC. The university was at first dead set against it because it was mainly temporary seating and didn't have any real capital improvements. Vancouver might be on the left coast but anytime someone wants to build that stadium on an unused part of land and some politician can say the skytrain we've sank millions into will link to this perfectly will get built.
It will get built. But it will be over two years before they break ground. It has to go thru City for approval, 2 years for this alone. In the mean time they will be pumping the different levels of Govt for money to build it. Contrary to the he will build it with his own money talk going around this site.
haha...true...must be a hockey player... neway...i'm excited about this...too bad i'm moving and wont be here long...shoot.......
One of the most beautiful stadiums i've ever seen from every espect; design, location, view, atmosphere.
Wow, great location and a good design concept. Only 15k in seats though? I would have though 20k min.
Time for a New Vancouver Ballpark? Just thought I would post this year old article I found after reading of the BC Lions being for sale and putting two and two together and coming up with five. I don't believe Greg Kerfoot has any interest in football but what if he does? He could get the Lions for $15 million and have his own little sports empire (like MLSE) in his own building. That would entail a larger design of at least 30,000 seats but that was within the original design possibilities of the stadium anyway. Time for a New Vancouver Ballpark? BC Place and Nat Bailey are aging, the Whitecaps are surging. In short, a stadium full of opportunities. By Brian Schecter Published: April 13, 2005 http://thetyee.ca/News/2005/04/13/NewVancouverBallpark/ Pop the bubble? What happens to Vancouver’s gigantic downtown mushroom after the Olympics? The fate of BC Place Stadium is still anyone’s guess. The one with the final say, the provincial government, has gone into hibernation on the issue pending this spring’s election. But the region’s population growth, pricey land values and the coming Olympics are sharpening the imaginations of politicians and planners. They’re not only asking what to do with the Dome. Some would like to see a major stadium built in the Lower Mainland, a classy new home for professional soccer and maybe other teams. But with that vision come new questions. If you build a stadium, will they come? And who will pay for it? Around town a lot of discussions, so far private and out of sight, centre on those questions. Beating the drum loudly, however, is NPA Park Board Commissioner Suzanne Anton, elected to the Vancouver Park Board two and a half years ago. Anton’s preliminary investigations included looking at the edges of the Downtown East Side, most specifically on land located on the fringes of Chinatown, adjacent to the old CN Train Station. The area is ripe for development and would fit into the city’s long-term master plan to revitalize the downtown core. Building a new stadium there, however, appears far down the list of civic priorities. A factor is that Anton lacks political juice in her new role on the Park Board, which prefers to focus on developing green spaces and community-based facilities. What about Nat Bailey? One big facility commanding the Park Board attention is the curling venue for the 2010 Games. It’s slated to be located at Vancouver’s Riley and Hillcrest Parks, next to Nat Bailey Stadium, home of the Northwest League Vancouver Canadians. As part of the legacy program associated with Vancouver 2010, the Park Board will inherit the new $28 million curling facility along with a new community centre, library, swimming pool and skating rink, plus assorted other local area park improvements and amenities. Will any of that glitter rub off on old Nat? Not much, it seems. The Park Board is landlord to the old ball park, built in the early 50’s within the boundaries of Queen Elizabeth Park. Today, the team that plays there, the single-A level Vancouver Canadians, occupies a low rung in minor league baseball. Vancouver used to have a triple-A team, but they outgrew Nat Bailey and departed for Sacramento in 1999. The current thinking by the Park Board centers on keeping the baseball facility as is and upgrading the infrastructure of the 55 year old stadium as funds and time allow. That’s fine with owners of the Canadians. As the territorial rights holder to minor league baseball, and assuming the C’s are content to remain a part of the single-A short season Northwest League, Nat Bailey is more than adequate. Rising Whitecaps Across town, the A-League Vancouver Whitecaps are making waves about building a new, downtown, soccer-centric facility. While ‘Caps owner Greg Kerfoot’s plans to build a privately financed new stadium to house both the men’s and women’s pro teams have been percolating for over a year now, Vancouver’s bid to grab a piece of the 2007 World Under 20 FIFA Championships has given those rumours some sense of urgency. The Whitecaps have identified a number of potential sites, including a chunk of waterfront land. City planners are said to be open to the concept, but their interest is dependent upon approval from the land’s owners, Port Vancouver, who want to reserve the land for future expanded port-related business. The Whitecaps alternate plans could include reviving Park Board Commissioner Anton’s ideas for an outdoor stadium somewhere in the False Creek flats area. The Whitecaps currently play at Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium (capacity 5,722). While temporary seating could add another 1,100 seats, those numbers are about half of what the team envisions for a new stadium home. Even then, at 15,000 seats, the numbers do not work for Vancouver’s CFL Lions, who would need a minimum 35,000 seat stadium and the ability to expand to over 50,000 for Grey Cup host city needs. Lions waiting to huddle Which brings us back to BC Place Stadium. While the Lions are content to extend their current lease through 2010, they are no doubt looking forward to huddling after the election with the provincial government over the question of their long term lodging. Opened with fanfare worthy of a royal tour, Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium aged quicker than the Queen herself. Hailed as state of the art in 1983, the big dome was supposed to help put Vancouver on the big league map. In fact, built for an affordable $126 million, the stadium quickly attracted a wide array of sports, entertainment and trade show events. The CFL’s Lions were quick off the mark – routinely packing their new football home, regularly drawing near standing-room-only crowds. BC Place would go on to host concerts, Papal tours, Expo 86, trade shows and sporting events. Things, however, have changed. Operating in the black until the late 90s, the stadium has run deficits of around $2 million a year for the last eight years. When the Liberals took over in Victoria in 2001, BC Place Stadium and its parent corporation BC Pavilion Corp. (PAVCO) came under the critical eye of the new provincial government. The Liberals pared back PAVCO operations and the future of BC Place Stadium was put on hold, pending the outcome of Vancouver’s bid to host the 2010 Winter Games. Which is why few were cheering louder for Vancouver to win Olympic hosting honours than Stadium general manager Howard Crosley. His venue will host the opening and closing ceremonies. Given that minimum five-year stay of execution, BC Place officials recently met with Vancouver planners as part of the city’s North East False Creek Official Development Plan. One idea discussed centered around building a mixed conference center, office and retail facility on the Smythe and Pacific corner. Fresh turf The biggest concern right now is what to do with the stadium in the short term. Options will increase when Crosley replaces the Stadium’s worn out Astroturf carpet with FieldTurf he secured from Montreal’s Olympic Stadium – an affordable $1.5 million option that fell into his lap when the Expos left Montreal for Washington D.C. In addition to saving about $750,000, buying the used FieldTurf surface potentially opens up new sports event opportunities for the stadium. According to Crosley, even adding four new major sports events per year would allow the Stadium to wipe out annual deficits. For example, FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, has recently given its blessing to the synthetic surface, paving the way for FieldTurf venues to host major international matches and tournaments. With Canada already selected as the host country for the 2007 Youth (Boys U-20) Championships, BC Place Stadium officials would love nothing better than to showcase their new carpet at that time. Similarly, the International Rugby Board’s ruling has okayed FieldTurf as a legitimate playing surface. Although many at BC Place would dearly love to revive the annual pre-season baseball games, scheduling conflicts with existing trade and consumer shows make that unlikely. Adding sports-related dates to the BC Place Stadium calendar opens up the potential to grow other venue-based revenue streams. Increased events would translate into more exposure and in turn would be an enticement to lure new sponsors to the table. Dome officials are currently exploring building naming rights options – a title sponsorship opportunity that could bring in up to $750,000 a year in new revenues. It’s all in play So where will denizens of the Lower Mainland find themselves munching popcorn, drinking beer, and cheering themselves hoarse a decade down the road, if not sooner? To date, the various stakeholders have not forged any real common bond, opting instead to act independently from one another, to further their own respective self-interests. The Park Board is focused on post Olympic 2010 world and dealing with the legacies from the Games. The Friends of Nat Bailey Stadium lobby group, is expending its energies ensuring the survival of pro baseball in Vancouver. The Whitecaps are trying to move forward with their stadium plans – hoping other interested parties like the Lions, will join their cause - sooner rather than later. As for Anton, she is ramping up for a run at City Council this fall, with an eye towards raising the profile of the stadium debate onto the civic stage. Whether that campaign is enough to jump-start the issue, remains to be seen. BC Place by the Numbers * Construction Cost: $126 mil. * Official Opening: June 19, 1983. * Materials: five million kilos of reinforce steel, 60,000 cubic metres of concrete – length of a sidewalk from Vancouver to Seattle. * Size: Spans 10 acres of downtown land, capacity up to 60,000, including 8 hospitality rooms and 35 Pacific Rim Suites. * Number of User Days: 200 per year * Hosted Events: Tours, Conferences, Concerts, Expo 86, Six Grey Cups, trade & consumer shows and community events. * Net Economic Benefits: estimated $31 million in fiscal 2004, $3.5 million tax to Province Treasury * Total Attendance: 20.6 million. (March 2004) Brian Schecter is a writer, producer, and consultant with a focus on media and marketing, and an occasional contributor to The Tyee. He lives in Vancouver.