'Caps Pursue Lease in BC Place

May 16, 2008

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced their intention to pursue a lease agreement in a renovated BC Place Stadium, which is scheduled to open in early 2011.

The move would afford the Whitecaps the opportunity to continue to host major soccer matches and also enter the race for one of the last Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises, whilst continuing to pursue the construction of the proposed soccer-specific Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium on downtown Vancouver’s central waterfront and rail lands.

The Whitecaps have been pursuing plans to build a 15,000 - 20,000-seat waterfront stadium in downtown Vancouver since 2003. In December 2007, the club released a four-year strategic plan, Vision 2011, which identified several opportunities contingent upon the completion of the proposed stadium, or the availability of another suitable facility.

“The decision to pursue a lease in a refurbished BC Place is a necessary adjustment to course,” said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. “It is a result of the long negotiation and approval timeline for our proposed waterfront stadium, combined with the shortening window of opportunity to secure an MLS expansion franchise.”

Recently, the Whitecaps have successfully hosted two international friendly matches against the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS. In November 2007, the Whitecaps played to a scoreless draw at BC Place in front of 48,172 fans and last Tuesday, May 13, a crowd of 37,104 witnessed the Whitecaps defeat the Galaxy 2-1 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.

“We are very excited about the renovation plans for BC Place, and believe that they will go a long way towards creating a more intimate environment that lends itself to soccer.” said Lenarduzzi. “The Whitecaps have a history of great events in BC Place, and we look forward to the opportunity to host more major matches at the improved facility.”

“When BC Place approached us with the opportunity for a lease, we saw it as a positive development that would enable us to keep moving forward with Vision 2011, and ensure that Vancouver does not miss out on the potential for a Major League Soccer franchise, and other major soccer events,” said Whitecaps chief operating officer Rachel Lewis. “We still remain very committed to building our proposed 15,000 - 20,000-seat waterfront stadium.”

Vancouver Whitecaps FC is celebrating its 22nd consecutive season of soccer; the Whitecaps are the longest running professional soccer club in US and Canadian history. The club includes a senior men’s team in United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division, a senior women’s team in the USL W-League, a full-time men’s residency team in the USL Premier Development League and a number of elite youth teams and affiliates. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com.

For more information on the renovated BC Place Stadium please visit
www.bcplacestadium.com

CANADIAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION

“The CSA continues to work to secure major CONCACAF and FIFA competitions. Given the success of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 tournament in greater Vancouver last summer we would like to potentially see that region play a major role in these future events. We are excited about the renovations planned for BC Place and feel it will be a great world-class venue to complement these world-class events.” Peter Montopoli, General Secretary, Canadian Soccer Association

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

“We believe Vancouver is a potential market for a future Major League Soccer expansion team. There is no doubt the market for professional soccer exists in Vancouver, as we saw last November when nearly 50,000 fans attended the exhibition match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Whitecaps.

“We understand the newly renovated BC Place Stadium will be a world-class facility. We look forward to learning more about the proposed renovations so that we may determine whether BC Place can serve as an interim venue for an MLS team pending the construction of a soccer-specific stadium.

“MLS will have 16 teams by 2010 with the addition of Seattle next year and Philadelphia the following season. We are currently in discussions with potential expansion team owners and local governments in many markets across North America regarding the 17th and 18th teams.

“We look forward to continuing our discussions with the Whitecaps regarding the opportunity to award a Major League Soccer expansion team to Vancouver in the future."

Don Garber, Commissioner, Major League Soccer

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