The Olympic Stadium in London for the 2012 Summer Games
Following the announcement that Surrey would host the 2012 BC Summer Games, dialogue began about the lack of a major stadium in the city. At the time, a number of elected officials, from all levels of government, were apparently discussing options for such a facility.
Now, information has been received that the City has continued these conversations and is studying various options for a stadium. According to staff, the City has been working out potential locations for a “spectator arena” in the City Centre. The project may involve land acquisition and they are investigating a number of delivery models for such a facility. The estimated capacity would be 10,000 people, making the arena larger than both the Langley Events Centre (5200) and the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (7000).
The City had previously been pursuing the development of a 5500 seat spectator arena as part of the redevelopment of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. That facility was expected to replace the existing ice arena and be part of a new trade and convention centre. The Fairgrounds plan has been left untouched since 2007. The City has since redirected its efforts and resources into building the City Centre, a site much more suitable for such a facility.
10K is a good number, but I would hope any stadium is planned with the possibility of future expansion in mind. One never knows what the next 20 years will bring to such an up-and-coming city.
I agree, it should be built with either future expansion in mind, or in an area with other venues. (ie Seattle Center or PNE grounds).
I think a great place to put it would be down along Scott Rd where all the Auto Wreckers used to be. At one point there was talks of the PNE moving there and it was a shame it never happened, putting a stadium down there may help clean up the area. Especially all the truck parking that has popped up down there in the past year!
It will be close to the new South Perimeter Road, Scott Road Skytrain and the new bridge that will hopefully be coming one day soon.