Frank Bucholtz - Peace Arch News

Frank Bucholtz is a lifelong Surrey resident. He has worked as a reporter and editor at Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley community newspapers for 29 years, and currently is editor of the Langley Times.

Surrey needs stadium

By Frank Bucholtz - Peace Arch News - May 01, 2008

If Vancouver doesn’t want to be home to the Whitecaps soccer franchise, Surrey should make an offer to become the team’s home.

OK, it’s a bit of a long shot. Yet it may be worth considering.

Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot has offered to build, at his own expense, a 15,000-seat outdoor stadium adjacent to the Seabus terminal on the Vancouver waterfront. This offer was made two years ago, but it remains mired in red tape at two levels of government.

The City of Vancouver has come up with a number of conditions.

While the Whitecaps have strived to meet them, the city has yet to give its blessing. Meanwhile, the federal government through the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is also balking – claiming that the land in question is needed for waterfront industry.

Former Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell, who is now a Liberal senator, is trying to cut through the red tape. Campbell, when he was mayor, said city residents needed to have more fun and he’s following through on that principle.

Whether his efforts on behalf of the Whitecaps will be successful remains to be seen.

Here’s why Surrey could have a good shot at hosting the team.

First, we’re on SkyTrain. No major sports franchise is going to locate away from public transit, as it such an easy way for large numbers of people to get to games.

Second, the B.C. Lions already have a practice facility in Whalley.

It might be a possible stadium site, if enough additional land could be assembled.

The Lions might be interested in playing games at an outdoor stadium, but they would ideally like at least 30,000 seats. The Whitecaps plan to expand their stadium to 30,000 eventually.

Third, Surrey has a huge number of soccer fans. Soccer is the biggest single sport in Surrey, with numerous teams in all age groups. Any pro soccer team that located here would have a built-in base of support that at least rivals Vancouver’s.

A fourth reason that the Whitecaps should think about Surrey is this. Council wants to revitalize Whalley, A large stadium that attracts people from outside the city would play a major role in doing so.

Surrey council would not be as difficult as Vancouver’s has been – I think the city would go out of its way to smooth things for the Whitecaps if officials felt there was legitimate interest in coming to Surrey.

A Whalley location would also provide some spectacular views.

They wouldn’t be quite as spectacular as those offered in a stadium along Burrard Inlet, but on a clear day, there is a great mountain view from Whalley.

Timing is critical for the Whitecaps. A new stadium, which would host both the men’s and women’s teams, must be built soon.

The Whitecaps men’s team competes in the United Soccer Leagues first division, a level below Major League Soccer.

Their competitors Montreal Impact are making a bid to move up to MLS, now that there is a new soccer stadium in Montreal. Toronto FC joined the MLS last year, and play at BMO Field, a new soccer stadium on the CNE grounds.

I attended a Toronto game last summer, and was blown away by the atmosphere at the game, and the wonderful sight lines.

Every single TFC game last season was sold out – despite a poor on-field record. They can’t sell any more season tickets. The only way to get tickets is from someone who wants to sell – and tickets are going for premium prices this year.

The Whitecaps need to be in MLS. That’s where the best players in North American leagues are playing. A Whitecaps entry in MLS would immediately mean a great rivalry with Toronto and Montreal, and with their longtime rival the Seattle Sounders, who are making the jump to MLS in 2009.

The Sounders already have deposits from 14,000 potential season ticket holders.

There are enough soccer fans in the Vancouver area to ensure that an MLS soccer franchise would be an instant success.

The loyalty of fans to the old North American Soccer League’s Whitecaps more than 20 years ago proves that.

An outdoor stadium in Surrey (most likely Whalley) would be a huge benefit for this city. It’s an idea worth looking into.

Frank Bucholtz writes Fridays for the Peace Arch News. He is the editor of the Langley Times.

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Surrey needs stadium

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