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 HISTORY OUR TRADITION 1974 1978 Vancouver is awarded a Bob Lenarduzzi (current WFC NASL franchise, debuting at president) is named North Empire Stadium in front of American Soccer Player of 18,000 fans. the Year. 1979 1983 The Whitecaps capture The Whitecaps move to BC the NASL Soccer Bowl Place Stadium and debut in Championship over the front of more than 60,000 fans. Tampa Bay Rowdies. 1986 1988 Vancouver 86ers are born The 86ers capture their first and join the Canadian Soccer of four consecutive CSL League (CSL) with Bob Championships. Lenarduzzi as coach. 1993 The 86ers join the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). 2001 2003 The club reverts back to the Greg Kerfoot purchases Whitecaps name and launches Whitecaps & Breakers, the Vancouver Breakers in the consolidating the men’s, USL – W League. women’s and youth teams under Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 2004 2006 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. 2007 2008 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 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeat Toronto FC 4-2 in their become the first Canadian club MLS debut in front of 22,592 to make the MLS Playoffs. fans at Empire Field. 2013 2013 Striker Camilo Sanvezzo In their third year in MLS, wins the MLS Golden Boot as Vancouver captured their first league’s top goal scorer. 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. 2014 2014 2014 marks the 40th All seven MLS matches have anniversary of Vancouver been sell-outs and we expect Whitecaps FC. 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: [email protected] 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 Secon Policy Direcons How does the Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal align with these direcons? Envision 2032 Economy and Aracng or developing investment and other resources (e.g., skills and Both the City and the Whitecaps FC organizaon could benefit from having a Employment experse) to the community in order to create a more sustainable facility within the community for professional sports. economy where employers and employees want to be located. Capitalizing on the advantages of New Westminster of being a central, The proposal may help aract addional investment as a result of having a sports well-connected and transit oriented community with excellent franchise within the community. This will be determined by the Economic Cost- amenies, including parks, trails, recreaon facilies, historic downtown Benefit Screening, to be completed by September 15, 2014. and vibrant waterfront. Parks and New Westminster has first class sport and fitness facilies. The proposed stadium upgrades would provide New Westminster with a high Recreaon Recreaon and sport programs are diverse and cater to persons of all quality facility, that would be made available to the community, local sports ages and abilies at all levels of achievement. groups and the Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise. The community is engaged and acvely involved in the definion of Design of the stadium upgrades would be required to adhere to City policy to recreaonal needs and the delivery of park and recreaon services. maximize natural features and minimize environmental impacts. Park and recreaon facilies are designed to maximize the site’s natural Community engagement – stakeholder meengs and community forums - will features and have minimal environmental impacts. inform City Council’s final decision regarding the USL PRO proposal. Livable City Strategy Economic Tourism is a major growth sector within the region. To be compeve Through this proposal, New Westminster could have an increased recreaonal Development within this sector, New Westminster should consider developing major draw with regional appeal and interest. Prospects for New cultural, historical, convenon-related and recreaonal aracons in Westminster order to increase its tourism profile within the region. Official Community Plan Parks and Open Provide a variety of recreaonal opportunies for the community. The proposed upgraded facilies would be available to the community and Space Goals sports groups. To ensure a variety of recreaonal opportunies are available for the community, addional sports facilies would be created. Tourism Goals Connue to promote the parks and recreaon system as a tourist Locang a Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise within Queen's Park may provide an aracon. opportunity to showcase the City's first-class parks and recreaon system. PARKS, CULTURE & RECREATION PLANS Plan Secon Policy Direcons How does the Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal align with these direcons? Parks and Recreaon Vision Provide quality leisure opportunies that meet the needs and preferences of The Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise proposal would result in stadium and field upgrades Comprehensive Plan residents by offering creave, innovave and accessible programs, community that could benefit local sports groups and the Whitecaps FC USL PRO franchise. facilies, parks and open spaces which improve the quality of life in the City of New Westminster. Strategies Deliver the best services which will ensure that each resident has the feeling The City is engaging stakeholders and the community for feedback regarding the and confidence that they will be treated fairly, responsibly and with respect Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal and community leisure and sports needs. and will feel cared for by the acons taken on their behalf. The proposal supports the strategy to make Queen's Park a centre of acvity and interest Provide quality services, facilies and programs which recognize the varied and by providing more opportunies for fun and enjoyment within parks. interests and needs within the community. The proposal could play an important role in encouraging and growing soccer Provide leisure opportunies that emphasize fun and enjoyment. parcipaon within the community, introducing more opportunies for athlec development and mentorship, and building coaching and leadership capacity. Provide comprehensive parks and recreaon services which are supported by the community. The proposal would require upgrades to the stadium to ensure the facilies meet USL PRO standards. Make parks and recreaon facilies a centre of acvity and interest in the community. The exisng 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 locaon Provide a comprehensive park and open space system to meet the within the city. requirements of present and future generaons. Queen's Park Master Plan A Vision for Queen's Queen's Park is: The Whitecaps FC USL PRO proposal could broaden the acvies for residents and Park • An evolving great city park integrang layers of heritage, history and visitors when vising the park.