I'm sure you've heard a lot of public outcry regarding the whole Queen's Park Stadium renovation proposal. I wish to lend my voice to the side in favour of this expediting of the city's plans for Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Queen's Park is the centre of much interest of late. The city has been formulating plans to upgrade the aging infrastructure and amenities for some time now. One particular item on the list is Queen's Park Stadium, the subject of a great debate these past few weeks. The old concrete structure, originally intended for high-level sport, is beloved by locals but in need of structural upgrades. The baseball diamond it encompasses is used regularly, but the grandstand itself, "was underused" and would require "a good deal of work to upgrade" (from Queen's Park Master Plan). One possible outcome that the master plan suggests is demolishing the structure entirely. That was unless "higher-level play can be found to use the facility."
Through businessman and New Westminster resident Gary Pooni, Vancouver Whitecaps FC were introduced to the city council. It just so happens that the Whitecaps wish to field a lower-division, professional men's soccer team - it also just so happens that New Westminster owns a largely under-utilized stadium in a prime location. If the Whitecaps were to sign a long-term lease agreement with the city, on the condition that the renovations get underway sooner than previously planned, they'd sign on the dotted line and the city would have a welcome source of revenue to pay for the costly park upgrades. Plus, on top of that, residents wouldn't lose the historic Queen's Park Stadium to a wrecking ball.
One consequence of this plan is the displacement of youth baseball that is currently played at Queen's Park Stadium. This is truly unfortunate but does not spell the end-times for the sport of baseball in New Westminster, as some people foretell. A stadium that seats nearly 2,000 people has proven to be unnecessary for youth baseball. The city promises a new diamond, with bleachers and lights, would be built to accommodate the needs of Little League baseball.
Queen's Park Stadium is, and always was, a stadium built with the intent of hosting high-level sport. As no professional baseball team is likely to turn up any time soon, it would be up to the taxpayers of the city to fund ongoing and costly structural repairs for a building that is only filled once per year for May Day. Either that, or pay for the demolition and replacement of the structure, which although prudent, is not favourable as there is a strong community attachment to the building.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC would not be the only beneficiaries of these proposed upgrades to the stadium, though. In fact, it would be outright illegal for the city to do this. Existing community events that have previously taken place at the stadium can and would continue, with the added bonus of increased seating capacity and better facilities. Also, Royal City Youth Soccer will gain an additional field, next-door to the stadium, on which to practise and play.
The good soundly outweighs the bad in this equation. The residents of New Westminster would have a local, competitive sports team to rally behind; the baseball community would have a brand new diamond that's more appropriate for their needs, and the city would find a much-needed source of revenue to help pay for the costly renovations that the park needs.
On top of all that, visiting soccer teams from around North America, and their fans back home, will see our city shine on a continental stage.
There are hurdles, such as parking requirements, transportation, and terms of the Whitecaps' lease which still need to be revealed, but surely the end result of these upgrades would provide the community with much greater benefits than the current status quo, which could see the historic stadium being demolished, or face regular patchwork upgrades which would serve only to placate a small group of residents on everyone else's dime.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC could make a great neighbour in our community. High-level, professional soccer has the potential to unite and highlight New Westminster's diverse population.
To the City of New Westminster: this is an opportunity that you can't pass by, as it may never come again.
Steven Kavanagh, New Westminster
