OT: 2024 Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps Thread

[Just A Bit Outside]

Just heard Squire Barnes on Global News that The Whitecaps and the City of Vancouver are in talks for a new stadium to be built on the PNE grounds. Whitecaps' owners would fund the construction and own it, with some concession going to the City (parking?).

Hope this pans out.

Statement from Vancouver Whitecaps FC Ownership | Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC ownership provided the following response to the media reports regarding a potential stadium project. Statement from Vancouver Whitecaps FC Ownership: We can confirm that Whitecaps FC is currently in discussion with the City of Vancouver regarding the construction of a...

www.whitecapsfc.com

It was great at Empire before they moved to BC Place.

Likely want to recreate it on a permanent basis.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Statement from Vancouver Whitecaps FC Ownership | Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC ownership provided the following response to the media reports regarding a potential stadium project. Statement from Vancouver Whitecaps FC Ownership: We can confirm that Whitecaps FC is currently in discussion with the City of Vancouver regarding the construction of a...

www.whitecapsfc.com

It was great at Empire before they moved to BC Place.

Likely want to recreate it on a permanent basis.

The one hope is they invest in real grass or a hybrid turf. The surface at BC Place is total shit.

 

[VanJack]

Didn't the Whitecaps play at least one year at the temporary 'Empire Fields' when the roof at B.C. Place was being replaced?

Never saw a soccer game there, but did catch a couple of B.C. Lions games. It was actually amazingly well done for a temporary stadium--even if the washrooms and concessions were in trailers behind the stadium.

It that's the site of a new stadium, it could definitely work. Nothing like a natural grass field for pro sports!

 

[logan5]

A couple years back, the City of Burnaby was offering up the Swangard site to potentially build an MLS stadium. Burnaby would throw in the land plus up to 150 million dollars. Swangard is more centrally located in the city and it's close to Skytrain.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

A couple years back, the City of Burnaby was offering up the Swangard site to potentially build an MLS stadium. Burnaby would throw in the land plus up to 150 million dollars. Swangard is more centrally located in the city and it's close to Skytrain.

Women’s team is going to play at Swanguard.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Didn't the Whitecaps play at least one year at the temporary 'Empire Fields' when the roof at B.C. Place was being replaced?

Never saw a soccer game there, but did catch a couple of B.C. Lions games. It was actually amazingly well done for a temporary stadium--even if the washrooms and concessions were in trailers behind the stadium.

It that's the site of a new stadium, it could definitely work. Nothing like a natural grass field for pro sports!

They spent nearly 11 mil in 2015 building a new athletic park on the former Empire Field grounds which gets ridiculously heavy use. I imagine there will be opposition from the entire surrounding area if they elect to take that park away.

A couple years back, the City of Burnaby was offering up the Swangard site to potentially build an MLS stadium. Burnaby would throw in the land plus up to 150 million dollars. Swangard is more centrally located in the city and it's close to Skytrain.

Burnaby wants to upgrade Swanguard, but will only permit 10,000 seats at most. Far too small for an MLS franchise.

 

[Rejavanated]

Just heard Squire Barnes on Global News that The Whitecaps and the City of Vancouver are in talks for a new stadium to be built on the PNE grounds. Whitecaps' owners would fund the construction and own it, with some concession going to the City (parking?).

Hope this pans out.

I like the idea of the Whitecaps upgrading to a stadium with natural grass and a capacity of 25 to 30 thousand. But, I'd likely attend even fewer games. Downtown is very convenient for me to get to be public transit. The P.N.E isn't, even by car.

I'd still support the project though.

Makes me wonder what the future of BC Place stadium would be though.

 

[VanJack]

I like the idea of the Whitecaps upgrading to a stadium with natural grass and a capacity of 25 to 30 thousand. But, I'd likely attend even fewer games. Downtown is very convenient for me to get to be public transit. The P.N.E isn't, even by car.

I'd still support the project though.

Makes me wonder what the future of BC Place stadium would be though.

I don't think the operators of B.C. Place are relying on Whitecaps games to pay the bills. Over the years it's become almost more important for hosting trade shows, concerts, etc. And of course, it's going to be one of the World Cup venues.

But it's been said for year now--the Whitecaps need a venue like BMO Field in TO. Hopefully it comes to fruition.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

We are about to be first place with this win. Ridiculous hot start!

 

[VanJack]

We are about to be first place with this win. Ridiculous hot start!

Hands up any Caps fans who saw this coming? Normally when they've been forced to deal with injuries like they dealing with right now--their play would fall off a cliff.

But now five wins in seven MLS games, and only one outright defeat on the season. And I know next to nothing about the current coach Jesper Sorenson. He's as quiet and unassuming as Vanni was bombastic and excitable.

But clearly something has clicked. Now they just have to figure out the ownership situation.

 

[Burke's Evil Spirit]

Just heard Squire Barnes on Global News that The Whitecaps and the City of Vancouver are in talks for a new stadium to be built on the PNE grounds. Whitecaps' owners would fund the construction and own it, with some concession going to the City (parking?).

Hope this pans out.

Guessing finding a buyer for an MLS franchise without a stadium wasn't going great.

 

[Ernie]

Just heard Squire Barnes on Global News that The Whitecaps and the City of Vancouver are in talks for a new stadium to be built on the PNE grounds. Whitecaps' owners would fund the construction and own it, with some concession going to the City (parking?).

Hope this pans out.

There are plans to eventually have rapid transit to the North Shore, I wonder if they'll be able to integrate that into the plan.

I don't understand what a new stadium will do that BC Place doesn't already accomplish though.

 

[VanJack]

There are plans to eventually have rapid transit to the North Shore, I wonder if they'll be able to integrate that into the plan.

I don't understand what a new stadium will do that BC Place doesn't already accomplish though.

There's a Skytrain station at Brentwood....maybe B.C. Transit can be convinced to run extra busses from there to the PNE grounds?

I get the fact that the site of the PNE isn't very 'transit friendly', although people coming from downtown can get from the Waterfront Station to a Hastings Street bus and out to the PNE that way.

But I really think MLS soccer in a 20,000-25,000 stadium on natural grass, might even draw more people. There's still a lot of soccer fans who simply won't come to games because of the austere, hollow atmosphere of B.C. Place.

As I recall, didn't the Whitecaps draw pretty well in the old NASL when they played at venerable Empire Stadium on terrible artificial turf?

 

[MS]

There are plans to eventually have rapid transit to the North Shore, I wonder if they'll be able to integrate that into the plan.

I don't understand what a new stadium will do that BC Place doesn't already accomplish though.

Going inside to watch soccer (or baseball) during the summer absolutely sucks ass relative to being in a pleasant outdoor stadium. Especially when it's a venue as large and soulless as BC Place.

Whitecaps crowds will go through the roof if they have a proper soccer-specific outdoor venue.

Also the shitty artificial turf is a barrier to attracting players.

 

[logan5]

Yeah, the actual in game experience would be vastly better at Empire Fields, with the North Shore mountains so prominent, it would be a spectacular view. Obviously that area doesn't have the same amenities that downtown has, where there are bars and restaurant a short walk from BC Place, but Hastings Sunrise is a short bus ride away, and its a decent neighbourhood. Same with Burnaby Heights, but the immediate area is not pedestrian friendly at all. Usually stadium areas trigger high density development, so that would change fairly quickly.

As far as transpiration goes, Hastings is one of the corridors that Translink plans to implement BRT, which is quicker that a B Line because it has dedicated lanes and signal priority at intersections.

What I think is happening is that the owners are advertising to potential new owners that there is a good spot available to build a soccer specific stadium.

 

[VanJack]

As a long-time Lower Mainlander, it would tug at the heart-strings to see another stadium rise up at the site of old Empire......The wooden benches were hard with no seat-backs;, the artificial turf was as soft as concrete, and when the wind and rain swept in from the North Shore, it was downright freezing. But ah, those memories of so many Lions and Whitecaps games.

I attended a few Lions games at Empire Fields, their temporary home during the B.C. Place renos. And I have to say I was kind of stunned at how good a job they did building a temporary stadium on the cheap, with so many amenities and great sightlines.

I was actually sorry to see them dismantle it....although the Parks Board said so from the beginning. But sign me up for a new stadium at the PNE. I'm not much of a soccer fan, but I'd probably come out to a game or two just to relive the experience.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

What I think is happening is that the owners are advertising to potential new owners that there is a good spot available to build a soccer specific stadium.

This is exactly what's happening.

There is zero appeal to local stakeholders if there's no tangible assets to be had with the purchase of the VWFC franchise. BC Place is a liability for the current owners due to the insane number of restrictions as to what they can do within the stadium along with the congested scheduling. Leasing flat out sucks.

They are hoping to increase the valuation of the franchise with a potential land deal. If this goes through then great.

If this fails, and it could very well fail after the City of Vancouver does case studies and you get the entire neighborhood coming out to oppose this....then you present a compelling argument to the MLS bodies that relocation should be an option.

This should be a no brainer for the City of Vancouver. The PNE is a total dump these days and many buildings within are totally dilapidated. This could be the first step towards modernizing the entire park.

 

[M2Beezy]

Anyone got a link for the white caps game tonight? If ya could dm me id appreciate

 

[Rejavanated]

This is exactly what's happening.

There is zero appeal to local stakeholders if there's no tangible assets to be had with the purchase of the VWFC franchise. BC Place is a liability for the current owners due to the insane number of restrictions as to what they can do within the stadium along with the congested scheduling. Leasing flat out sucks.

They are hoping to increase the valuation of the franchise with a potential land deal. If this goes through then great.

If this fails, and it could very well fail after the City of Vancouver does case studies and you get the entire neighborhood coming out to oppose this....then you present a compelling argument to the MLS bodies that relocation should be an option.

This should be a no brainer for the City of Vancouver. The PNE is a total dump these days and many buildings within are totally dilapidated. This could be the first step towards modernizing the entire park.

The harsh reality is that a stadium on the PNE grounds would be emblematic of a century-old betrayal of the city to that neighbourhood.

 

[StreetHawk]

As a long-time Lower Mainlander, it would tug at the heart-strings to see another stadium rise up at the site of old Empire......The wooden benches were hard with no seat-backs;, the artificial turf was as soft as concrete, and when the wind and rain swept in from the North Shore, it was downright freezing. But ah, those memories of so many Lions and Whitecaps games.

I attended a few Lions games at Empire Fields, their temporary home during the B.C. Place renos. And I have to say I was kind of stunned at how good a job they did building a temporary stadium on the cheap, with so many amenities and great sightlines.

I was actually sorry to see them dismantle it....although the Parks Board said so from the beginning. But sign me up for a new stadium at the PNE. I'm not much of a soccer fan, but I'd probably come out to a game or two just to relive the experience.

Financing, Caps play 17 MLS games with other friendlies and such. Too bad that waterfront site never got the green light for that 25K stadium.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Miami won.

If the Caps win, Messi playing in Van 2.0.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Excitement lasted 4 min.

But at least we are now tied on aggregate.

 

[StreetHawk]

I don't think the operators of B.C. Place are relying on Whitecaps games to pay the bills. Over the years it's become almost more important for hosting trade shows, concerts, etc. And of course, it's going to be one of the World Cup venues.

But it's been said for year now--the Whitecaps need a venue like BMO Field in TO. Hopefully it comes to fruition.

Lions and Whitecaps only needed a max 30K stadium for regular season with potential to expand for bigger events. As much as keeping BC Place as is and reducing capacity was an Environmental choice, those teams didn't need the extra 15K seats.

With all of the years at BC place are the fans in Van going to sit in the rain for a game?

 

[just22]

Insane comeback to move on to the semis!

 

[Jyrki21]

THEY DID IT AGAIN!!

After Pumas scored very late to go up 3-2 on aggregate (and then proceeded to waste time), just when it looked to be over, Tristan Blackmon nicked one in stoppage time to win on away goals again!

One night after the Canucks come back last minute, the Caps do it with much higher stakes...

Now the Whitecaps face Miami in the semis... Messi may be coming to BC Place after all.

I would probably have preferred LAFC for soccer reasons, but those guys have beaten Vancouver so many times now that a change is probably good.