Whitecaps pursue lease in renovated BC Place

May 16, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today 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.



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