Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium
Encyclopedia
The Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium is a proposed open-air soccer (football) facility in Vancouver
, British Columbia
that would be privately funded and developed by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The proposed location is north of Gastown on the central waterfront on what is currently a parking lot and the site of a helicopter landing pad. The proposed stadium would house the Vancouver Whitecaps FC men and women's clubs.
In addition to Vancouver Whitecaps FC matches, the stadium could be host to international soccer matches, rugby union
matches and tournaments, tennis and beach volleyball tournaments, and open-air musical events and concerts such as the Vancouver International Jazz Festival
and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
. The stadium would have close access to many modes of public transportation, including SkyTrain
, SeaBus
, West Coast Express
, and buses.
s Arthur Erickson
and Bing Thom
have also urged caution, saying that piecemeal development of some of Vancouver's last undeveloped waterfront should be avoided. They believe the stadium would deny waterfront access and would negatively affect the historical theme of the Gastown area. The architects have urged city hall to delay approval until a comprehensive plan has been submitted. Independent architecture firm Hotson Bakker, which was hired by the city of Vancouver, came to the conclusion that the current stadium plans are unworkable. They reported that the development does not fit with the Gastown district and doesn't take future residential developments into account. They also stressed the need for a comprehensive waterfront plan.
A group of local Gastown businesses and residents that support the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium are represented by Stadium NOW!. Thousands have also voiced their support for the project through the Friends of Soccer campaign.
Specific issues include the lack of roads for spectator and emergency access, and the stadium's location above railroad tracks. The project will be reviewed quarterly by city planners until the stadium's construction is approved; the developers have two years to accomplish this.
On January 22, 2007, the Whitecaps filed a new proposal shifting the proposed site for the stadium project to the current location of the SeaBus terminal, a short distance northwest of the previous site.
On February 1, 2007, Vancouver City Council unanimously endorsed a city staff report which identifies a process to potentially resolve the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium’s five key requirements set out by City Council. In addition, the staff report outlined a procedure to integrate the stadium with the Waterfront Hub Study.
In July 2007, the City of Vancouver noted that "The Whitecaps and the VPA are now considering an alternative siting which addresses the technical constraints facing the SeaBus terminal site. This would involve some of the VPA-owned land between the SeaBus terminal and Crab Park (see figure below) and would enable the SeaBus to remain in place. This area is anticipated for mixed use development by the Central Waterfront Port Lands Policy Statement (1994) and any proposal would need to be considered in that context." They further added "The Whitecaps and VPA are currently investigating whether this site could meet their needs and aspirations. If the Whitecaps and VPA decide to pursue the development of the stadium in this location, they will need to develop a proposal and submit it to City staff for evaluation and consultation with the public and interested parties."
Initial plans were targeting completion for Summer 2009, though this has been pushed back many times. On March 18, 2009 Major League Soccer
(MLS) announced an expansion franchise to the city to begin play in 2011. The team has stated intentions to play at least the first season, and possibly up to five seasons, at BC Place Stadium
.
In 2011 Bob Lenarduzzi
confirmed that the team is now committed to BC Place, and that plans for the waterfront stadium have been put on hold.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
that would be privately funded and developed by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The proposed location is north of Gastown on the central waterfront on what is currently a parking lot and the site of a helicopter landing pad. The proposed stadium would house the Vancouver Whitecaps FC men and women's clubs.
Proposal
The $70-million stadium would have an initial capacity of 20,000, which would be potentially expandable to 30,000 seats.In addition to Vancouver Whitecaps FC matches, the stadium could be host to international soccer matches, rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
matches and tournaments, tennis and beach volleyball tournaments, and open-air musical events and concerts such as the Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is an annual summer event in Vancouver, Canada.The festival grew out of a local jazz scene that centred around Vancouver Co-op Radio , a community radio station, in the early 1980s...
and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra performing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 240,000 people attend its live performances each year. It was founded in 1930 and plays in 12 venues. Its home is the Orpheum theatre. With an annual operating budget of $9.5 million, it is the...
. The stadium would have close access to many modes of public transportation, including SkyTrain
SkyTrain (Vancouver)
SkyTrain is a light rapid transit system in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. SkyTrain has of track and uses fully automated trains on grade-separated tracks, running mostly on elevated guideways, which helps SkyTrain to hold consistently high on-time reliability...
, SeaBus
SeaBus
The SeaBus is a passenger-only ferry service in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It crosses Burrard Inlet to connect the cities of Vancouver and North Vancouver. The SeaBus is owned and operated by the Coast Mountain Bus Company and is an important part of TransLink's integrated public...
, West Coast Express
West Coast Express
West Coast Express is the interregional commuter railway in British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, it links Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver, where it interchanges with SkyTrain rapid transit, SeaBus and...
, and buses.
Controversy
Although Vancouver public support for the stadium is high (a Mustel survey found that 71% of Vancouver residents supported the project), the proposal is inciting protests from several groups including the Gastown Neighbourhood Coalition. Well-known local architectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s Arthur Erickson
Arthur Erickson
Arthur Charles Erickson, was a Canadian architect and urban planner. He studied Asian languages at the University of British Columbia, and later earned a degree in architecture from McGill University.-Biography:...
and Bing Thom
Bing Thom
Bing Wing Thom, CM is a Canadian architect and urban designer.Born in Hong Kong, he immigrated to Vancouver, Canada with his family in 1950.-Career:...
have also urged caution, saying that piecemeal development of some of Vancouver's last undeveloped waterfront should be avoided. They believe the stadium would deny waterfront access and would negatively affect the historical theme of the Gastown area. The architects have urged city hall to delay approval until a comprehensive plan has been submitted. Independent architecture firm Hotson Bakker, which was hired by the city of Vancouver, came to the conclusion that the current stadium plans are unworkable. They reported that the development does not fit with the Gastown district and doesn't take future residential developments into account. They also stressed the need for a comprehensive waterfront plan.
A group of local Gastown businesses and residents that support the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium are represented by Stadium NOW!. Thousands have also voiced their support for the project through the Friends of Soccer campaign.
History
On July 11, 2006, Vancouver's city council gave unanimous approval to continue the planning process, provided that certain critical problems are addressed.Specific issues include the lack of roads for spectator and emergency access, and the stadium's location above railroad tracks. The project will be reviewed quarterly by city planners until the stadium's construction is approved; the developers have two years to accomplish this.
On January 22, 2007, the Whitecaps filed a new proposal shifting the proposed site for the stadium project to the current location of the SeaBus terminal, a short distance northwest of the previous site.
On February 1, 2007, Vancouver City Council unanimously endorsed a city staff report which identifies a process to potentially resolve the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium’s five key requirements set out by City Council. In addition, the staff report outlined a procedure to integrate the stadium with the Waterfront Hub Study.
In July 2007, the City of Vancouver noted that "The Whitecaps and the VPA are now considering an alternative siting which addresses the technical constraints facing the SeaBus terminal site. This would involve some of the VPA-owned land between the SeaBus terminal and Crab Park (see figure below) and would enable the SeaBus to remain in place. This area is anticipated for mixed use development by the Central Waterfront Port Lands Policy Statement (1994) and any proposal would need to be considered in that context." They further added "The Whitecaps and VPA are currently investigating whether this site could meet their needs and aspirations. If the Whitecaps and VPA decide to pursue the development of the stadium in this location, they will need to develop a proposal and submit it to City staff for evaluation and consultation with the public and interested parties."
Initial plans were targeting completion for Summer 2009, though this has been pushed back many times. On March 18, 2009 Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS) announced an expansion franchise to the city to begin play in 2011. The team has stated intentions to play at least the first season, and possibly up to five seasons, at BC Place Stadium
BC Place Stadium
BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the...
.
In 2011 Bob Lenarduzzi
Bob Lenarduzzi
Robert Italo Lenarduzzi, OBC is a former North American Soccer League star, Canadian international, and coach of the Canadian national and olympic soccer teams. He is currently President of Vancouver Whitecaps FC...
confirmed that the team is now committed to BC Place, and that plans for the waterfront stadium have been put on hold.