MLS commissioner says B.C. Place not 'viable' for the Whitecaps, reigniting debate over team's future
Speaking to reporters at the MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas this week, Garber said the Whitecaps urgently need a new stadium not only to resolve scheduling conflicts but also to help secure the team's future in Vancouver as its ownership group prepares to sell the football club.
"We have no plans to move the Vancouver Whitecaps," Garber told reporters. "But right now they don't have a viable stadium situation and they need one."
Garber pointed to scheduling problems, including the team being forced to play a home playoff match in Portland, Ore. last year and the limited availability of B.C. Place during preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"We get 17 days where we can play our games and that's it?" Garber said. "We don't have any flexibility, including what happened with their playoff game last year."
But B.C. Place's owner and operator Pavillion Corporation (PavCo) — a Crown corporation — is pushing back, calling Garber's claims a "misrepresentation."
PavCo says it offers alternate dates for consideration when scheduling conflicts arise, but those options must be approved by both the team and the league.
According to PavCo, when conflict arose last year with the booking during the playoffs, it accommodated a revised date that would have allowed the match to take place just one day earlier.
"Unfortunately, the proposed solution was not approved by MLS, and the Whitecaps were required to play the match on the road," the operator said in a statement to CBC News.
"On average, 40+ days are made available each year for the Whitecaps," the statement said, adding that in addition to the team's 17 regular-season matches, the club receives 15 to 20 further calendar holds to support playoffs, tournaments, and other events.
WATCH | Whitecaps owners to sell club:
Vancouver Whitecaps FC owners prepare to sell club
7 months ago
That figure does not include practice sessions or media activities, which often take place the day before games.
B.C. Place says the Whitecaps have played 23 to 24 matches per year at the stadium over the last three seasons.
Whitecaps confirm discussions over new stadium
The comment comes as the club's ownership group — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and Steve Nash — prepares to sell the city's Major League Soccer team,
Whitecaps says a proposed new team-owned stadium is part of a long-term plan to keep the city's professional soccer team based in Vancouver. A new stadium is widely seen as a potential draw for prospective buyers, and a key factor in securing the club's long-term financial stability.
In a statement to CBC News, the Whitecaps say they are in active discussions with the City of Vancouver about developing a new stadium at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) fairgrounds — a site with deep historical significance for the club.
When the team first formed under the North American Soccer League in the 1970s, they played right next to the fairgrounds at what was then Empire Stadium.
The space later became Empire Fields, where the team debuted in Major League Soccer in 2011. Today, the site is home to community turf fields.
"While the club is taking all necessary action to keep moving this process forward, it is a complex undertaking that can take considerable time," said Nathan Vanstone, the club's vice-president of broadcast and communications.
The team currently plays at B.C. Place and trains at the University of British Columbia, but their lease at the downtown stadium is set to expire at the end of 2025.
For now, the club says it's "business as usual."
"We remain focused on extending the great momentum of the season and continuing to invest in and grow the club and Canadian soccer."
City and province voice support
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city is committed to keeping the team.
"[They] are an integral part of our city's sport and cultural identity," Sim said in a statement.
"While we cannot disclose specific information regarding potential land-use matters, we are continuing to explore ways to ensure the Whitecaps can remain in Vancouver for generations to come."
B.C. Minister of Jobs and Economic Development Ravi Kahlon said the province has not been formally asked to support a stadium project but conversations have taken place with both the club and city.
"Vancouver White Caps are B.C.'s team, not just Vancouver's team," Kahlon told CBC News. "Not only does it help young athletes aspire to rise and play at that level, but also because they are important economic drivers."
He drew parallels to the departure of the Vancouver Grizzlies NBA team in 2001.
"When we lost the Vancouver Grizzlies, we've been waiting years with the hope of maybe getting a basketball team back," said Kahlon. "But we know when a team leaves, it's very difficult to get a professional team back. That's why it's important to do what we can to keep the Whitecaps."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
26 minutes ago
- CBC
How should Canada respond to U.S. tariff increase?
As U.S. President Donald Trump bumps up import tariffs on non-CUSMA-compliant Canadian goods to 35 per cent, the Power & Politics panel of party insiders discusses how Canada should respond and whether there should be an expiration date on negotiations.
Winnipeg Free Press
28 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Disappointment mixed with cautious optimism, resolve in Manitoba as Trump makes good on tariff threat
Manitoba business and labour leaders expressed disappointment Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump hiked his tariff on many Canadian goods to 35 per cent, bringing further economic uncertainty. They remained hopeful ongoing trade talks between the two countries will strike the right deal for Canada's economy. 'We were hoping to avoid this escalation in our current trade tensions with the U.S.,' said Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Loren Remillard. 'We remain confident, in time, we will find common ground with the U.S. administration. The most important thing is getting the right deal for Canada, not necessarily getting it done right now.' MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES The steel-producing city of Selkirk, just north of Winnipeg, is bracing for potential impacts. Trump increased the tariff (on imports not compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA) after a deal wasn't struck before a deadline he imposed. Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck agreed no deal is better than a bad one for Canada. 'I think there are a lot more businesses that are watching this with great uncertainty and unease, and that's not good for anyone, but we can't let the U.S. just dictate a deal that's only good for them and hurts our economy,' he said. 'I'm glad our prime minister (Mark Carney) is working towards a deal that puts Canadians first.' Rebeck said tariffs are hurting both countries' economies, with about 200 Manitobans — largely in the steel sector and some in food production — on work-sharing measures or laid off. Alan Arcand, the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' chief economist, said the U.S. is Manitoba's No. 1 trading partner, with 80 per cent of the province's exports going to its southern neighbour. Manitoba's exports to the U.S. were down by 30 per cent between January and May, he said. 'That's definitely a huge problem for the Manitoba economy,' Arcand said. 'It's been a challenge the entire year, and increasing the tariff rate from 25 per cent to 35 per cent adds on to those difficulties.' Arcand said CME supports the federal government's decision to 'remain firm' and pursue a better deal. Canada's automotive, steel, aluminum, copper and softwood lumber industries have been most affected by the trade war, he said. In Manitoba, the advanced manufacturing sector could be among the most affected by the increased tariff, Remillard said. He said a vast majority of Manitoba's exporters is compliant with CUSMA and therefore will not be subject to the increased tariff, but a significant percentage will be impacted. Remillard said he expects eligible companies that haven't filled out the necessary paperwork will make a 'significant move' to become compliant in the coming days. He said Trump's changing trade policy has had a chilling effect on business. Arcand said it has been nearly impossible for businesses to plan. While some groups or politicians encouraged Ottawa to retaliate, Remillard said the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is hoping 'calmer approaches' by the federal government continue, and it doesn't take any action that will hurt Canadians. All levels of government should provide supports or resources to affected sectors to help them weather the storm, he said. Trump already applied 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The move left the steel-producing city of Selkirk, just north of Winnipeg, bracing for potential impacts. 'You just can't do business at a 50 per cent tariff. It's just out of the question,' said Mayor Larry , who's been monitoring Brazil-based Gerdau SA's steel mill in Selkirk. 'Every time I go by there, I'm looking at the yard to see how many employees' cars are parked there, and how many trailers are there loaded with steel and ready to go. 'Of course, it's been very, very busy before this latest increase to the tariffs. We were seeing a lot of double trailers loaded with steel coming out of the mill.' Johannson said he saw some trailers — destination unknown — ready to go when he drove by Friday morning. 'We're seeing back and forth in there, and that's a good thing. Honestly, as mayor, I just can't see doing business with a 50 per cent tariff,' he said. 'Fifty per cent tariffs is not a fair rate. It's a ludicrous rate.' When Premier Wab Kinew visited the mill in March, he said the Manitoba government will source Canadian steel for all its infrastructure projects and relevant equipment purchases. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. Johannson, whose father and grandfather worked at the mill, is hoping that approach is mirrored across Canada. 'We want Manitoba steel to have equal opportunity in any projects in Canada,' he said. 'We can supply the steel.' In the meantime, Johannson wants negotiations between Canada and the U.S. to be 'ramped up.' 'We have to get (the tariffs) down,' he said. 'I wish I could lock the door until they come out of there with a good deal that is beneficial to both.' Chris KitchingReporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
28 minutes ago
- CTV News
Winnipeg man discusses his Cross-Canada run inspired by Terry Fox
A Winnipeg man is sharing his story about how he paid tribute to his hero and ran across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Jackson Charron-Okerlund, who works at Poseidon Care Centre as a recreational aide, ran across Canada over 160 days, inspired by Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope. He raised more than $100,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation in Toronto. It was his work at the care centre that inspired him to train and undertake the challenge. 'There was one Christmas where I walked into a room where this lady turned 100 years old, and she was surrounded by many of her generations, her kids, her grandkids, her great grandkids,' Charron-Okerlund said. 'And what I realized was with cancer, not everyone had that opportunity to be 100 and to be in that room surrounded by all their generations. My hero, Terry Fox, did not get that opportunity. So I wanted to do something about that, and made sure everyone had that opportunity to be 100 and be surrounded by all their loved ones.' Jackson Charron-Okerlund Jackson Charron-Okerlund speaks with CTV Winnipeg about his run across Canada on Aug. 1, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) Charron-Okerlund started the journey alone for the first 40 days, running with a stroller carrying his supplies. However, over time, it grew. 'People were coming far and wide to find me on the highway, make a donation, give me gifts and whatnot, and tell their stories about their loved ones who may have lost the battle of cancer, or their loved ones who... were actually alive,' he said. Charron-Okerlund said the biggest challenge of the marathon was the Prairies. 'Going into it, I thought it would be the easiest because it's so flat and you just got to go one foot in front of the other. But it turned out it was starting to be the hottest parts of summer,' he said. 'Turns out, going on different elevations actually works different muscles in your legs, so you're constantly changing up what you're working. So going straight across the prairies for like, a month and a half, by the end of it, I was in a fever dream.' Charron-Okerlund ended his journey at Port Coquitlam, B.C., where Terry Fox is buried. He said he is proud of how he helped raise money for cancer research. 'Every dollar does go to helping someone, and every day, they're making new advancements,' he said. 'And it's so important to keep pushing to a world free of cancer, because I know we can get there.'
