Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by csbvan

I'll miss seeing 55k at BC Place for the Caps. But this is necessary I suppose. Also, the downtown vibe of BC Place is tough to replace, oh well. Best fan base in the MLS, returning home to Boundary Road (ish).

It was an announcement of a formal MOU, so nothing we didn't really already know. Will be interesting to see where this leads, with a stadium and entertainment district. Possibility of the Lions being involved and I am sure there has to be a hotel, casino etc involved as well to make the finances work. Hopefully no taxpayer money.

https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/cit...acecourse-park

[northernlights99]

pic of 1963 Grey Cup game at old Empire Stadium.

Note how back then the field yardage was marked off every 5 yards as opposed to 10 yards today.

And the old H style rugby goalposts later changed to the current slingshot design.

Also note how far the seats are set back due to the running track. The end zone was 25 yards deep then so corners were cut off.

And those awful support columns holding up the roof, if you were unlucky to be sitting right behind a column blocking off your view.

It also appears the teams were on opposite sidelines back then so I guess later they changed to the current both teams being on same sidleline ?

This was the famous game where Angelo Mosca kicked Willie Fleming in the head almost leading to a riot. Hamilton won the Grey Cup right in Vancouver beating the Lions 21 to 10.

Interesting note the scoreboard on north end, the Export sign, cigarette ads were allowed then lol.

[blacktrojan3921]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

This is built where the current BC Lions training facility is. They have been looking at moving to a new updated facility, I wonder if this helps accelerate that? I think a top notch facility for practice and training goes a long way to the overall perception of the team with players (and potential free agents) and Amar Doman has been pushing for this so I think the Lions will do their part to make this happen. As far as a 10K arena in Surrey, its nice but they don't even have a full time tenant, wonder if the Vancouver Giants or Abby Canucks would move here?

My guess is that it's likely going to be the Vancouver Warriors of the National Lacrosse League, since they still play in Rogers Centre, even though the NLL is a minor league. It's also possible that the Goldeneyes of the PWHL will move in there, but they signed a lease for Pacific Coliseum, so that is unlikely.

[northernlights99]

pic of old Empire Stadium circa 1970, games were packed, CFL was really the only game in town then.

note the 400 m running track and how far it sets back the seats especially in the end zones; for soccer you're so far away from the goal. Shown are the old 25 yard end zones.

also note the newer slingshot design goal posts as opposed to old old H style.

That Roller Coaster really rocked ! built in 1958 and wooden, it was great watching games and hearing the screams of riders going down the hills.

One roller coaster fanatic set a World Record riding that Roller coaster continuously for 2 weeks. He apparently slept while riding it.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

as the new goalpost hole will have to be drilled 10 yards farther back on each end of field ( - 5 + 15 ), I assume the position of the ball catch netting will have to be adjusted also.

The new artificial turf in Edmonton is going to have goalpost holes for both the old and new CFL rules.

They started work in October 2025 and the AT has been uninstalled in the stadium (November 2025). Also drainage improvements will be part of this project.

The AT installation in the stadium will take place from December 2025 to the end of May 2026.

The AT will be laid to the current dimensions of a Canadian Football League field: 150 yards long, including two 20-yard end zones, and 65 yards wide. When the CFL switches AT dimensions in 2027 – which will see the regulation field shortened by two yards and the location of the goal posts moved from the goal-lines to the backs of the end zones – the 47-year-old stadium will retain goal-post spots in both places to accommodate both pro and amateur play,

[elly63]

From Telus Stadium at Université Laval in Québec to Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton:
GTR Turf's Synthetic Turf Technology Is Redefining The Standards of Canadian Football
GTR Turf Oct 21, 2025

EDMONTON, AB, Oct. 21, 2025 /CNW/ - The City of Edmonton has awarded GTR Turf, a Canadian leader in synthetic turf innovation for over 20 years, a contract worth more than $2 million to replace the playing surface at Commonwealth Stadium and the Field House at the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre.

Originally installed by GTR Turf in 2015, the current surface has provided a decade of exceptional performance and durability. This renewal marks another milestone in the City's long-term collaboration with GTR Turf, delivering a next-generation field designed for superior performance, durability, and athlete safety.

The new turf system combines Monofilament and Slit Film fibers, a hybrid technology engineered to deliver enhanced resilience, realism, and safety. Its anti-glare finish ensures a natural, vivid appearance for broadcast, setting a new visual standard in the CFL.

This same turf system is installed at TELUS Stadium at Université Laval in Québec City, recognized as the top football field in the U Sports circuit, and a benchmark for performance and realism in Canadian sport.

The current turf removal is scheduled for the first week of November 2025, with installation to follow shortly after, in time for the 2026 Edmonton Elks season. The project is delivered in collaboration with Vision Sports Design (Canada) and Wilco Contractors Northwest Inc., trusted partners committed to excellence in sports infrastructure.

The new field will meet FIFA Quality Pro and World Rugby certification standards, ensuring elite-level play, safety, and longevity.

"We are honored to continue our partnership with the City of Edmonton to modernize such an iconic facility as Commonwealth Stadium. This project reflects the strength of Canadian innovation and our commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and durability," said Luc Rochon, President and CEO at GTR Turf. "Following the success of TELUS Stadium in Québec City, we're proud to deliver another world-class field that will inspire the next generation of athletes."

[Airboy]

Yes the Commonwealth project is well underway.

And I believe they just redid the interior turf as well.

[IMG]PXL_20251202_180929290 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG]PXL_20251202_184330254 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/[/url], on Flickr[/IMG]

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Airboy

Yes the Commonwealth project is well underway. And I believe they just redid the interior turf as well.

Yes, the Field House was part of the $2 million contract.

[northernlights99]

hopefully they can restructure the end zone and bring the seats close to the dead line of the new field, it will require demolition of the current end zone, unfortunately its a curse if you build a track specific stadium but then just use the stadium mostly for field specific games

[northernlights99]

The AT will be laid to the current dimensions of a Canadian Football League field: 150 yards long, including two 20-yard end zones, and 65 yards wide. When the CFL switches AT dimensions in 2027 – which will see the regulation field shortened by two yards and the location of the goal posts moved from the goal-lines to the backs of the end zones – the 47-year-old stadium will retain goal-post spots in both places to accommodate both pro and amateur play,[/QUOTE]


No not 2 yards, the regulation field will be shortened by 10 yards and shortened by 20 yards including the end zones.

New field or not, the same problem persists with Commonwealth, Molson and Olympic Stadiums: the original running track sets back the seats and results in terrible sight lines.

I wonder if new ball catch nets will be installed behind the uprights in their new positions. BC Place used to use ball catch nets but in 2027 as the closest point on the field where FGs will be taken will be 5 yards farther back from first row of seats, they may be needed less often.

AT&T Stadium uses ball catch nets however the camera always shows the opposite end zone angle for FGs .

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by elly63

Yes, the Field House was part of the $2 million contract.

Lots of renovations on the boards. And some of it is much needed.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

It was an announcement of a formal MOU, so nothing we didn't really already know. Will be interesting to see where this leads, with a stadium and entertainment district. Possibility of the Lions being involved and I am sure there has to be a hotel, casino etc involved as well to make the finances work. Hopefully no taxpayer money.

https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/cit...acecourse-park

Like, I get Vancouver has more than enough people to support both a "soccer specific stadium" and BC Place, but isn't land also extremely scarce in the Lower Mainland? I'll never really get the whole "the stadium is too big for soccer line"... when really, it sounds like the MLS and CPL's tickets are too expensive if they have such a hard time filling up their stadiums.

Personally, I think it makes more sense for Vancouver to focus on upgrading BC place, and get real grass installed. It seems kinda ridiculous that Vancouver of all places doesn't have real grass at their football stadium.

Moreover, I think it makes more sense for Vancouver to build a new, MLB ready ballpark than build a new, Soccer specific stadium. Presently, Vancouver has an MLS team, a CPL team, and a CFL team, so building an entire stadium for an MLS that they already have just seems kind of wasteful to me.

I know Vancouver getting an MLB team is a bit of a long shot, but Vancouver is probably a more attractive expansion or relocation market to the MLB than Montreal if we're being honest. Building an MLB ballpark obviously would not be cheap, but Vancouver is a world class city with many ultra-rich residents and many corporate headquarters... I think going for a ballpark/ MLB team is a far more aspirational goal for the city than a smaller soccer stadium for their football club that already exists.

Though I guess while land is limited in Vancouver, there's still room for BC place, a new soccer stadium, and an MLB ballpark... I just can't help but find the idea of building a second, smaller soccer stadium for the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club to be wasteful/excessive.

[ericmacm]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Like, I get Vancouver has more than enough people to support both a "soccer specific stadium" and BC Place, but isn't land also extremely scarce in the Lower Mainland? I'll never really get the whole "the stadium is too big for soccer line"... when really, it sounds like the MLS and CPL's tickets are too expensive if they have such a hard time filling up their stadiums.

Personally, I think it makes more sense for Vancouver to focus on upgrading BC place, and get real grass installed. It seems kinda ridiculous that Vancouver of all places doesn't have real grass at their football stadium.

Moreover, I think it makes more sense for Vancouver to build a new, MLB ready ballpark than build a new, Soccer specific stadium. Presently, Vancouver has an MLS team, a CPL team, and a CFL team, so building an entire stadium for an MLS that they already have just seems kind of wasteful to me.

I know Vancouver getting an MLB team is a bit of a long shot, but Vancouver is probably a more attractive expansion or relocation market to the MLB than Montreal if we're being honest. Building an MLB ballpark obviously would not be cheap, but Vancouver is a world class city with many ultra-rich residents and many corporate headquarters... I think going for a ballpark/ MLB team is a far more aspirational goal for the city than a smaller soccer stadium for their football club that already exists.

Though I guess while land is limited in Vancouver, there's still room for BC place, a new soccer stadium, and an MLB ballpark... I just can't help but find the idea of building a second, smaller soccer stadium for the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club to be wasteful/excessive.

The primary reason the Whitecaps are pursuing a new stadium is due to a revenue issue. Their revenues are amongst the lowest in the MLS (they are losing money every year) and it is largely due to their agreement with PavCo in BC Place. A report had indicated that the Whitecaps only get 20% of gameday concession revenues which can make a huge difference on the financial side of things. They also don’t appear to appreciate being kicked out for FIFA 2026. Like it or not, money is the root of the sports business and a team losing money every year is bad business, especially given that the Whitecaps were #7 in the league for attendance in 2024.

The big question now is whether or not the Lions will join the Whitecaps in this initiative. That would have huge implications for BC Place and PavCo if they end up tenantless.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by ericmacm

TThe big question now is whether or not the Lions will join the Whitecaps in this initiative.

They have been involved and aside from his own resources, Doman brings a lot of useful connections to the table. Whether the Lions stay involved will remain to be seen.

It's still a while away. I've found it usually takes about eight years from the first serious drawing to stadium completion. The Riders did it in a little less. The actual construction is usually two and a half years.

[MalcolmTucker]

IMO it is entirely turning the screws on PavCo and the provincial Ministers that control it.

The province is renovating BC Place right now and the end result could be no tenants. That certainly would make them look dumb. A hundred million or two for a fancy real grass deployable field system looks pretty economical compared to building a new stadium far away from transit.

Figuring out how to manage boxes and concessions too. Probably makes sense to hand over a lease for concessions to the Lions and White Caps, and they manage that part of BC place. Basically reverse the deal: PavCo gets a bit of rent plus a revenue share.

[craner]

Why would the Whitecaps want to move back outside ?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by craner

Why would the Whitecaps want to move back outside ?

To control their revenues (concessions) and get better ticket scarcity (less seats) and better seating arrangements ie closer to field

[craner]

In a cold rain ?

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by logan5

I get a lot of negative reaction for saying this, but there is a path for the NFL in the 3 major markets. The stadiums in place now would be adequate. Maybe not what the NFL would like ideally, but you would be coming into a 40 million population market. Vancouver/Victoria is the 21st largest TV market in the US/Canada, in the same tier as Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, so we are a decent sized local market. Being in Canada, you would also have an extended market, similar to the Blue Jays and Raptors.

The price would be high, so the solution to that is to put together an ownership group.

Not saying that I hope the CFL folds, but if it does, imo there is a more realistic path to the NFL than what most people think.

The only place the NFL would seriously consider in Canada, would be Toronto, and the Skydome is in no way adequate for NFL. Unfortunately, Toronto would have to build a completely new stadium, as almost every NFL team has moved away from dual purpose stadiums (football and baseball), to football only venues.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by craner

In a cold rain ?

Then why do you think they want out of where they are?