Joe MacCarthy Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 During the 2015 season, a permanent artificial surface was installed at NRG Stadium. The Texans had used a natural surface since the stadium opened (2002), using a system of trays of sod similar to one used at Giants Stadium in its experiment with using a grass surface. In recent years, the stadium installed artificial turf to be used during high school and college games while keeping the grass for Texans games. After the Texans' home opener, complaints about the field conditions finally led to the installation of the artificial surface for Texans games. The surface brand is UBU Speed, which is part of Act Global. In 2017, NRG Stadium selected Hellas Construction to install its Matrix Turf with Helix Technology (artificial turf) at the stadium. The three year contract calls for a new turf field each year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pod818 Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 13 minutes ago, Joe MacCarthy said: Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium June 21, 2018 The Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium was a proposed open-air soccer facility in Vancouver, British Columbia that would have been privately funded and developed by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The proposed location was north of Gastown on the central waterfront on what was then a parking lot and the site of a helicopter landing pad. The proposed stadium would have housed the Vancouver Whitecaps FC men and women's clubs. The $70-million stadium would have had an initial capacity of 20,000, which would be potentially expandable to 30,000 seats. In addition to Vancouver Whitecaps FC matches, the stadium was intended host 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 had close access to many modes of public transportation, including SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express, and buses. Controversy Although Vancouver public support for the stadium was high (a Mustel survey found that 71% of Vancouver residents supported the project), the proposal drew protests from several groups including the Gastown Neighbourhood Coalition. Local architects Arthur Erickson and Bing Thom also urged caution, saying that piecemeal development of some of Vancouver's last undeveloped waterfront should be avoided. They argued that the stadium would deny waterfront access and would negatively affect the historical theme of the Gastown area. The architects urged city hall to delay approval until a comprehensive plan had been submitted. Independent architecture firm Hotson Bakker, which was hired by the city of Vancouver, concluded that the stadium plans as proposed were unworkable. They reported that the development did not fit with the Gastown district and did not take future residential developments into account. They also stressed the need for a comprehensive waterfront plan. 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 included the lack of roads for spectator and emergency access, and the stadium's location above railroad tracks. The project would be reviewed quarterly by city planners until the stadium's construction is approved; the developers had 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 identified 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 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 was committed to BC Place, and that plans for the Waterfront Stadium were put on hold. dang..waterfront..looks pretty nice. What a pity it got scrubbed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe MacCarthy Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 Remember this? Ideas usually don't go away forever. Mid-sized stadium, large-sized conversation starter in Edmonton 10 Dan Barnes Edmonton Journal Feb 10, 2017 Rendering of a mid-sized stadium on Edmonton's Northlands exhibition grounds. Artist's rendering It is a stunner, and sized to fill a gaping hole in Edmonton’s infrastructure inventory. For now, a mid-sized stadium pegged for the city’s Northlands exhibition grounds is off the books. But a citizens’ panel will soon be contemplating a civic strategy for bidding on major events, and a report from that panel to Edmonton city council is due this summer. In addition to laying out the broader vision, it will also help inform the city’s long-awaited decision on a potential bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. That’s where the stadium conversation could be restarted, and there are stakeholders hoping it proceeds. But first, a little background. The City of Edmonton’s mid-size stadium plan, which was approved by council in March 2014, cites the need for a venue with seating for up to 10,000 people, and centres on a phased-in Clarke Park expansion dependent on increased attendance for the primary tenant, which is now FC Edmonton. The 2022 Commonwealth Games bid committee determined there was a need for just such a stadium to host rugby sevens, but also decided a new facility could be built. In December 2014, the bid committee informed Northlands executives that their campus in northeast Edmonton had been chosen as the primary site for that venue, to be constructed at a cost of about $140 million. The total Games bid budget of $1 billion would have included 75 per cent of the cost of the stadium, with Northlands picking up the remainder. Reg Milley, the former chair of the 2022 bid committee who is now chairing the citizens’ panel, said Thursday he couldn’t comment on the contents of the 2022 bid. Economic downturn ended 2022 Games bid On Feb. 10, 2015, that bid was abandoned before it was delivered to Commonwealth Games Canada. Edmonton officials cited the financial downturn as the primary reason for their decision, and were offered first right of refusal to be Canada’s candidate city for the 2026 Games. That right has lapsed, but an Edmonton bid is still a possibility, according to city manager Linda Cochrane. Even in the absence of a Games bid, Northlands officials saw merit in the mid-size stadium project and followed through by developing a comprehensive plan for the phased-in construction of the facility, abutting Wayne Gretzky Drive. At the time, Northlands was still committed to horse racing on their campus, and the plan called for the stadium to be opened to the west as a viewing area for the track. It also incorporated suites, a buffet restaurant and a casino. The first phase of stadium construction would have seen 5,000 seats built in a lower bowl, with 15,000 to come in a second loge phase. The plan also contemplated beer gardens, warm-up, medical and media areas, and a 95,000-square-foot removable dome to make it a year-round venue for minor, high school, college, university and major sports, including the soccer club, FC Edmonton. Northlands eventually determined the risks were too great, particularly in the absence of capital funding from a potential Games bid budget, so it shelved the plan. “As a part of Vision 2020 process, we had a six-member working committee explore the feasibility of a mid-size outdoor stadium that built upon prior work performed alongside the 2022 Commonwealth Games bid,” said Northlands president Tim Reid. “To the credit of our board, they felt it was not appropriate at the time. “However, they preserved the space and site plan for future consideration.” New stadium would suit soccer team And if a bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games proceeds and succeeds, it would be time to consider that stadium plan once again, with or without the horse-racing component. FC Edmonton is certainly one of the more interested stakeholders. They play out of Clarke Park and are looking for new digs, and could make use of a mid-sized stadium. “I’ve talked a little bit with Northlands about some of their plans,” said FC Edmonton owner Tom Fath. “Building a new facility in Edmonton is incredibly important for us. People, when they go to a professional sport, they want fancy and new, right. It’s clear that Edmonton needs a real good, mid-sized stadium. It could be at Northlands. It could be somewhere else. But that’s really important for Edmonton.” Indeed, in building a venue plan for the Games, committee members had to envision what was right for Edmonton. “When you’re looking at your venue plan for hosting a Games, first and foremost in that venue plan is really what do you need for the long term, not what’s needed for the Games,” said Brian MacPherson, CEO of Commonwealth Games Canada, who still hopes Edmonton will bid for 2026. “That’s the legacy value. It’s very important to have the right sized stadium that’s built for the city, not just a singular one-off event.” The city’s inventory of facilities with artificial turf includes Foote Field with seating for 3,500, and Clarke Park at 5,000, and is topped by Commonwealth Stadium at 56,200. For now, the mid-sized stadium is still only on a wish list. johnyb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrstepp817 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 It wouldn't surprise me if Houston and Dallas both got bids to host in 2026..Jerry World is still a premier venue..the only issue is the corners with the on-field suites..but its larger than NRG and has more of the luxury suites etc also Joe MacCarthy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 (edited) The quote below was taken from November 23 during the press conference from the Toronto. At that time, Montagliani was pretty steadfast that they were proceeding with Edmonton and Toronto. Suggesting that they were OK with two Cnd bids. Hence the recent news that the CSA contcated Horgan suggests that there must be concerns with the funding for Edmonton. quote from November 23rd, 2021: ““I know that the premier of British Columbia (John Horgan) had expressed some interest and that’s great,” said Montagliani, who was joined at the head table by Smith, Toronto Mayor John Tory, and Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture. “But right now we’re dealing with the players we have, not the players that are not on the team” https://www.amny.com/sports/fifa-wraps-up-inspection-of-potential-2026-world-cup-venues-in-us-canada-mexico/ Edited February 17, 2022 by Free kick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattd97 Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 i wonder if this thread will be remembered when everyone is crying about them playing jamaica in toronto narduch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 The provincial budget was just unveiled in Alberta. no word that i was able to find or hear about funding for WC 2026 upgrades Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 26 minutes ago, Free kick said: The provincial budget was just unveiled in Alberta. no word that i was able to find or hear about funding for WC 2026 upgrades Would we really expect budget commitments in the 2022 budget for the 2026 event? Wouldn't they have to have been announced as a venue first? Shway 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) 16 hours ago, ted said: Would we really expect budget commitments in the 2022 budget for the 2026 event? Wouldn't they have to have been announced as a venue first? They won’t be announced as venue unless FIFA knows that the stadium is going to be upgraded. Especially with the right surface. FIFA said so in the inspection, that they have to replace the surface. There is no two ways about that. Yes, budgets are for current fiscal year(s) and this expenditure is for two years down that line. But again, FIFA is to announce the venues in the next couple of weeks, so time is running out. if I were to handicap who will be hosts, I would say todays events changes the odds significantly. Vancouver (along with Toronto) looks like the odds on favourite now. Edited February 25, 2022 by Free kick Cheeta 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eramosat Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 1 hour ago, Free kick said: They won’t be announced as venue unless FIFA knows that the stadium is going to be upgraded. Especially with the right surface. FIFA said so in the inspection, that they have to replace the surface. There is no two ways about that. Yes, budgets are for current fiscal year(s) and this expenditure is for two years down that line. But again, FIFA is to announce the venues in the next two months. if I were to handicap who will be hosts, I would say todays events changes the odds significantly. Vancouver (along with Toronto) looks like the odds on favourite now. are there any scenarios where a 3rd Canadian city gets a game? there are a lot of games to be played... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmrich Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 The Feds have committed their third and so has the City of Edmonton. The last third is up to the province and they have two weeks to step up to the plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) 14 hours ago, eramosat said: are there any scenarios where a 3rd Canadian city gets a game? there are a lot of games to be played... It is supposed to be three cities!, if you go back and read the pages on this thread. . But Canada can not even find two cities who have the facilities to hosts. There aren't suitable stadiums in Canada for this kind of event. Either they dont have the proper surface or they don't have the capacity. So far, best they can do is find two cities whose facilities and infrastructure, come close enough. Edited February 25, 2022 by Free kick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eramosat Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 55 minutes ago, Free kick said: It is supposed to be three cities!, if you go back and read the pages on this thread. Well...I went back to, oh, about page 3, and skim-read to about page 9. And what a wide-ranging, s**t-show of a discussion it was! But I learned a bit, so thank you. Free kick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 49 minutes ago, eramosat said: Well...I went back to, oh, about page 3, and skim-read to about page 9. And what a wide-ranging, s**t-show of a discussion it was! But I learned a bit, so thank you. If you think this is fun what a delight it was getting a venue built in Toronto for the U20s. Wow. Kevin Pipe's CSA at its pinnacle. It was absolutely glorious. You know, in much the same way as that Mike Tyson with Robin Givens interview was glorious there in the late '80s. I get a facial tick just thinking about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eramosat Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 as i continue to wade through the thread, is there any talk anywhere/anytime of the CFL modifying their field requirements to align with soccer stadium needs a bit more and build some synergies? CFL field sizes are certainly outliers. CFL finances are so-so, and probably couldn't hurt to get into business with growing Canadian soccer. if MLS has taught CFL owners anything, it's that North American soccer is on the verge of busting out, $-wise. And while I don't insist the CFL modify it's rules just for soccer's needs...those fields are just a bit nutty, and sport rules change all the time for the sake of business imperatives. those end zones can't get a bit shorter, and still preserve the integrity of the sport? CanadianSoccerFan, SoccMan and Free kick 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmen Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 29 minutes ago, eramosat said: as i continue to wade through the thread, is there any talk anywhere/anytime of the CFL modifying their field requirements to align with soccer stadium needs a bit more and build some synergies? CFL field sizes are certainly outliers. CFL finances are so-so, and probably couldn't hurt to get into business with growing Canadian soccer. if MLS has taught CFL owners anything, it's that North American soccer is on the verge of busting out, $-wise. And while I don't insist the CFL modify it's rules just for soccer's needs...those fields are just a bit nutty, and sport rules change all the time for the sake of business imperatives. those end zones can't get a bit shorter, and still preserve the integrity of the sport? I know what you're saying here, but the short answer is that it's not ideal. The CFL (in most markets) needs a stadium that's much too large for the CPL. They share a field in Toronto, and from what I gather no one is really happy with it. If you're suggestion is that the CFL stadiums be built so that they can temporarily handle soccer (ie for a big one-off game), that makes sense...but also Canada won the right to co-host the World Cup and still no one is eagerly stepping forward to do it. Free kick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kacbru Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 2 hours ago, eramosat said: as i continue to wade through the thread, is there any talk anywhere/anytime of the CFL modifying their field requirements to align with soccer stadium needs a bit more and build some synergies? CFL field sizes are certainly outliers. CFL finances are so-so, and probably couldn't hurt to get into business with growing Canadian soccer. if MLS has taught CFL owners anything, it's that North American soccer is on the verge of busting out, $-wise. And while I don't insist the CFL modify it's rules just for soccer's needs...those fields are just a bit nutty, and sport rules change all the time for the sake of business imperatives. those end zones can't get a bit shorter, and still preserve the integrity of the sport? Paging @Joe MacCarthy , are you there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eramosat Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 10 minutes ago, kacbru said: Paging @Joe MacCarthy , are you there? I've educated myself some more, about the topic and the forum. You're not calling down wrath upon me...are you? Free kick and narduch 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narduch Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 13 minutes ago, eramosat said: I've educated myself some more, about the topic and the forum. You're not calling down wrath upon me...are you? Just don't say anything bad about the CFL. Like how the Argos moving to BMO Field ruined the ambiance of the soccer experience Kadenge and Free kick 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe MacCarthy Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 51 minutes ago, kacbru said: Paging @Joe MacCarthy , are you there? Paging @kacbru I'll get the CFL to change a century of history regarding field size when you get soccer to use stop time so people don't lie on the field faking injury, killing off the clock. You also might want to check the ownership of some CPL teams and see who was risking money there on a totally new venture, before shitting on the CFL. You might also want to check who owns the "CFL stadiums" and realize without the CFL they likely wouldn't have been built without the CFL. jonovision and MtlMario 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe MacCarthy Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 33 minutes ago, narduch said: Just don't say anything bad about the CFL. Like how the Argos moving to BMO Field ruined the ambiance of the soccer experience Goo, goo Nardick, goo, goo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe MacCarthy Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 3 hours ago, eramosat said: those end zones can't get a bit shorter, and still preserve the integrity of the sport? The playbook is shortened exponentially with a smaller endzone, meaning less plays you can run. Just for the record mods, you see who started this one, wasn't me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe MacCarthy Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 3 hours ago, eramosat said: as i continue to wade through the thread, is there any talk anywhere/anytime of the CFL modifying their field requirements to align with soccer stadium needs a bit more and build some synergies? So, you guys don't wanna share BMO but expect the CFL to accommodate you everywhere else, is that how it goes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonovision Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 10 minutes ago, Joe MacCarthy said: Paging @kacbru I'll get the CFL to change a century of history regarding field size when you get soccer to use stop time so people don't lie on the field faking injury, killing off the clock. You also might want to check the ownership of some CPL teams and see who was risking money there on a totally new venture, before shitting on the CFL. You might also want to check who owns the "CFL stadiums" and realize without the CFL they likely wouldn't have been built without the CFL. I think you can state it more simply. Without the CFL and its ownership community, there is no CPL. red card, johnyb and Joe MacCarthy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe MacCarthy Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 Just now, jonovision said: I think you can state it more simply. Without the CFL and its ownership community, there is no CPL. I'm sure they went into it for all the money the CPL will make them in it's first 10 years, if it lasts that long. /s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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