The Vancouver project

[Bxl Boy]

The Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club is looking for the right place to build a multi-million dollar soccer training facility which would also accommodate the men's national soccer team, and the expansive Garden City Lands might fit the bill.
The club's director of soccer operations, Bob Lenarduzzi, told The Richmond Review Wednesday that he wasn't aware of Friday's historic signing of a memorandum of understanding-expected to be ratified next month-that will see roughly 68 acres in downtown Richmond become city property.
The Whitecaps are looking to build a 10,000-seat soccer stadium in Vancouver in hopes of hosting games for the 2007 Under-20 World Cup, an event that will draw 500 million viewers and will be held in Canada.
While Richmond isn't under consideration for that stadium, the newly acquired lands east of Garden City Road could be appropriate for a soccer training complex. The Whitecaps need 20 to 30 acres and plan to invest up to $20 million on six fields with a club house, office space, a lounge, fitness equipment and changing rooms, he said.
"Certainly the timing is right. That's quite a huge undertaking and we're in the midst right now of looking for land to do that."
George Duncan, Richmond's chief administrative officer, said planning for the 136.4-acre site can't really begin until the deal is finalized in April. But although he can't speak for council, Duncan said he's open to having exploratory discussions with the club.
When asked if he plans to approach the city, Lenarduzzi said Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot is currently out of town and it would be inappropriate to be too proactive before getting direction from him.
"I would encourage, if there's an interest from the city in that regard, that hopefully in the meantime we hear from them. We have actually spoken with the City of Surrey about the idea of sharing at least one of the fields that we had. If you've got a relationship with the municipality you're going into, anything is doable."
Lenarduzzi said he would like to think municipalities see the value of having the Whitecaps soccer club and national teams training in their backyards.
"If the land is large enough to actually provide for municipal fields as well, it seems to me it would be a pretty good opportunity. At this stage we're still talking to municipalities and if there's an interest from a specific municipality that's something you'd love to hear from them on."

[penz]

20 millions... on est capables de trouver ça à Montréal pour un complexe du même genre. Surtout avec Saputo et maintenant un nouveau "partenaire majeur"...

[François]

Why would the Whitecaps invest all that money if their long term goal is to stay in the USL?
That is my question...

[Bxl Boy]

Why invest 10 millions in the entry fee, plus some others in players and staff (needed for MLS and professionnalism) when you can invest that money in a true soccer project
If all the USL team do the same, let's forget MLS...

[François]

Why invest 10 millions in the entry fee, plus some others in players and staff (needed for MLS and professionnalism) when you can invest that money in a true soccer project
If all the USL team do the same, let's forget MLS...

OK, then, but is that what the USL wants one day, to compete with the MLS?

[penz]

We need the same kind of vision in Montreal.

[François]

We need the same kind of vision in Montreal.

I think we do but it's a secret vision...