Canadian Premier League Announces Expansion in Saskatchewan
Published on March 12, 2021 under Canadian Premier League (CPL) News Release
Toronto, ON / Saskatoon, SK - The Canadian Premier League (CPL) is pleased to announce they have awarded the exclusive rights to a CPL expansion club to Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. (LSSE), a Saskatchewan based company. The launch of an expansion club is contingent upon LSSE delivering a soccer-specific stadium to League standards, and to that end, LSSE has identified Prairieland Park in Saskatoon as a preferred site for a stadium.
"On behalf of the Board of Governors, we are pleased to make this announcement today as we know we have a very supportive and engaged community of soccer fans in Saskatchewan and have since we launched the League," said David Clanachan, Commissioner, Canadian Premier League. "We are extremely hopeful that LSSE will be able to meet the League soccer-specific stadium requirements so that we can begin celebrating Canadian soccer in Saskatoon."
Alan Simpson, Founder of LSSE and a life-long resident of Saskatchewan will head the effort to bring a CPL club to Saskatchewan. LSSE ownership group may further include Founding Partners and Community Partners with LSSE acting as the Managing Partner.
"We are excited about being part of the Canadian Premier League's expansion plans for Saskatchewan," said Alan Simpson principal of LSSE. "Signing the Agreement in Principle gives us the opportunity to bring the CPL and professional soccer to the province. By acquiring the exclusive rights to a CPL expansion club, we can immediately begin work on our first task, which is the development and financing of a soccer-ready stadium, suitable to CPL league wide standards, but more importantly, begin supporting the dream many Canadian kids have of playing pro soccer in their own province and country," Simpson added. "We think Prairieland Park in Saskatoon is an ideal location for a stadium - it already possesses many key attributes that would contribute to the long-term viability of a pro soccer team in Saskatchewan."
Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation is a membership based, non-profit corporation, first established as an agricultural society in 1886. Located in the Exhibition neighbourhood of the south-eastern portion of Saskatoon. Prairieland Park offers a variety of event facilities.
"When Prairieland was approached about the possibility of a soccer stadium at the Park, we felt compelled to consider whether such an infrastructure project could enhance the long-term sustainability of the Park, as well as contribute meaningfully to the City of Saskatoon," Mark Regier CEO of Prairieland Park commented. "While we have not come to a definitive answer, Prairieland has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LSSE. The signing of the MOU, therefore, marks the end of thoroughbred racing at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon. We feel it is our responsibility to embrace the possibility of new opportunities and address the rapid pace of change in our core businesses and services. We look forward to working with LSSE to understand whether a stadium at Prairieland is in our best long-term interests."
Canadian Premier League Stories from March 12, 2021
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