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Soccer plan strikes out with baseball Proposal would see Queen’s Park Stadium become home to pro soccer league
Play ball: Ron Suffron, left, president of New West Baseball, and his group have serious concerns about how a proposal to transform Queen’s Park Stadium into a dedicated soccer venue for a United Soccer Leagues PRO franchise will impact local baseball. At right is Brandon Howell, who plays on the New Westminster Twins.
BY NIKI HOPE REPORTER
nhope@royalcityrecord.com
New West Baseball has come out swinging against a proposal to transform Queen’s Park Stadium into a dedicated soccer venue that would become the home pitch for a United Soccer Leagues PRO franchise. Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the City of New Westminster have signed a memorandum of understanding marking their intent to look into the feasibility of launching the league – a U.S. men’s professional soccer league that is just below and supports Major League Soccer – in New West. But for Ron Suffron, president of New West Baseball, the offer might be “sexy,” but it’s not sensible. “They are pushing this thing through for a private enterprise without knowing what it’s going to cost (the city),” Suffron said. “If we have to move out because of the Whitecaps, the Whitecaps should have to foot the bill, that’s the bottom line, without unloading it onto the taxpayer.” Queen’s Park Stadium is one of a few fields that can accommodate evening games – an important factor in older youth sports and tournament play. It is also the only venue that can support evening skills training for the group’s Little League and B.C. Minor baseball players, according to New West Baseball. As well, the organization has raised approximately $60,000 to make upgrades to the field, Suffron said. “There’s a lot of kids that look up to that place as a place to play, and that’s their field of dreams,” Suffron said. “I think that’s a really good thing for the city to invest in their kids, and that’s money that you can’t put a price tag on.” Suffron said he received a supportive email from Major League Baseball all-star player Justin Morneau, who honed his skills playing ball as a youngster in New Westminster. The main concern for Suffron and others in New West Baseball is that they will be pushed out to make room for the soccer field.
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But Dean Gibson, the City of New Park Stadium) or in Upper Hume Park. But Suffron said if New West Baseball Westminster’s director of parks, culture and recreation, said the city contacted New is moved it will impact groups currently using the field. West Baseball even before the “So there’s a trickle down proposal was announced and effect that affects everybody,” wants to work with the group he said. to find a suitable alternative, if “They are pushHe also questioned the cost the proposal goes through. of the plan to build the soccer “If there is some alternative ing this thing field and update the replacethat we need to look at to supthrough for a ment fields for baseball. port baseball’s interest, we are “This is going to cost a lot of willing to do that,” Gibson said. private entermoney, a lot of money, millions “Certainly anytime we do any prise without of dollars from what I underprojects of any significance … stand,” he said. “I’m not sure we work with all of our stake- knowing what the local taxpayers are going holder groups. We have met with all of our community sport it’s going to cost to have a chance to voice their view on this, so we are going to groups throughout the last sev- (the city).” have to give them a voice.” eral weeks to talk about the proGibson said he doesn’t have posal – where the opportunities RON SUFFRON a “complete answer” at this are, what the impacts might President, New West point on what it will cost the be and have taken information Baseball city to re-purpose the field and from them.” host the club. The city is looking into the “We are in that work right now,” he said. possibility of building a new baseball field either in Queen’s Park (behind the Queen’s “That is what our due diligence period is,
and we will be reporting all of that out through city council.” In addition to the current Whitecaps FC ownership group, the proposed USL PRO franchise will be co-owned and operated by Ian Gillespie of Westbank Projects Corp. and New Westminster-native Gary Pooni of Brook Pooni Associates, according to the Whitecaps website. Their goal is to start the new league franchise for the next season, which starts in March 2015. In order to meet the deadline, they need to have a commitment from the city by midSeptember. The city is also reviewing the benefits of hosting the soccer league and having the field, which has the support of Royal City Youth Soccer Club. “Another piece of our work is doing an impact study that talks about (it) both from a financial, social and community development perspective,” Gibson said. New West Baseball plans to rally against the proposed changes to Queen’s Park Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at the stadium.
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