Whitecaps Stadium moved again

[masster]

It looks like things aren't getting any easier for the Whitecaps.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=04eb5e6c-86cb-4d16-8ae3-c27911bfd6dd

[piltdownman]

But a stadium could also be a transition area between Crab Park and the more highly developed area to the west of the SeaBus Terminal.

Maybe I'm not getting it but west of the SeaBus Terminal would pressed up to Waterfront station and the province building, but back over train tracks. (FYI. there is only 160m between the seabus terminal and Waterfront station) besides crab park migth work, the parking area for the heliport is 115m x 250m .

http://www.whitecapsnewstadium.com/renderings.cfm#rendering5

[piltdownman]

Just goes to prove that Vancouver is such a no fun city though.

[Johnnie Monster]

This is going to have the NIMBY's up in arms. They were already griping about Crab Park being used by tailgaters... and that's when the stadium was further away.

I've got a bad feeling we're about to get screwed.

[royalcity]

I think we are already screwed.

I hope I'm wrong.

But, I have to wonder how long Kerfoot is going to put up with this? At what point do you start looking into other options? Other cities? (Burnaby)

[Richard]

Kerfoot already has backup plans of that you can be sure. Surrey City Centre is high up on the list, plenty of space, good transit hub, a willing city council and no doubt a very supportive community.

[Krammerhead]

quote:Originally posted by Richard

Surrey City Centre is high up on the list, plenty of space, good transit hub, a willing city council and no doubt a very supportive community.


Another great reason to not attend games.

[Richard]

Your loss. When did you last visit that part of the GVRD so you can speak from first hand experience rather than from hearsay (spoken by a former West Vancouverite)?

[Krammerhead]

It has nothing to do with the area. I just have no intention of taking transit to Surrey from North Vancouver. The whole idea of a downtown Vancouver was to have the stadium in the city of Vancouver.

[RJB]

Wow. Why is this such a challenge? Why does our city pay so much attention to the squawkers?

[Jeffery S.]

Vancouver has decided that after Burnaby getting all the international press attention for the u-20WC, it is really better if it stays that way. They have even requested that Michael Buble stop using the term "Vancouver" as his home town as he too is from Burnaby and things should be kept clearly separated. Let's not get Vancouver messed up in this soccer business, I mean key local soccer people like Lenarduzzi, Kerfoot and Krammerhead don't even live in the municipality.

This is the official position of the expert bureaucrats at city hall, who will only approve a project quickly if it is high-end waterfront housing with silly green tinted windows and chlorinated duck ponds.

[Richard]

quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead

It has nothing to do with the area. I just have no intention of taking transit to Surrey from North Vancouver. The whole idea of a downtown Vancouver was to have the stadium in the city of Vancouver.
I don't think the 'whole idea of a downtown Vancouver was to have the stadium' as you put it. If the City of Vancouver makes it too difficult for the people who want to build and pay for this facility then they will give up or go elsewhere, at a transit hub in a district that welcomes them. If you won't take a 40 minute Skytrain ride to watch an MLS game then that's your loss, lots of people do much more than that now. And you haven't answered my question about when you last visted Surrey City Centre, if ever, so we must presume you are making judgements out of pure ignorance?

[Johnnie Monster]

As someone who was raised in downtown Whalley, I can honestly say Surrey is nowhere near as bad as it's reputation.

That said, Surrey is a crap location for any outdoor pro sports organization. Playing in the suburbs effectively wipes out all of the the "big league" vibe that the Whitecaps are hoping to capitalize on by being downtown.

A smart owner puts his club a) where the population is, and b) where the masses will travel to willingly.

Kerfoot's trying like hell, but if DT Vancouver doesn't happen soon, I can't see the Caps ever making it out of the USL.

Not that any of this matters - the way the Caps are playing right now, they'll be lucky to get 2,000 at their next match.

[Krammerhead]

quote:If you won't take a 40 minute Skytrain ride to watch an MLS game then that's your loss

40 minutes? You obviously don't take transit anywhere. Do yo uthink I live at the skytrain station and hop on the train? You don't magically catch the skytrain and arrive at your destination. It takes me 45-60 minutes to get to Swangard from where I live presently. Thats walking to the seabus, waiting for the damn thing to arrive, taking the seabus over and then catching the skytrain....then the ride to and from the stadium is absolute magic with the junkies and bums waiting outside the station and the drunks/junkies riding the skytrain. It's obvious you drive your nice car to games or you wouldn't be making such ignorant comments about 45 minute rides to games.


quote:And you haven't answered my question about when you last visted Surrey City Centre, if ever, so we must presume you are making judgements out of pure ignorance?

Why should I Like I said above, Surrey's reputation has nothing to do with my decision. But if you want to be a nazi and interrogate me then I'll say I never stop in Surrey, only go through it to visit Chilliwack. I have no reason to go into Surrey, and I don't drive so why should I want to go there?

[Krammerhead]

One additional note. Many times one gets to the Seabus after a Whitecaps game to find that it's a 30 minute wait to the next seabus trip to North Vancouver. On those nights it takes me about 90 minutes just to get home from Burnaby.

But then one would actually be taking transit to know that, not some know it all who drives from games making assumptions.

[Canucks fan]

Its been over a year since the city council vote and what has happened since then? Instead of this project moving forward, it's gone backwards. I hate it to say it, but I'm really not to optimistic anymore about this ever getting built at the waterfront location. The new new location doesn't really sound like it will solve many of the issues city council and the nimbys seem to have.

[Canucks fan]

And just to comment on the prospect of having to travel to the suburbs to see games, it currently takes me a little over an hour by the B line and skytrain to get to swangard from UBC so it really wouldn't make a huge difference to have to ride it for another 20 mins to get to Surrey. But that's not the point. One of the main goals of this stadium was to create a world class facility in the heart of downtown. A picturesque stadium downtown that's transit friendly would be an attraction in itself and would surely bring in crowds. And I agree that if you want to have the "big league" mentality which clearly the whitecaps are trying to have, you gotta have the stadium downtown.

[ag futbol]

Just to join in randomly on this discussion. TFC is actually one of the few MLS clubs who have a stadium close to their downtown core. Many teams in MLS are actually located in suburbs. If the proposed stadium site goes through, Vancouver would have one of the best stadium locations in MLS.

Having a team downtown increases the presence of the club within the city, and with the easy transportation access it's more than worth the cost. I would strongly suspect that teams with better stadium locations in MLS will have an easier time retaining a fanbase.

I still have a hard time believing that people are again someone building a stadium downtown with his own money. Unreal.

[Blue and White Army]

Exactly right. Downtown stadium in Toronto = passionate fans, sold out stadium. A no-brainer, really.

[Mackenzie]

It'll be really quite sad if the Waterfront Stadium doesn't get built and they need to settle for Surrey. The location and view from the open North end would just be fantastic and probably be one of the best soccer stadiums in Canada or the US.

[Thistle]

quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army

Exactly right. Downtown stadium in Toronto = passionate fans, sold out stadium. A no-brainer, really.


Can't deny that, but with a city pop of 2.5 million and 5 million covering the GTA, filling a 25k stadium IS a no-brainer. It's still a novelty to the city but I agree that the 25k can be filled with nothing but football fanatics. By way of argument, though, how many of those fanatics use the GO train to get there?

[Thistle]

quote:Originally posted by Mackenzie

It'll be really quite sad if the Waterfront Stadium doesn't get built and they need to settle for Surrey. The location and view from the open North end would just be fantastic and probably be one of the best soccer stadiums in Canada or the US.


The scenery is for the TV cameras and tourists. Swangard pretty much covers that right now and has definitely impressed John Helm.

The only way I'd be looking up at the scenery of the north-end during play would be when Beckham's taking a penalty toward the north-end goal.

[Mackenzie]

Scenery is important I think. Watching TFC games and seeing the CN tower in the background is pretty neat and you know exactly where the game is at when turning it on. The new Montreal stadium will have the Big O's Tower in the background too. Without scenery you may as well be playing the the same ol pre-fab kit stadiums that everyone else is. Regardless, being in the downtown is more important than anything else, location location location.

[Daniel]

quote:Originally posted by Thistle

Can't deny that, but with a city pop of 2.5 million and 5 million covering the GTA, filling a 25k stadium IS a no-brainer. It's still a novelty to the city but I agree that the 25k can be filled with nothing but football fanatics.

Pretty much every team in MLS would beg to differ.

[VancouverDude]

quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:If you won't take a 40 minute Skytrain ride to watch an MLS game then that's your loss

40 minutes? You obviously don't take transit anywhere. Do yo uthink I live at the skytrain station and hop on the train? You don't magically catch the skytrain and arrive at your destination. It takes me 45-60 minutes to get to Swangard from where I live presently. Thats walking to the seabus, waiting for the damn thing to arrive, taking the seabus over and then catching the skytrain....then the ride to and from the stadium is absolute magic with the junkies and bums waiting outside the station and the drunks/junkies riding the skytrain. It's obvious you drive your nice car to games or you wouldn't be making such ignorant comments about 45 minute rides to games.


quote:And you haven't answered my question about when you last visted Surrey City Centre, if ever, so we must presume you are making judgements out of pure ignorance?

Why should I Like I said above, Surrey's reputation has nothing to do with my decision. But if you want to be a nazi and interrogate me then I'll say I never stop in Surrey, only go through it to visit Chilliwack. I have no reason to go into Surrey, and I don't drive so why should I want to go there?



You can enjoy your isoloated existence then. A stadium being viable in Surrey has absolutely nothing to do with you anyway.

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

[Krammerhead]

quote:You can enjoy your isoloated existence then. A stadium being viable in Surrey has absolutely nothing to do with you anyway.

Okay Mr. Lenarduzzi. I never said it had anything to do with me. This is a discussion board, and I was giving my opinion. I always give my opinion whether people with their panties in a bunch such as yourself like it or not. You do know these are discussion boards don't you?


quote:MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Big deal. I posted why I would be doing, not what they would be doing.

[Blue and White Army]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel


quote:Originally posted by Thistle

Can't deny that, but with a city pop of 2.5 million and 5 million covering the GTA, filling a 25k stadium IS a no-brainer. It's still a novelty to the city but I agree that the 25k can be filled with nothing but football fanatics.

Pretty much every team in MLS would beg to differ.

As would the Hartrells. :D

[Blue and White Army]

quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.

[Krammerhead]

quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.


It's clear that he lives in Surrey and isn't thinking of the obvious.

[VancouverDude]

quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.


Whether it would work elsewhere or not, it is just an absolute appalling situation that this cant get done in the downtown area. Vancouver city council continue to prove that they are idiots. I am so pissing angry.

[piltdownman]

Anywhere outside of downtown is trouble. They can't even get people to come out to Burnaby, how are they going to get people out to Surrey? And love them or hate them, but the corporate crowds will never go to Surrey. Surrey has a bad rep, which isn't that true. Surrey is a big place, and most of it is really nice. The problem is Walley/Central Surrey is scummy part nad as bad as Surrey's Rep. I grew up in Surrey, and my parents still live there, its not a nice place.

[Richard]

quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.
That may well be but I doubt Greg Kerfoot and crew have put all their eggs in one basket, I mentioned Surrey as only one possibility that had been mentioned by the Whitecaps themselves previously. Vancouver City Council could easily procrastinate on the stadium issue for another five years plus probably three years for construction. The Whitecaps organisation is no longer even willing to give a target date for Waterfront stadium completion, in that regard the project has moved backwards quite a long way. Despite that there are changes being planned within the organisation to prepare for a 'step up', take that whatever way you like.

[Macksam]

quote:Originally posted by Thistle


quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army

Exactly right. Downtown stadium in Toronto = passionate fans, sold out stadium. A no-brainer, really.


Can't deny that, but with a city pop of 2.5 million and 5 million covering the GTA, filling a 25k stadium IS a no-brainer. It's still a novelty to the city but I agree that the 25k can be filled with nothing but football fanatics. By way of argument, though, how many of those fanatics use the GO train to get there?


I use the Go Train, George Town line, Brampton station obivously.

[Calgary Boomer]

Let's stop the discussion about the stadium going anywhere OTHER than the waterfront. The discussions are ongoing, there is a agreed move slightly east with all the stakeholders, and there is a political will to get this done.

I'll bet a substantial sum that there will have to be yet ANOTHER public open house, but after that, and the odd Nimby complaint, the re-zoning will take place.

If there isn't a stadium on the waterfront, there won't be a new stadium AT ALL. End of story.

[Danny Boy]

Sounds about right... would Kefoot buy that property only to have the stadium in Surrey or Coquitlam or Richmond? I don't think so. Hell, he bought the building behind the property where the team offices are.

Is he making money off the railways on the property?

[Richard]

I doubt very much Greg Kerfoot makes any real estate investments with a view to losing money.

[Calgary Boomer]

I think he gets some lease revenue from the tracks. I don't think he owns the Landing building though.

I know one of the city planners involved in the project...and they're "stuck in". It's taking long, it's frustrating to not have significant progress, everyone involved is saying very little, but EVERYONE involved knows the benefits and the bragging rights down the road. It's no longer an "If" issue, rest assured.

I'll bet the Beckham ticket sales and U-20 attendance in Burnaby didn't hurt the whole process either.

[Danny Boy]

http://www.canadian-soccer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8298

I thought I remembered reading it here... I can't seem to find any articles backing it up but many other forums have mentioned it...

[VancouverDude]

quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.


It's clear that he lives in Surrey and isn't thinking of the obvious.


Are you actually a soccer supporter or just a guy who likes to chew things on a message board? I am new here but having seen your posts around there is nothing but misery attached to it. You either hate soccer, love it and our miserable, or are just simply void of any positivity in your life. Which one is it?

[VancouverDude]

quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.


It's clear that he lives in Surrey and isn't thinking of the obvious.


Are you actually a soccer supporter or just a guy who likes to chew things on a message board? I am new here but having seen your posts around there is nothing but misery attached to it. You either hate soccer, love it and our miserable, or are just simply void of any positivity in your life. Which one is it?

[Johnnie Monster]

quote:Originally posted by Danny Boy

Sounds about right... would Kefoot buy that property only to have the stadium in Surrey or Coquitlam or Richmond? I don't think so. Hell, he bought the building behind the property where the team offices are.

Is he making money off the railways on the property?


Yes, he's bought the Landing heritage building, and yes he's making serious dollars in long term lease deals with CP rail (think something in the range of 50 - 99 years). Figures have not been disclosed, but you can bet it's megabucks. Long story short, the railway $$$ would bring more revenue to the stadium than ticket sales. It's practically a self-sustaining development.

I also came across another interesting bit of info about the waterfront lot in the mediation documents relating the to CSA / Charmaine Hooper fallout. In a nutshell, there was discussion in those meetings which revealed that there has been some very preliminary interest on Kerfoot's part about putting condos up next to the stadium on the space that is left over after stadium construction.

[Krammerhead]

quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude


quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.


It's clear that he lives in Surrey and isn't thinking of the obvious.


Are you actually a soccer supporter or just a guy who likes to chew things on a message board? I am new here but having seen your posts around there is nothing but misery attached to it. You either hate soccer, love it and our miserable, or are just simply void of any positivity in your life. Which one is it?



You are the one that got on here all upset and snotty because I made a simple comment that I wouldn't be going to any games if a stadium was in Surrey. So that begs the question? Why are you so miserable with what I post here? Are the questions you ask above really questions you should be asking yourself? What is your agenda?

[VancouverDude]

quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude


quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.


It's clear that he lives in Surrey and isn't thinking of the obvious.


Are you actually a soccer supporter or just a guy who likes to chew things on a message board? I am new here but having seen your posts around there is nothing but misery attached to it. You either hate soccer, love it and our miserable, or are just simply void of any positivity in your life. Which one is it?



You are the one that got on here all upset and snotty because I made a simple comment that I wouldn't be going to any games if a stadium was in Surrey. So that begs the question? Why are you so miserable with what I post here? Are the questions you ask above really questions you should be asking yourself? What is your agenda?


From what I read you dont go to games in Burnaby either, and wont go to games if they are downtown. Surrey is not the reason you wont go to a game.

[Calgary Boomer]

quote:[i] In a nutshell, there was discussion in those meetings which revealed that there has been some very preliminary interest on Kerfoot's part about putting condos up next to the stadium on the space that is left over after stadium construction.


Good god. I hope that information doesn't cause any more difficulties.

[Danny Boy]

quote:Originally posted by Calgary Boomer


quote:[i] In a nutshell, there was discussion in those meetings which revealed that there has been some very preliminary interest on Kerfoot's part about putting condos up next to the stadium on the space that is left over after stadium construction.


Good god. I hope that information doesn't cause any more difficulties.


Maybe it'll be more low income housing to appease the NIMBYS. :D

That's it... I'm going on welfare.

[Krammerhead]

quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude


quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude


quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army


quote:Originally posted by VancouverDude

MANY people would travel for an hour or more to go see their club. People do it all the time for the nucks and lions giants, you name it.. if people WANT to go, they will get there.

Both the Lions and the Canucks are downtown. People outside of civilization will travel into civilization for events. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work the other way around.

Surrey would be a monumental disaster for the Whitecaps.


It's clear that he lives in Surrey and isn't thinking of the obvious.


Are you actually a soccer supporter or just a guy who likes to chew things on a message board? I am new here but having seen your posts around there is nothing but misery attached to it. You either hate soccer, love it and our miserable, or are just simply void of any positivity in your life. Which one is it?



You are the one that got on here all upset and snotty because I made a simple comment that I wouldn't be going to any games if a stadium was in Surrey. So that begs the question? Why are you so miserable with what I post here? Are the questions you ask above really questions you should be asking yourself? What is your agenda?


From what I read you dont go to games in Burnaby either, and wont go to games if they are downtown. Surrey is not the reason you wont go to a game.


You are correct. I don't go to games in Burnaby anymore. I did for many years, made every game during the bus strike years ago even though I don't drive and any southsider will tell you I was always one of the first in the southside before each game (not to mention I filled in and ran the southsiders website and discussion board for a few years). Hell I was even invited to the Whitecaps offices to talk about an upcoming season and to let me know where they were headed, so someone must have considered me a a worthwhie fan at one point.

The reasons I don't go are numerous but to put it in short form: There is that "minor league" circus atmosphere that surrounds the team (music during play for example that I don't like). This stuff has increased over the last few years (crowds at games haven't). Add to that the walks to the skytrain after matches listening to the snarky comments aimed my way by casual Whitecaps fans just because I'm decked out in my Whitecaps gear, flag, scarf etc. Then they decide to play horrible Lilleyball making it even less desirable to go to games. To top it off over on the southsiders board I was told by a person who was working for the Whitecaps after exercising my freedom of speech and making my displeasure know that they don't need me as a supporter. So I'm not.

[Richard]

So why do you continue to post here about the Whitecaps and express opinions if you have no interest in the club?

[Krammerhead]

quote:Originally posted by Richard

So why do you continue to post here about the Whitecaps and express opinions if you have no interest in the club?


Did I say I don't have any interest in the club? Seems to me an absurd conclusion to come to if I'm actually on here talking about them. I think I've probably watched more Whitecaps games this season than most people on this board-home and away via USL Live. Am I not allowed to post if I don't physically go to games? How about others here who post about the Whitecaps and don't go to games either? Is that a rule that applies only to myself? Plenty of others post here about the Whitecaps and they don't live in BC. Hell, some even post opinions from outside of the country. Should we question why they post and talk about the Whitecaps and express opinions on them when they aren't attending the games?

Why is is it that you (and others) seem to feel the need to question whether I should be posting here or not? What's it to you?

[Regs]

Richard probably thinks your posts are garbage. And, well, you know the rest.

:)

[Krammerhead]

Well he and a few others. I suppose contributions on Whitecaps affairs are unwanted here unless they fit a certain acceptable positive Whitecaps stance.:(

Imagine the hatred these people must have towards me if a simple honest comment about not going to games if a new stadium was built in Surrey, brings out this kind of hostility.

(..and yeah, I would start attending games in a new stadium in downtown Vancouver....Bob Lilley would probably be gone by that time).

[Jeffery S.]

Just want to say that the direction the Whitecaps are heading that Krammerhead describes also disturb me a lot, for me it demonstrates how totally lost they are. And I say that in spite of my differences with him, since we do agree that the team is badly run and poorly conceived, which is worse.

Anyone think that this management could handle an MLS team is cracked. They are stuck in an old way of thinking about soccer, and that is mostly Lenarduzzi's fault, he's a dinosaur.

By the way, I was supposed to be back for this last weekend, in the end did not work out, but had the Seattle game on my agenda. I would go to Swangard, but for me Surrey would also be a bit much, and anyone with kids on a long haul and having to think about getting home that much later would also have their doubts.

Put the stadium in the centre and families go downtown from the suburbs to shop and hang out and then go to the game. Much like you see BC Lions fans from Vancouver Island who come over on the fast ferry, they make a downtonwn Van experience of it. And you would even see that sort of crowd (yes, a mid island and Nanaimo crowd no less) at Whitecaps games if the stadium would just get built downtown.

[Free kick]

After the game on Sunday, I was talking to some people who went to Chicago on the bus trip as well as some Chicago Fire supporters who came up. None were thrilled with having that stadium located way out in burbs. Many stating that there was little to do around that area.


Yet, in a way, I can understand the thinking of why ( in the USA) you would want to stick these facilities way out in the suburbs. With Baseball around to capture the attention of the average americans in the summer, sports like pro soccer are really trying to carve out a niche. Building these facilties in the suburbs kind of makes sence if you look at in terms of business strategy because, among other factors, the land is cheaper than in downtown locales.

But i dont get that kind of thinking when it comes to canada. The game can be so much more than that here. Thats why a centrally located facility ( NOT in the burbs) is essental. I am certain that having a stadium in the city rather than the boonies is a very big reason why MLSEL were able to sell 14,000 season tickets. You guys might be better off in the long run without a stadium rather than one that is that poorly located and inconvenient.

[Richard]

quote:Originally posted by Regs

Richard probably thinks your posts are garbage. And, well, you know the rest.

:)
So amongst your many other skills you're now also a mind reader?

;)

[Richard]

quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:Originally posted by Richard

So why do you continue to post here about the Whitecaps and express opinions if you have no interest in the club?


Did I say I don't have any interest in the club? Seems to me an absurd conclusion to come to if I'm actually on here talking about them. I think I've probably watched more Whitecaps games this season than most people on this board-home and away via USL Live. Am I not allowed to post if I don't physically go to games? How about others here who post about the Whitecaps and don't go to games either? Is that a rule that applies only to myself? Plenty of others post here about the Whitecaps and they don't live in BC. Hell, some even post opinions from outside of the country. Should we question why they post and talk about the Whitecaps and express opinions on them when they aren't attending the games?

Why is is it that you (and others) seem to feel the need to question whether I should be posting here or not? What's it to you?


Not only because you don't attend games but because you are forever slagging the club and everything about them. If they're so awful why do you bother?

[Calgary Boomer]

I wonder if K-Head will do what a couple of other Southsiders have done, and actually work for the Whitecaps one day. If you can't beat em...

[Krammerhead]

quote:but because you are forever slagging the club and everything about them

You are always praising them and forever kissing their ass. To each his own.


quote:If they're so awful why do you bother?

Because I like telling it how I see it. Why do you continually praise all they do? What does it get you?


quote:I wonder if K-Head will do what a couple of other Southsiders have done, and actually work for the Whitecaps one day. If you can't beat em...

Well thats another way the Whitecaps have to cut down the Southsiders numbers. Once you work for the Whitecaps they forbid you from posting on the Southsiders board or from attending games in the southside.

[Calgary Boomer]

Alan Douglas works for the Whitecaps and he posts on the site.

And just out of curiosity...what does it "get you" by continually "telling it how you see it"? The reputation for being an a$$hole?

I'm guessing this is pretty much all you have in your life.

[Richard]

quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead


quote:but because you are forever slagging the club and everything about them

You are always praising them and forever kissing their ass. To each his own.


quote:If they're so awful why do you bother?

Because I like telling it how I see it. Why do you continually praise all they do? What does it get you?


quote:I wonder if K-Head will do what a couple of other Southsiders have done, and actually work for the Whitecaps one day. If you can't beat em...

Well thats another way the Whitecaps have to cut down the Southsiders numbers. Once you work for the Whitecaps they forbid you from posting on the Southsiders board or from attending games in the southside.
The mind boggles at how many misconceptions you labour under!

[vancanman]

It's time to build an island in Burrard inlet and have the sea bus stop there on the way on matchdays. How bloody stupid is city council? They claim they want this thing, but they keep saying something's approved, and then a few months later it has to be changed again. Inuvik's going to have a stadium before we will.

[Krammerhead]

quote:The mind boggles at how many misconceptions you labour under!

Misconceptions? There are ex-Whitecaps employees who have have said as much on the southsiders board.

[Richard]

Why do you think they're ex employees?

[Krammerhead]

quote:Originally posted by Richard

Why do you think they're ex employees?


Because they stated they were. Mentioned that they were not allowed to post on the southsiders board. There's also been one prominent Southsider of many years who this year was hired by the Whitecaps. Hasn't posted a single message this season on the southsiders board nor joined the southsiders during games. I know he's still around, he tried to flog me Whitecaps season tickets at the Canada-Scotland U-20 game in Coquitlam.

[Richard]

You missed my point by a country mile. There is no doubt a good reason why they are EX employees. Furthermore, it is not unusual for employees to be required not to discuss their employer's internal affairs in a public forum on pain of dismissal or worse. Indeed it is often written into the terms of employment or termination. Too easy for regular workers to say the wrong thing and get into trouble so best just to be quiet. There are very good reasons why organisations generally have designated spokesmen/women. Surely this is not beyond your experience or not a surprise for you to learn?

[ag futbol]

quote:Originally posted by Richard

There is no doubt a good reason why they are EX employees.

That's assuming quite a bit, no? Not everyone leaves their job because they were fired or are hell bent on getting even at their former employer.

I've never left a job in bad standing or with a grudge, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't have a criticism or two about the way some of the organizations run their businesses.

I'm not saying this to justify the extent of his criticism, but to point out that the souce can be discredited so easily.

[Richard]

Not assuming anything - everybody who changes jobs invariably does so for good reason.
But my point about not hanging out the employer's or even former employer's dirty laundry stands.

[Krammerhead]

quote: You missed my point by a country mile

Sure did. I'm tired, but now understand what you're saying. I don't know anything about the positions these guys had with the Whitecaps or why they left. I have no reason to think they are lying when they say they weren't allowed to post on the Southsiders board (good or bad). I still can't explain why a long time southsider who never had/has anything bad to say about the club gets hired by the caps and has to stop posting on the southsiders board or watch games from the southside.


quote:I'm not saying this to justify the extent of his criticism, but to point out that the souce can be discredited so easily.

There's no criticism aimed at anyone here. Merely pointed out in this thread thats been hijacked to pieces that the Whitecaps don't allow their employees to post on the southsider board.

By the way, the Whitecaps recently hired on of the most foulmouthed of the southsiders to run their website. The one and only webmaster of the Southsiders board himself.....Morbital.

[Regs]

That's funny if true. I wonder how Greg Kerfoot feels about hiring someone into his organisation who publicly refers to women as warm wet holes? Can't imagine he'll be too impressed once he finds out...

[Krammerhead]

quote:Originally posted by Regs

That's funny if true. I wonder how Greg Kerfoot feels about hiring someone into his organisation who publicly refers to women as warm wet holes? Can't imagine he'll be too impressed once he finds out...


It's true. Check out the webmaster email address on their page:

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/contact/

[Richard]

quote:Originally posted by Regs

That's funny if true. I wonder how Greg Kerfoot feels about hiring someone into his organisation who publicly refers to women as warm wet holes? Can't imagine he'll be too impressed once he finds out...
Hmmm... the person responsible for hiring a webmaster is a woman. He'd better watch his tongue now I imagine.

[Former Champ]

Well he killed off the Southsiders board. I wonder if he was in cahoots with brigadier brad....

[Krammerhead]

quote:Originally posted by Current Champ

Well he killed off the Southsiders board. I wonder if he was in cahoots with brigadier brad....


He may be now, the Southsiders website hasn't been updated since June 10th.

[piltdownman]

Why write about all the bad news since the June 11? We were still a good club at that time ;)

[Vancouver Fan]

Just to be clear, both employees are still Southsiders.Just like the ex employee in question,all 3 had(have ) made appearrances in the Southside and all 3 have(had)participated with singing,chanting and flag waving and noisemaking.

The webmaster is a young kid.He has matured over the past year and I suspect will continue to mature working with professional adults.

[VPjr]

quote:Originally posted by Thistle


quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army

Exactly right. Downtown stadium in Toronto = passionate fans, sold out stadium. A no-brainer, really.


Can't deny that, but with a city pop of 2.5 million and 5 million covering the GTA, filling a 25k stadium IS a no-brainer. It's still a novelty to the city but I agree that the 25k can be filled with nothing but football fanatics. By way of argument, though, how many of those fanatics use the GO train to get there?


sorry to join into this discussion so late and taking it off topic (although technically it might be putting it back on topic).

The westbound Lakeshore line for the Go Train was absolutely packed after Sunday's game vs. Galaxy. More and more people are taking the Go Train because it's cheaper than parking and the game schedules are timed so that when the game ends, you can get on a train home within 15-20 minutes. I only take the Go Train to games now after having driven to the first 3 games. way less stress.

A suburban stadium would be a decent fall back position as long as it is located physically at the train station. BMO Field is located literally 3 minutes from the Exhbition station. It takes longer to walk from the Ontario Place parking lot.

[speedmonk42]

quote:Originally posted by VPjr


quote:Originally posted by Thistle


quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army

Exactly right. Downtown stadium in Toronto = passionate fans, sold out stadium. A no-brainer, really.


Can't deny that, but with a city pop of 2.5 million and 5 million covering the GTA, filling a 25k stadium IS a no-brainer. It's still a novelty to the city but I agree that the 25k can be filled with nothing but football fanatics. By way of argument, though, how many of those fanatics use the GO train to get there?


sorry to join into this discussion so late and taking it off topic (although technically it might be putting it back on topic).

The westbound Lakeshore line for the Go Train was absolutely packed after Sunday's game vs. Galaxy. More and more people are taking the Go Train because it's cheaper than parking and the game schedules are timed so that when the game ends, you can get on a train home within 15-20 minutes. I only take the Go Train to games now after having driven to the first 3 games. way less stress.

A suburban stadium would be a decent fall back position as long as it is located physically at the train station. BMO Field is located literally 3 minutes from the Exhbition station. It takes longer to walk from the Ontario Place parking lot.



I agree. The Go-Train was packed. But it was also a lot of people who have now discovered the tunnel towards king st.

I for one walked on more than one occasion from UofT to the Stadium. It's just not that far.

[vancanman]

There's just something about taking a train to a match. Driving to a stadium just seems so NFL to me. A stadium downtown is the only way to go. All trains and buses are aimed at downtown. If I want to get to Surrey (if I'm crazy, for example) I have to go downtown first. A stadium in Surrey only makes sense if there is a Surrey team. This team is Vancouver, and that's where the stadium should be.

[Jarrek]

A lot of Toronto FC fans, including myself, take the GO Train to BMO Field.

Absolutely the best experience one could have. It's also great walking amongst turn of the century industrial buildings on the way to the pub or clubhouse, and even passing another holy grail for Canadian Soccer - Lamport Stadium or Stanley Park.

Well worth the $7.50 return fare ticket.

[CanadasBest]

quote:Originally posted by vancanman

There's just something about taking a train to a match. Driving to a stadium just seems so NFL to me. A stadium downtown is the only way to go. All trains and buses are aimed at downtown. If I want to get to Surrey (if I'm crazy, for example) I have to go downtown first. A stadium in Surrey only makes sense if there is a Surrey team. This team is Vancouver, and that's where the stadium should be.


Agreed. A Downtown stadium for me means season tickets and easy access to the stadium without driving. Surrey doesn't give the same luxury when you're coming from the island. (Not that a large majority of fans are coming from the island, but some will)