VANCOUVER, B.C. – While Vancouver Whitecaps FC wait for renovations to their permanent home to be completed, they’re playing almost their entire 2011 debut season at a facility that was built in 111 days – and will be razed to the ground as soon as it’s done serving its purpose.
That’s an ideal solution for some other MLS teams, too, according to Don Garber.
The MLS Commissioner told reporters during halftime of the Vancouver-Toronto FC match at Empire Field on Saturday that the league has explored temporary-stadium solutions for clubs that are struggling to get their own soccer-specific stadiums built. And the successful launch of the ‘Caps’ temporary home is an excellent example.
Empire Field (above) was constructed in less than four months at a $14.5 million price tag by Swiss engineering firm Nüssli AG, which has erected similar modular structures in a number of countries including Germany, Austria and Australia.
The firm was contracted by the owners of the BC Place stadium – the permanent home of both the Whitecaps and the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions – which is undergoing a half-billion-dollar renovation scheduled to be complete by September.
Garber admitted on Saturday that the league has spoken with Nüssli about similar short-term solutions for other MLS teams.
“There are a handful of markets in the US where we need a stadium solution,” Garber said. “We’ve talked to this company about perhaps helping us out in a handful of markets. I think it would be terrific to get a concept like this in places where we’re struggling to get a soccer stadium solution.”
Temporary stadiums could benefit both possible expansion teams and MLS clubs currently working on finding permanent homes. D.C. United, who have been at aging RFK Stadium since the club's inception in 1996, have spent recent years trying to find the right permanent solution, while the San Jose Earthquakes and New England Revolution continue their quests to build their own soccer-specific stadiums.
Despite its ephemeral status, Empire Field is a full-service stadium that can seat as many as 27,500 fans. It features seat shells for 20,000 attendees; dual grandstands topped by steel-clad, metal-framed roofs; broadcast booths and 12 luxury boxes; and dual scoreboards and a 16-foot-by-28-foot video replay board.
The facility is ringed by 10 concession stands, 15 restroom trailers, two souvenir shops and both home- and visiting-team locker rooms and facilities in trailers.
The stadium was completed last June and will be torn down when the Whitecaps and Lions move into BC Place this fall and the grounds will revert to being a community field.
