CITY OF VANCOUVER APPROVES WHITECAPS WATERFRONT STADIUM TO MOVE FORWARD

July 11, 2006

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Vancouver Whitecaps vision of a mid-size multi-purpose facility located on the waterfront north of Gastown received a unanimous endorsement from the City of Vancouver last Tuesday, July 11 at City Hall.

 “We are very happy with the decision,” said Bob Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps Director of Soccer Operations. “The Whitecaps are committed to this project and will work diligently with all stakeholders to insure that the issues are resolved in a timely fashion.”

“Throughout the process we had a number of people come forward and voice their support for the stadium.  Thank you to everyone who helped us reach this milestone.  A special mention to Bill Currie, founder of Friends of Soccer and John Kostiuk, founder of Stadium NOW!, for their tremendous efforts,” Lenarduzzi added.

The Whitecaps will now work with the City, CP Rail, Vancouver Port Authority, local residents and business to resolve the five key requirements - provision of adequate street network; resolution of risks and liability associated with dangerous goods in the rail lands; reconfiguration of the stadium structure to ensure a better ‘fit’ with Gastown; resolution of impacts on the livability of residential areas south of the rail lands; impacts on future Port Lands development – identified in the city staff report.

Starting in September the stadium development will be part of the Central Waterfront Hub and Rail Lands study. The hub portion of the study is expected to be complete within 12 month and will provide the platform and needed information to resolve the more technical key requirements such as road infrastructure and impact on future port lands development. Once the key requirements are met (September 2007) the stadium project will be separated from the hub study and the Whitecaps will enter the rezoning application process. If approved, the rezoning and development permit project is expected to take 12 months which would see the project break ground in late 2008. 

City council has requested staff report back to them in September with steps to make the project a priority.  As part of designating the project a priority City Council will receive quarterly updates on the project so they can monitor its progress relative to the timeline.

The proposed site is located adjacent to Vancouver’s transit hub and will be easily accessible from the new Canada Line, SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express, Helijet and numerous bus routes.

“In addition to the transit friendly location, the site has an ample supply of available parking, is close to Vancouver’s business core and tourism district, which includes the new convention centre, and maintains industrial use of the land while creating a public gathering place,” said Lenarduzzi. “All the advantages this site has, combined with the spectacular view truly make this the BEST location for Vancouver’s next great landmark”