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Ottawa's MLS Bid Becomes Official With Soccer Stadium Plan
On Tuesday, Ottawa businessman Eugene Melnyk revealed his grand plans to bring an MLS team to the Canadian capital.
Sep 16, 2008 7:16:48 PM
After officially handing in his bid for an MLS expansion franchise in
2011, Eugene Melnyk, owner of the National Hockey League's Ottawa
Senators, gave his plans a little more shape ata press conference
on Tuesday. The centerpiece of the bid is a 30,000-seat stadium -- with
natural grass! -- to be situated next to Scotiabank Place, the
hockey arena also owned by Melnyk.
"The stadium is a focal point to bringing Major League Soccer to our city," Melnyk said. "Every world-class city has a world-class outdoor stadium." The stadium would be a multipurpose venue, capable of hosting concerts, festivals, and other events. "The stadium is a major investment in our community so we want it to be a multi-purpose entertainment facility," Melnyk continued. "Ottawa is Canada's capital and the second-largest city in Ontario. Our community needs and deserves a world-class stadium."
The plan does not mean that the stadium is a done deal. The project, Melnyk said, will need community support, and collaboration between the private and public sector. But, Melnyk said, soccer, as it did so successfully in Toronto, can bring it all togther.
"Soccer is a sport with a global reach and presence. It is a sport steeped in culture and tradition, with a unique ability to connect fans from around the world," Melnyk said at a press conference. "We want to bring the world's game to Ottawa and there is no better way to do that than to become part of Major League Soccer."
-- Goal.com
"The stadium is a focal point to bringing Major League Soccer to our city," Melnyk said. "Every world-class city has a world-class outdoor stadium." The stadium would be a multipurpose venue, capable of hosting concerts, festivals, and other events. "The stadium is a major investment in our community so we want it to be a multi-purpose entertainment facility," Melnyk continued. "Ottawa is Canada's capital and the second-largest city in Ontario. Our community needs and deserves a world-class stadium."
The plan does not mean that the stadium is a done deal. The project, Melnyk said, will need community support, and collaboration between the private and public sector. But, Melnyk said, soccer, as it did so successfully in Toronto, can bring it all togther.
"Soccer is a sport with a global reach and presence. It is a sport steeped in culture and tradition, with a unique ability to connect fans from around the world," Melnyk said at a press conference. "We want to bring the world's game to Ottawa and there is no better way to do that than to become part of Major League Soccer."
-- Goal.com
Inside Goal.Com
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