Calgary to launch bid for NASL team

[shermanator]

According to this article, looks like there are some folks in Calgary who are looking to launch a bid for an NASL team. There is a long way to go, and playing at McMahon is really not the best option, but it's a start for those in Calgary who are deprived of professional soccer.

Thoughts on this?

http://the11.ca/2013/04/17/petrone-l...gary-nasl-bid/

Dec 3 2014 update - Calgary is launching a PDL team

http://www.uslpdl.com/scripts/runisa...NDX+NDX+850180

[Addick]

I'd prefer if we started in the PDL and built up but, to be honest, I'd be happy just to be able to go to a football match in Calgary.

[polak]

I'd prefer we jumped right into the MLS. This isn't Europe where you can build up a team. Vancouver and Montreal would've gotten a team regardless of the NASL teams.

But, I don't see the MLS coming to Calgary through expansion so this is the best way.

[Puppet Guy]

Bring back the Boomers!

[Mango]

Hmm. Watching the Calgary Mustangs play at McMahon a few years back was rough. I think they were the only USL team with a turf home field. You could tell the players couldn't adjust to the ball's bounce and movement. However, that was in 2004 and more cities use turf facilities now, so players are likely more acclimated to it.

I actually enjoyed watching the Calgary Storm play on the grass field at Foothills Athletic Park. It was maintained nicely. Although it was a small facility, the sightlines were fantastic.

This news is definitely a step in the right direction. I'm looking forward to see what comes of it all.

[Ozy_Flame]

Not surprised. I think Calgary is long overdue for a team in the same league as Edmonton. We have the size to support it, it is the most widely played sport in the city, and we have a diverse enough population to support a team. Also, Canada recently hosted the U-17 World Cup and are hosting the 2015 Women's World Cup. Seeing as how Calgary is also a sports training mecca (WinSport, U of C), there is no surprise here.

I predict an MLS team in 10-20 years.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by polak

I'd prefer we jumped right into the MLS. This isn't Europe where you can build up a team. Vancouver and Montreal would've gotten a team regardless of the NASL teams.

But, I don't see the MLS coming to Calgary through expansion so this is the best way.

Vancouver and Montreal were proven markets because of the NASL, and were prepared to build MLS quality stadiums.

Calgary doesn't have a stadium, and has never proven to have any interest in soccer. If you want an MLS team some day in Calgary, I imagine having a successful lower league team is very important.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Tear McMahon to the ground and build a new stadium on that site - similar to what Hamilton is doing this year. Make it a duel purpose football, soccer stadium.

When/if we get a NASL/MSL team I will be getting season tickets without a doubt

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by polak

I'd prefer we jumped right into the MLS. This isn't Europe where you can build up a team. Vancouver and Montreal would've gotten a team regardless of the NASL teams.

But, I don't see the MLS coming to Calgary through expansion so this is the best way.

MLS is not expanding to Canada anytime soon, the Commissioner said that during the season opener in Vancouver. Calgary needs to start small, and build at the lower divisions. Plus, we have an arena to build first before any football / soccer stadiums factor in to the discussion.

Not that you'd go anyways, with how much you bash Canadian soccer as being inferior.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Mango

Hmm. Watching the Calgary Mustangs play at McMahon a few years back was rough. I think they were the only USL team with a turf home field. You could tell the players couldn't adjust to the ball's bounce and movement. However, that was in 2004 and more cities use turf facilities now, so players are likely more acclimated to it.

I actually enjoyed watching the Calgary Storm play on the grass field at Foothills Athletic Park. It was maintained nicely. Although it was a small facility, the sightlines were fantastic.

This news is definitely a step in the right direction. I'm looking forward to see what comes of it all.

If that indoor fieldhouse that's been discussed is built, I'd like to see the Foothills track torn down and rebuilt as a 5000 seat stadium. Not sure if there's room for it.

[Ozy_Flame]

Good grief I just realized that Moncton is one of the six venues hosting the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

If Moncton of all places gets chosen for this, Calgary NEEDS to build a soccer facility / stadium ASAP.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Good grief I just realized that Moncton is one of the six venues hosting the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

If Moncton of all places gets chosen for this, Calgary NEEDS to build a soccer facility / stadium ASAP.

It seems that the idea of publicly funding an arena, even partially, is not palatable to a lot of Calgarians, I can't imagine there would be any interest in financing a soccer stadium.

McMahon is a perfectly acceptable football stadium, although it does need some renovating. It seems that people calling for an entirely new football stadium are out of touch with what most football stadiums are like and with the economic reality of a CFL franchise versus the NFL.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by valo403

It seems that the idea of publicly funding an arena, even partially, is not palatable to a lot of Calgarians, I can't imagine there would be any interest in financing a soccer stadium.

McMahon is a perfectly acceptable football stadium, although it does need some renovating. It seems that people calling for an entirely new football stadium are out of touch with what most football stadiums are like and with the economic reality of a CFL franchise versus the NFL.

I disagree. The concourse is way too small, bathrooms are few and far between as well as being too small. The seating area needs to be updated. McMahon is already far behind most other CFL stadiums as far as quality and that's before those other cities get their new, shiny stadiums in the next 5 years or so. I personally think we need a replacement for McMahon long before one for the Saddledome. Especially if Calgary wants a soccer team.

Winnipeg, Regina, Hamilton, are all getting new football stadiums. There is no reason why Calgary should not have an equally nice, new stadium.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

I disagree. The concourse is way too small, bathrooms are few and far between as well as being too small. The seating area needs to be updated. McMahon is already far behind most other CFL stadiums as far as quality and that's before those other cities get their new, shiny stadiums in the next 5 years or so. I personally think we need a replacement for McMahon long before one for the Saddledome. Especially if Calgary wants a soccer team.

Winnipeg, Regina, Hamilton, are all getting new football stadiums. There is no reason why Calgary should not have an equally nice, new stadium.

Concourse and bathroom renovations are certainly needed and the seating area could be updated, but any calls for a 'shiny' stadium are completely out of whack with what actual football stadiums are like. This is a venue that will be used 10-12 times a year (at least in a manner anywhere near capacity) in a league that has a $4.5mil salary cap.

Winnipeg, Regina and Hamilton are replacing dilapidated stadiums that simply could no longer function, McMahon isn't anywhere near that. With the above renovations it would be on par with the vast majority of football stadiums in North America.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by polak

I'd prefer we jumped right into the MLS. This isn't Europe where you can build up a team. Vancouver and Montreal would've gotten a team regardless of the NASL teams.

Building up a club is immensely helpful when running a professional club and essential for sustainability. Montreal and Vancouver have benefited from having an established player-base while Portland and Seattle are benefiting from the strong fan-base they have grown over the years. While Toronto may have had strong support from the go, look at how they struggled due to a lack of depth. Although they are starting to field graduates from their academy, imagine how productive it would have been if it started a decade earlier.

Originally Posted by Mango

I actually enjoyed watching the Calgary Storm play on the grass field at Foothills Athletic Park. It was maintained nicely. Although it was a small facility, the sightlines were fantastic.

I definitely enjoyed the afternoons and evenings I spent watching matches at Foothills.

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Tear McMahon to the ground and build a new stadium on that site - similar to what Hamilton is doing this year. Make it a duel purpose football, soccer stadium.

Not to be mean but that is a terrible idea. Hamilton's stadium looks incredibly cheap and multi-sport stadiums are usually awkward for at least one set of fans. This would probably be exasperated in Calgary as the Stamps could fill a stadium larger than what even the more popular MLS clubs could; there would be a size miss-match.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by Addick

Not to be mean but that is a terrible idea. Hamilton's stadium looks incredibly cheap and multi-sport stadiums are usually awkward for at least one set of fans. This would probably be exasperated in Calgary as the Stamps could fill a stadium larger than what even the more popular MLS clubs could; there would be a size miss-match.

That's a fair point. Myself, I'd look to Vancouver to see what could be improved upon there. As well, if there was going to be a new stadium built in Calgary I hope they would eliminate 7000-8000 seats and bring them closer to the field.

Perhaps the best bet would be a slight renovation over at Hellard field as a NASL team gained some traction and then decide if a duel purpose stadium makes sense or a smaller stand alone stadium.

Either way, I want to see professional soccer back in Calgary

[Tyler]

We're most likely getting an entirely new arena/stadium entertainment districts in the next 5 years. Just wait for the announcement by the Flames once the season and playoffs are over

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Tyler

We're most likely getting an entirely new arena/stadium entertainment districts in the next 5 years. Just wait for the announcement by the Flames once the season and playoffs are over

Yup. Pretty sure Flames LP are going to be in favour of a new stadium. MacMahon is old and aging and serves one purpose - football. I expect a smaller, soccer-only stadium/facility to come to fruition within the next 10 years, likely sooner.

[sevenarms]

Originally Posted by shermanator

If that indoor fieldhouse that's been discussed is built, I'd like to see the Foothills track torn down and rebuilt as a 5000 seat stadium. Not sure if there's room for it.

Foothills track isn't going anywhere especially with all the reno's they put in for the National Track & Field Championships. If they're going to build a small soccer stadium it would probably be on the Burns Stadium site or even a renovation of Burns Stadium itself.

[Locke]

Gotta start somewhere.