Welcome Community Forum: Whitecaps FC USL PRO Proposal for Queen s Park Stadium
PROPOSAL Evaluate the feasibility of establishing a game day venue for a USL PRO soccer franchise in New Westminster at Queen s Park Stadium. Team to be affiliated with Vancouver Whitecaps FC and owned by Whitecaps FC and other private parties. Upgrade Queen s Park Stadium to accommodate the new team. Proposed changes being studied include: Conversion of stadium field to soccer use only Rehabilitation of existing concrete grandstand Replacement of existing wooden bleachers Increase overall stadium seating capacity to 3,500 (from current 2,000) Addition of spaces for team locker rooms and related support areas Development of a new synthetic turf field (with lights) to the immediate east of the stadium Relocation of baseball facilities to an alternate location within the City of New Westminster
Our h i s t o r y o ur t r a d i t i o n 1974 1978 1979 1983 1986 1988 Vancouver is awarded a NASL franchise, debuting at Empire Stadium in front of 18,000 fans. The Whitecaps capture the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Vancouver 86ers are born and join the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) with Bob Lenarduzzi as coach. Bob Lenarduzzi (current WFC president) is named North American Soccer Player of the Year. The Whitecaps move to BC Place Stadium and debut in front of more than 60,000 fans. The 86ers capture their first of four consecutive CSL Championships. 1993 The 86ers join the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). 2001 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 The club reverts back to the Whitecaps name and launches the Vancouver Breakers in the USL W League. Greg Kerfoot purchases Whitecaps & Breakers, consolidating the men s, women s and youth teams under Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Whitecaps women win the USL Whitecaps FC win multiple USL W-League championship. Titles men win the USL First Division championship and women win the USL W-League championship. Vancouver Whitecaps FC Vancouver Whitecaps FC wins residency program is launched. its second USL First Division Championship. Vancouver 2012 2009 Vancouver Whitecaps FC is awarded an MLS expansion franchise. 2011 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeat Toronto FC 4-2 in their MLS debut in front of 22,592 fans at Empire Field. Striker Camilo Sanvezzo wins the MLS Golden Boot as league s top goal scorer. 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC become the first Canadian club to make the MLS Playoffs. In their third year in MLS, Vancouver captured their first trophy The Cascadia Cup. The Caps results against Seattle and Portland earned the Blue and White a fourth Cascadia Cup title the most among the three clubs. All seven MLS matches have been sell-outs and we expect many more to come.
Whitecaps FC s vision: To be a champion club on and off the soccer pitch Club values: Unity, Winning, and Honour Motto: Our All. Our Honour. The USL PRO project ties into our club vision, values and brand to: Grow the sport of soccer in New Westminster and in the Lower Mainland Create a professional team that provides a bridge from Whitecaps FC youth programming to the club s Major League Soccer (MLS) team Develop a long-term platform to develop young players for the Canadian national team Drive and support the growth of the USL PRO partnership with MLS Build a successful franchise that the community can be proud of for years to come together!
Why New Westminster? Shared vision for sport and community Strong community and great family demographic Progressive and forward thinking city with a rich sports history Accessible and central location
What is USL PRO? Strongest U.S. men s professional soccer league below and in support of Major League Soccer Proving ground for emerging talent 18 confirmed clubs and growing rapidly Whitecaps FC would be the 2nd MLS club with a USL PRO franchise, joining LA Galaxy 28 match season (March through September) 14 home matches Most matches held on weekend afternoons or early evenings
Benefits Socio-economic: Jobs and services to the community Beautiful refurbished stadium at Queen s Park Affordable, family friendly entertainment for the community to enjoy a great way to spend a weekend afternoon Camps, clinics, and other community initiatives for New Westminster youth North America wide recognition for the City of New Westminster 18 USL PRO teams throughout the United States Great opportunity to see local talent another layer of access to soccer programs for our community
Forum Objectives What information needs to be gathered and analyzed as part of the feasibility work? What are the key impacts and benefits of the proposal? What factors and considerations are important for Council to know before it makes a decision? We need your feedback! Email: explore_whitecaps@newwestcity.ca Phone: 604.527.4567 Form: See the front desk staff for a copy Website: www.newwestcity.ca ( Hot Topics section)
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS Plan Sec)on Policy Direc)ons How does the Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal align with these direc)ons? Envision 2032 Economy and Employment AFrac)ng or developing investment and other resources (e.g., skills and exper)se) to the community in order to create a more sustainable economy where employers and employees want to be located. Both the City and the Whitecaps FC organiza)on could benefit from having a facility within the community for professional sports. Capitalizing on the advantages of New Westminster of being a central, well- connected and transit oriented community with excellent ameni)es, including parks, trails, recrea)on facili)es, historic downtown and vibrant waterfront. The proposal may help afract addi)onal investment as a result of having a sports franchise within the community. This will be determined by the Economic Cost- Benefit Screening, to be completed by September 15, 2014. Parks and Recrea)on New Westminster has first class sport and fitness facili)es. Recrea)on and sport programs are diverse and cater to persons of all ages and abili)es at all levels of achievement. The proposed stadium upgrades would provide New Westminster with a high quality facility, that would be made available to the community, local sports groups and the Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise. The community is engaged and ac)vely involved in the defini)on of recrea)onal needs and the delivery of park and recrea)on services. Design of the stadium upgrades would be required to adhere to City policy to maximize natural features and minimize environmental impacts. Park and recrea)on facili)es are designed to maximize the site s natural features and have minimal environmental impacts. Community engagement stakeholder mee)ngs and community forums - will inform City Council s final decision regarding the USL PRO proposal. Livable City Strategy Economic Development Prospects for New Westminster Tourism is a major growth sector within the region. To be compe))ve within this sector, New Westminster should consider developing major cultural, historical, conven)on- related and recrea)onal afrac)ons in order to increase its tourism profile within the region. Through this proposal, New Westminster could have an increased recrea)onal draw with regional appeal and interest. Official Community Plan Parks and Open Space Goals Provide a variety of recrea)onal opportuni)es for the community. The proposed upgraded facili)es would be available to the community and sports groups. To ensure a variety of recrea)onal opportuni)es are available for the community, addi)onal sports facili)es would be created. Tourism Goals Con)nue to promote the parks and recrea)on system as a tourist afrac)on. Loca)ng a Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise within Queen's Park may provide an opportunity to showcase the City's first- class parks and recrea)on system.
PARKS, CULTURE & RECREATION PLANS Plan Sec)on Policy Direc)ons How does the Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal align with these direc)ons? Parks and Recrea)on Comprehensive Plan Vision Provide quality leisure opportuni)es that meet the needs and preferences of residents by offering crea)ve, innova)ve and accessible programs, community facili)es, parks and open spaces which improve the quality of life in the City of New Westminster. The Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise proposal would result in stadium and field upgrades that could benefit local sports groups and the Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise. Strategies Deliver the best services which will ensure that each resident has the feeling and confidence that they will be treated fairly, responsibly and with respect and will feel cared for by the ac)ons taken on their behalf. Provide quality services, facili)es and programs which recognize the varied interests and needs within the community. Provide leisure opportuni)es that emphasize fun and enjoyment. Provide comprehensive parks and recrea)on services which are supported by the community. Make parks and recrea)on facili)es a centre of ac)vity and interest in the community. Provide a comprehensive park and open space system to meet the requirements of present and future genera)ons. The City is engaging stakeholders and the community for feedback regarding the Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal and community leisure and sports needs. The proposal supports the strategy to make Queen's Park a centre of ac)vity and interest and by providing more opportuni)es for fun and enjoyment within parks. The proposal could play an important role in encouraging and growing soccer par)cipa)on within the community, introducing more opportuni)es for athle)c development and mentorship, and building coaching and leadership capacity. The proposal would require upgrades to the stadium to ensure the facili)es meet USL PRO standards. The exis)ng baseball field at Queen s Park Stadium would be relocated as part of this proposal; City staff would work with the community to determine a suitable loca)on within the city. Queen's Park Master Plan A Vision for Queen's Park Queen's Park is: An evolving great city park integra)ng layers of heritage, history and individual memories. A park for everyone providing green space and recrea)on facili)es, culture and sports ac)vi)es for local residents and visitors of all ages. A place of celebra)on and discovery suppor)ng a broad spectrum of community and family ac)vi)es. A coherent and unified park that is well designed and integrated in character. Master Plan Overview Replace Stadium Grandstand with a new, high- quality facility The Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal could broaden the ac)vi)es for residents and visitors when visi)ng the park. Professional sports within Queen's Park would see the con)nued evolu)on and legacy of Queen's Park as a premier regional park. Staff will work with Whitecaps FC to ensure facility upgrades allow for use by Whitecaps FC and the community and respect the character of the park. The proposal would require upgrades to the stadium grandstand to increase sea)ng occupancy and meet USL PRO standards. Park Zones The Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal is generally consistent with the Park Zones established under the Queen s Park Master Plan. The area being proposed is located within the "Ac)ve Recrea)on Zone". The Park Zones may need to be amended in order to ensure that there will not be any issues with keeping this as an "Ac)ve Recrea)on Zone" provided that the facili)es con)nue to be used by the community.
TIMELINE July 7, 2014 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Whitecaps FC and City of New Westminster on the USL PRO franchise proposal for Queen s Park Stadium to study the possibility of bringing a professional soccer team to New Westminster. July 8, 2014 Public announcement on proposal July 2014 September 2014 Queen s Park Stadium feasibility study Economic Cost-Benefit Screening Community Engagement and Consultation Stakeholder meetings Community Forum 1: July 29, 2014 Community Forum 2: August 9, 2014 Queen s Park Transportation and Parking Study September 15, 2014 Final report to Council for decision September 16, 2014 Whitecaps FC notification to USL PRO of decision
ECONOMIC COST-BENEFIT SCREENING As part of its due diligence, the City has commissioned an Economic Cost-Benefit Screening to identify the associated costs and benefits from an arrangement with Whitecaps FC. The screening will include: Review of comparable initiatives in other cities Review of the City s operating and capital budget assumptions and rental rate analysis Identification and rough order of magnitude of potential local benefits derived from hosting the Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise Defining the area of influence for potential commercial benefits Benefits to local businesses, such as food and beverage, hotels, professional sports specialties, etc., both on game days and throughout the year Sponsorship opportunities Spin-off benefits such as relationships and partnerships that could be created and leveraged for other opportunities either by the City, the community or other local organizations (e.g., use of the City s Anvil conference centre for team/organization related events, attracting new businesses due to increased quality of life,) Social benefits to the community (sense of community pride, improved training facilities, skill and sport development opportunities, etc) High level review of costs versus benefits A generalized conclusion on whether the City would receive a positive return on investment
HISTORY OF SPORT IN QUEEN S PARK Queen s Park has a long history of sports dating back to 1886 when the first race track was built. Queen s Park Stadium, present Mann Cup Minto Cup, 1910 Sports Facilities: 1930 Civic Arena, (later named Queen s Park Arena) built and used for badminton, basketball and horse shows. 1938 Queen s Park Arenex built to accommodate dry-floor activities when ice is installed at the Arena. 1950 The main section of the Stadium Grandstand is rebuilt into the structure known today. 2012 The official opening Queen s Park East Artificial Turf field with financial contribution from Royal City Youth Soccer Club. Sports Teams: Lacrosse New Westminster Salmonbellies 1889 present Won the Mann Cup 26 times, most recently in 1991 Baseball Vancouver Cannons, Junior and Senior, 2009 present Baseball New Westminster Little League - 2013, D6 9/10 All-Stars Champions - 2008, D3 Senior Big League Champion New Westminster Royals Hockey New Westminster Bruins 1971-1981; 1983-1988 Western Hockey League Champions 1975,1976,1977, & 1978 Memorial Cup Champions 1977 & 1978 Hockey New Westminster Royals 1945-1959; 1967-1996 1950 Won the PCHL Championship in Queen s Park Arena Community sport organizations (Minor Hockey, Royal City Youth Soccer, New Westminster Minor Lacrosse, New Westminster Softball, and Shasta Trampoline)
QUEEN S PARK
QUEEN S PARK STADIUM
GETTING TO QUEEN S PARK Then Queens Park Exhibi@on Grounds and BC Electric Railway Network, circa 1905 and now Pedestrian and Vehicular Access and Parking Example of Whitecaps FC Bike Parking in Vancouver Transit Routes: C3, C4, C9, 106, 128, 123, 155, SkyTrain Greenways and Bike Routes
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING Exis@ng park and stadium access Current Conditions and Issues: Game day traffic demand similar to Salmonbellies playoff game Potential for multiple concurrent events (e.g., weddings, picnic, hockey, gymnastics, etc.) 550 on-site parking stalls, anticipated demand ~1000 vehicles Large local fan base expected Soccer fans tend to carpool and use alternative modes Site is close to multiple bus routes, SkyTrain stations and Greenways Transportation and Parking Study: Use of internal parking stalls Identify potential overflow parking locations: City Hall Justice Institute of BC Front Street Parkade Promotion of alternative modes (walking, 5- and 10- minute walk circles from stadium cycling, transit, carpooling, etc.) Shuttle bus to SkyTrain/overflow parking Potential resident-only parking options