7. seat capacities ranging from 1,500 to Sporting Facilities - 56,302. These facilities have 1 differing levels of use and capacity Seat Capacity providing a variety of programs and (S. Mandel) services to youth and adults at the community, post secondary and professional sport levels. These Recommendation: venues are also used to host local, That the January 28, 2013, Community provincial, national and international Services report 2013CSS002, be events. received for information. 1. Commonwealth Stadium hosts Edmonton Eskimos games, Report Summary concerts, national / international This report provides information on soccer and rugby tournaments increasing the seat capacity at Clarke (56,302 seats, when seat Stadium, options available to build a replacement is completed, with 10,000 - 15,000 seat outdoor stadium artificial turf). and a full sized indoor soccer facility. 2. TELUS Field hosts national and international baseball events and Previous Council/Committee Action has been previously used for At the September 19, 2012, Executive minor league professional Committee meeting, Mayor S. Mandel, baseball. There are three groups made the following inquiry: exploring the use of TELUS Field The City of Edmonton prides itself on for the 2013 and 2014 baseball having some of the best sporting seasons for play in the American facilities in Canada. Currently a gap Association League (Double A exists regarding a facility that will Baseball), the Pioneer League seat 10,000 to 15,000 attendees for (Single A Baseball) and Western events. Major Baseball League (Edmonton Prospects, Collegiate I would like Administration to provide Level Baseball). There are no the following information: confirmed teams at this time 1. What can be done in the short (9,000 seats with artificial turf term to increase seating capacity infield). at Clarke Stadium? 3. Foote Field hosts University of 2. What options are available for a Alberta football and soccer, high 10,000 - 15,000 seat facility for school football, youth soccer events including those held by practices and league games FC Edmonton? (3,000 seats with artificial turf). 3. Investigate the opportunities to 4. Clarke Stadium hosts FC build a full-size indoor soccer Edmonton league games and facility. practices, high school and junior football, Canadian Football Report League practices, youth soccer • There are currently four outdoor practices and league games sporting stadiums in Edmonton with (1,500 seats with artificial turf). ROUTING – Executive Committee | DELEGATION – L. Brenneis WRITTEN BY – R. Jevne | January 28, 2013 – Community Services 2013CSS002 Page 1 of 5 Sporting Facilities - Seat Capacity (S. Mandel) • There are currently five indoor • FC Edmonton requires, as a soccer facilities with artificial turf in condition of their participation in the Edmonton. These facilities are all North American Soccer League, a extensively used and at capacity minimum seat capacity of 5,000. FC providing a variety of programs and Edmonton received an exemption services including: from this requirement for 2012, but 1. Three Edmonton Soccer Centres requires 5,000 seats for the 2013 (West, East and South), operated season. by the Edmonton Soccer • FC Edmonton has been working with Association, which support minor, Administration to expand Clarke youth and adult soccer Stadium seat capacity from 1,500 to organizations for competitive 5,000. A site and landscaping plan league games, tournaments and has been approved to accommodate practices, lacrosse and ball the seats. hockey (12 boarded arena style • A modular bleacher system with pitches, four in each facility - 50 3,500 seats has been purchased by to 150 seats per field). FC Edmonton and is currently in the 2. Commonwealth Community process of obtaining Alberta Safety Recreation Centre field house Code approval. If approval is not which supports public recreation, secured by January 2013, an rentals by organized sports alternate 3,500 bleacher system has (soccer, football, baseball, been identified that will be purchased lacrosse , rugby, ultimate frisbee), and installed by FC Edmonton. Edmonton Eskimos and FC • To accommodate the increased Edmonton practices (65 yard x 65 capacity the following spectator yard artificial turf field with amenities are planned: additional permanent football and soccer temporary washrooms, food and lines - no permanent spectator beverage services, and accessibility seats). requirements that will be coordinated 3. Karl Weidle Centre, operated by and funded by FC Edmonton. the Victoria Soccer Club, • Clarke Stadium’s artificial turf with supports youth and adult soccer permanent soccer and football lines organizations for competitive is near the end of its life cycle. There league games, tournaments and is currently an unfunded capital practices (73 yard x 40 yard profile to replace the artificial turf at artificial turf field with soccer lines Clarke. - 360 seats). • In the foreseeable future, increasing • FC Edmonton previously used Foote the seat capacity to 5,000 will meet Field as their competition venue; the needs for a medium sized however, due to challenges with the stadium. size, type of playing surface, and seat capacity they moved to Clarke Stadium in 2012. Options for a 10,000 – 15,000 Seat Outdoor Stadium Short Term Improvements of Clarke Stadium to Increase Capacity Page 2 of 5 Sporting Facilities - Seat Capacity (S. Mandel) • A 10,000 to 15,000 seat outdoor • An assessment of the top potential stadium could meet the needs for sites that meet or partially meet the training and games of professional selection criteria is outlined n soccer, as well as training and Attachment 1. This evaluation games for recreation adult, youth includes both existing stadiums and and minor soccer organizations and land identified as on the market and other field sports. The stadium could available for purchase at this time. also meet the venue needs for post • The four stadium options worth secondary, provincial, national and further exploration include Clarke international tournaments and Stadium, Commonwealth Stadium training camps for soccer and other lower bowl, TELUS Field and a field sports. In addition to stadium located on land available for addressing sport needs, the stadium purchase. could host a variety of events and • Clarke Stadium has had two concerts. investigations completed on the • Research of other stadiums in North potential seat capacity. The first was America indicates a typical outdoor a more detailed study that identified stadium includes a seat capacity of the potential to increase the seat 20,000 versus 15,000. A stadium of capacity to a maximum of 10,000. this size supports national/ The second higher-level international soccer events, as well investigation identified the ability to as, Major League Soccer, the next increase the seat capacity to a level of professional soccer. maximum of 20,000 with additions to • In addition to the seat capacity, an the existing grandstand structure, the outdoor soccer stadium typically east side and both end zones. Two includes a natural turf playing field of major event venues on Joe Clarke 105 metres x 68 metres, a minimum Athletic Grounds would have of four dressing rooms, officials, significant impacts to the site and media and medical support areas, surrounding neighbourhoods. public washrooms, admissions area, Further investigation would be concessions, administrative and required if this site is identified as the storage space. preferred location. • Administration conducted an • Commonwealth Stadium lower bowl extensive search of over 50 possible has a seat capacity of 32,000 that site locations based on the following could be used as a medium sized selection criteria: stadium. Currently only Toronto and 1. Land availability, zoning, Montreal with populations over ownership, current status and 4 million have both a medium sized size requirements for a 10,000 to (20,000 seats) and a larger stadium 20,000 seat stadium. (over 50,000 seats). 2. Central location, access to • TELUS Field could be converted to a arterial roads, close proximity to multi-sport field (baseball and existing or future LRT lines. soccer) through a reconfiguration of 3. Utilities and infrastructure the playing surface to artificial turf. availability. An example of this type of stadium is Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Oregon Page 3 of 5 Sporting Facilities - Seat Capacity (S. Mandel) that was a shared use field with soccer organizations and other soccer and baseball until 2010 when sports (baseball, rugby, ultimate it was converted to a soccer specific frisbee, football, field hockey). stadium with increased seat • The program for the facility includes capacity. The trend in stadium a full-sized soccer (105 metres x conversions is toward single purpose 68 metres artificial turf field), sport specific use not multi-sport. dressing rooms, officials and medical • TELUS Field requires improvements support areas, 300 spectator seats, to the scoreboards, field lighting, lobby area, concession, public mechanical upgrades and roof washrooms, administrative and repairs. storage space. • TELUS Field is identified in the West • There are several potential sites and Rossdale Urban Design Plan and the following organizations have Rossdale Area Redevelopment Plan indicated an interest in exploring as a long-term facility. However, potential partnership opportunities these plans provide for the eventual for an indoor full-size soccer facility: transition of existing parking areas Victoria Soccer Club,