Royal City Record September 5 2014 by New West Record

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

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INSIDE TODAY: Theatre not for the squeamish P11

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NEWS,

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‘WITHOUT FANS COMING OUT … THE STADIUM MIGHT GO THE WAY OF THE BUFFALO’ – DAVID BRETT

Soccer plan would save the stadium City groups rally behind professional soccer proposal BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com

Queen’s Park Stadium could “go the way of the buffalo” without more fans in the stands. That’s the fear of David Brett, president of the Queen’s Park Residents’ Association, who joined representatives from the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce and Royal City Youth Soccer at a press conference Wednesday in support of a proposal that would see the stadium refurbished and used by a pro soccer team affiliated with the Vancouver Whitecaps. “Personally, I believe that continuing the stadium in its current use is one way to ensure that it may be demolished in the future,” he said. “The playing surface is for the players, but the stadium is for the fans. Without fans coming out to occupy the stadium, I think the stadium might go the way of the buffalo eventually.” Brett said the majority of residents he’s spoken to about the proposal are excited about the prospect of the Whitecaps bringing an USL team to Queen’s Park. “It is seen as a real valued neighbourhood amenity to be able to walk to highprofile, high-calibre sporting events like the New Westminster Salmonbellies, and now, possibly, soccer,” he said. “Many residents have withheld their support because they still have valid questions, such as the precise economic details of the proposal. However, I would put in the minority camp the people who are adamantly opposed.” Brett said all residents are unified on their desire to see issues of traffic, parking and access for youth sports addressed. He said there is “a little bit of confusion” among some residents” – due in part to the presence of Save Queen’s Park Stadium signs displayed in the community – who think the proposal means the stadium would be bulldozed, rather than refurbished. Brett said the residents’ association has tried to get the word out about the proposal to its members and encourage them to attend consultation sessions. “We put to a vote the question, ‘Do

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Getting support: Whitecaps CEO and president Bob Lenarduzzi ﬁelds media questions following a Wednesday press conference by three groups who have come out in support of a pro soccer plan for Queen’s Park Stadium. A press conference came a week after more than 20 residents voiced concern about the proposal at a city council meeting last week. you support the Whitecaps USL pro soccer proposal?’ Fifty-eight per cent of respondents to the poll said yes,” he said. “On a personal note, when I see a couple of wellknown entrepreneurs and a well-respected sports franchise wanting to locate in New Westminster, I think that is a sign that the Royal City is on the rise and it’s very encouraging.” In addition to the current Whitecaps FC ownership group, the franchise will be co-owned and operated by Ian Gillespie of Westbank Projects Corp. and New Westminster native Gary Pooni of Brook Pooni Associates. More than 20 residents attended the Aug. 25 council meeting to express concern

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about the timeline for making a decision, as well as the community and economic impacts of the proposal. On July 8, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the City of New Westminster held a press conference to announce they had signed a memorandum of understanding to work toward launching a United Soccer Leagues PRO franchise in New Westminster. The Whitecaps are working to a Sept. 15 deadline from the USL to put in their application, a timeline that would allow the club to launch its first season in March 2015 at Queen’s Park Stadium. The chamber, the residents’ association and the soccer club held a press conference at Queen’s Park on Sept. 3 to declare their

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support for the plan. Jamie Woods, a director with the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce, said businesses are excited about the prospect of having a revenue source to fund repairs to Queen’s Park Stadium, that have been needed for some time, and having a fun family outing on game days. Businesses also indicated they expect the City of New Westminster to accommodate New West baseball elsewhere in the city with a field of similar design. The New Westminster Chamber of Commerce’s board has also considered the proposal and support it, conditional on the

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