Jason Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I have been brooding about the lack of soccer in Calgary lately, and with word of Winnipeg making progress towards a pro club, I think it's time we took things into our own hands. Here's what we should do: Start laying the groundwork to solicit memberships for a soccer club in Calgary. Charge $50 for an annual membership which gives a vote, etc like the Sounders are setting up and Winnipeg is too. However, their dream of 25,000 memberships at $100 is too unrealistic. However, if we can raise $250,000 (5000 memberships) we could buy and operate a PDL franchise or maybe get in with the CSL -- the group would decide. I know it's not a new idea, but instead of talking about it, let's just do it. I know there are a million logistical questions, but maybe we need to set up the membership structure first then figure out the rest once we start accumulating cash. It's a bit of a leap of faith, but $50 is your show of support for soccer in Calgary in general. If you don't like the direction it's going in, you don't have to stay as a member. It's hardly a big commitment. I am willing to put my money and time into it. As the money starts to roll in, our credibility will increase. How about the Calgary based Voyageurs meet sometimes in November in person to discuss? E-mail me if you want to want to help set up a plan. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted December 8, 2008 Author Share Posted December 8, 2008 Just thought I'd mention I created a Facebook group for "Bring pro outdoor soccer to Calgary" last week. So far, Ed and I are the only members, but we have to start somewhere... Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarnado1555362291 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I've joined the group and invited some like minded individuals, hopefully we can get the ball rolling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sKriSh Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I personally think that facebook is dumb, but if you are interested in organizing any events, please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Hey Jason. I've been staying out of the soccer loop for a few months, so sorry it took me so long to answer your clarion call. I'll be glad to help out in any way that I can. Mind you, until the venue question gets settled, this is all a moot point. I too avoid Facebook like the plague, so you'll have to update me on future developments. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 it would be great to bring back pro soccer in calgary again. has foothills been renovated since the storm/mustang days? is their not a baseball stadium in calgary that can be reconfigured for soccer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
An Observer Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 i think foothills is the baseball stadium....I know portland plays in a football stadium but personally, I think they are terrible for soccer. what about the rugby stadium...i thought there was something for the calgary team in the super rugby league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 anyone have a pic of the stadium where the calgary baseball team plays. burns field? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Cooks Hey Jason. I've been staying out of the soccer loop for a few months, so sorry it took me so long to answer your clarion call. I'll be glad to help out in any way that I can. Mind you, until the venue question gets settled, this is all a moot point. I too avoid Facebook like the plague, so you'll have to update me on future developments. Cheers! I will provide updates here from time to time. Our Facebook list is now at a whopping 18 members, but that includes a current MNT member. How he heard about the group is not known to me, but I think it's kind of cool. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 quote:Originally posted by snake anyone have a pic of the stadium where the calgary baseball team plays. burns field? Here's a link to a decent picture of the baseball stadium: http://mysite.verizon.net/charliesballparks/stadiums/ph/calgary2.jpg It has not been renovated in any significant way recently, except that new seats were installed last season. A few years back, the soccer community wanted to take it over but the baseball community fought it. As long as there is a minor pro baseball club in the mix, I can't see that changing. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarnado1555362291 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 quote: Our Facebook list is now at a whopping 18 members, but that includes a current MNT member. How he heard about the group is not known to me, but I think it's kind of cool. Jason I had him on my facebook so I figured I would invite him to the group. Good to see him supporting our initiative. I believe there are some high profile soccer people around and we need to get them on board, would be nice if some players from the area are invited as well, perhaps Ed has some contacts ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 If you guys wanted pro football in Calgary, I think your best bet would be to contact this guy. http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=e095f45b-c59d-4c3d-a9a4-b509244c6f08 We have posted about him before, but the fact that he a) is local owns part of a Premier League team c) wants to expand his sports interests d) is a well-known philanthropist (we all know that the pro soccer ownership is virtually philanthropy in Canada) makes me think that he is the best shot you've got. Some Calgary V needs to become friends with this guy. You boys should be ringing his office everyday. The kind of money we are talking about for another USL or even CSL West team would be peanuts for this guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
An Observer Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 these are exactly the type of guys that I hope monopoli is talking to when he says the CSA is focusing on business development. they seriously need to attract a bunch of deep pocketed individuals to take on USL-1 franchises in places like Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Quebec City, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottawaguy2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Jason Here's a link to a decent picture of the baseball stadium: http://mysite.verizon.net/charliesballparks/stadiums/ph/calgary2.jpg It has not been renovated in any significant way recently, except that new seats were installed last season. A few years back, the soccer community wanted to take it over but the baseball community fought it. As long as there is a minor pro baseball club in the mix, I can't see that changing. Jason That can't honestly be the best Calgary can provide in the way of an outdoor field? Is McMahon entirely out of the question? What about the U of C or SAIT? I used to live in Calgary and I thought there would be more than the ball park to host a soccer team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 quote:Originally posted by ottawaguy2009 That can't honestly be the best Calgary can provide in the way of an outdoor field? Is McMahon entirely out of the question? What about the U of C or SAIT? I used to live in Calgary and I thought there would be more than the ball park to host a soccer team. I would not want McMahon for various reasons. Lines on the field, too large, the field has an extreme slope (walk beside it at ground level sometime!), it is crumb rubber turf (not even the good artificial stuff). SAIT has a field but no stands that I know of. Not much else with stands for the fans in Calgary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 McMahon is entirely out of the question. It is far too cavernous for the purpose. The new FieldTurf makes it much more viable from a playing standpoint than the old turf (many CUSA matches were played on it this season and the players thought it was quite good). Having said that, we saw what soccer in McMahon looked like when the Mustangs played there and it was just not a good fit. It's just too big. If anyone ever stepped up and built a SSS in Calgary, that would be the only potential owner that I would bother believing had a chance with the game in my town. It would be the only sign of proper commitment, in my eyes. Nothing in Calgary is a suitable venue for the sport at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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