CP: Impact outgrowing their roots in Montreal

[Daniel]

Impact outgrowing their roots in Montreal

The need for new soccer facilities in Canada has never been more evident than in Montreal.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/story/10 ... 5537120324

(posted May. 21, 5:46PM EDT)
MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact may be outgrowing little Claude Robillard Stadium in the city's north end, but for now there is no intention of moving permanently to a bigger facility, team president Joey Saputo said Wednesday.

However, the Impact, one of the most successful clubs in soccer's A-League, may consider holding playoff games on the new FieldTurf surface at Molson Stadium, the home of the CFL's Alouettes.

“We drew 7,100 to our home opener on the weekend and if we continue that or if demand increases, we may have to look at other options,” said Saputo. “Either the city expands Robillard or we're moving to Molson Stadium.

“I don't think it would happen this year, unless there's a huge demand for playoff games.”

The Alouettes and McGill University, which owns the 20,202-seat Molson Stadium, announced last week that although the new turf would have football lines, techniques have been found to convert it to a soccer pitch by painting over lines and advertising logos.

The builders expect the stadium to receive accreditation from soccer's world governing body FIFA for use in official soccer matches. FIFA bans extra lines and advertising on its fields.

Claude Robillard, which has a grass pitch, can seat about 7,500, although the grandstand is far from the field.

The Impact averaged 5,178 spectators last season, with more than 7,500 at its last three regular season games and more than 6,000 at two playoff games.

Ticket demand is up this season, with most going in game-day sales or in group sales to amateur soccer organizations, Saputo said. The team has also attracted new sponsors.