By RYAN TOLMICH
The world of professional soccer in Vancouver is about to undergo a major facelift.
The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Friday that the club is set to become the seventh MLS side to own and operate a USL Pro franchise with the creation of Whitecaps FC 2, who will begin play in 2015. In addition, the club also revealed plans for the National Soccer Development Centre, where WFC2 will play home matches.
“Today marks another important milestone for our club and another step forward in our partnership with UBC,” Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to be launching our USL PRO team at UBC. We have many talented young players at our club, including nine Residency products who recently did very well internationally with our Canadian U-20 men’s national team.
“WFC2 will allow them to continue their development against quality competition, including our fellow Cascadia rivals from Seattle and Portland. Along with the renderings of our new training facility, we have a clear view into our future. These initiatives will provide a positive impact and lasting legacy for Whitecaps FC, Canadian soccer, UBC, and the community at large.”
The training center, which has been in development since 2012, will feature a state of the fieldhouse which is set to be completed ahead of the 2017 MLS season. In addition to the 35,000 square foot fieldhouse, the facility will also include five fields to be used by the Whitecaps and the University of British Columbia.
“This world-class facility will be a hub of community activity for recreational, competitive and professional soccer players,” said Coralee Oakes, minister of community, sport and cultural development. “The center will also be a tremendous draw for future hosting opportunities at a time when sport tourism is the fastest growing segment of B.C.’s tourism industry.”
Have a look at renderings of the facility below:
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What do you think of the Whitecaps’ move into USL Pro? What do you think of the new facility plans? Share your thoughts below.
Great rendering. Smart to include the gridiron field, so the kids can get used to playing on those lines….
I forgot to ask this, which other Canadian city or cities have a future in MLS, like Ottawa, Edmonton, Quebec, Winnipeg. I always thought MLS would relocate Columbus or chivas to a Canadian city.
I have a question for all soccer Canadians, which is a better soccer market, Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver and why doesn’t the super rich owner of whitecaps makes whitecaps their water front stadium.
Well, doesn’t whitecaps, tfc and Montreal have one of the best owners in the league, in terms of money and none of them have top dps or stadium, except tfc stepping up this year with players and stadium renovations.
Jeez, could you at least pick an attractive site for the complex?
*wink*
Canadian clubs are stepping their game up. More us clubs need to follow suit
Yeah but Canada needs this badly right now, way more than the U.S. They need an entire overhaul, and a national center for youth soccer will help tremendously. A centralized location where they can align everything with their mission statements, vision, etc. The U.S. is far along than Canada. If I’m not mistaken, we have a similar type of location near Sporting Park, don’t we? Unless there were just talks of it.
think it will be finished in a couple years