Saskatchewan ‘primed’ for team in startup Canadian soccer league
Representatives of the City of Regina are expected to hear a soccer pitch on Friday.
Discussions are to revolve around a proposed Saskatchewan team in the newly formed Canadian Premier League, which could begin play as early as 2018.
Toronto-based lawyer Grant McGlaughlin — a former member of the University of Regina Cougars men’s basketball team — and erstwhile national men’s soccer team player Joe Belan are hoping to establish a franchise in Regina or Saskatoon. McGlaughlin said a meeting was recently held with Saskatoon civic officials.
“Saskatchewan is primed for another professional (sports) team,” McGlaughlin said. “It’s another thing for people to do at a different cost point — $20 to $29 tickets.
“We want to work with the cities to find out, ‘Can this even work for you guys?’ The first step is to see if this is feasible with either city’s plans.”
If a franchise were to materialize, it would have a provincial focus regardless of the home base — similar to the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and the National Lacrosse League’s Saskatchewan Rush.
Former Rush president Lee Genier would run the Saskatchewan’s CPL team if it comes to fruition. Under Genier, the Rush quickly established a foothold and became immensely popular after the team moved from Edmonton to Saskatoon for the 2016 season.
The Canadian Soccer Association approved the CPL on May 6. FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, has sanctioned the proposed league and is to provide financial assistance during the startup process.
To date, franchises have been granted to Winnipeg and Hamilton with an aspiration of beginning play with around 10 teams.
“The CSA recognizes this (league) as a key cornerstone for producing more elite players in Canada,” McGlaughlin said.
Ideally, a Saskatchewan team would play in an 8,600-seat downtown stadium with 24 luxury suites — a facility that McGlaughlin estimates would cost between $15 million to $20 million.
“What makes this doable are the modular stadiums that are out there now,” he said. “It’s a totally different price point than $250 million. It’s the reason this is even possible.
“We want to create a soccerspecific stadium to have that intimate feel and so that people can feel that real soccer experience like in Europe.”
McGlaughlin said a centrally located stadium is preferable in Regina or Saskatoon because it is a “key to the revitalization or development of downtown,” although alternate options — such as the use of Mosaic Stadium and its 33,500 seats — could also be on the table.
Mosaic Stadium is to be the site of Saturday’s international friendly match between the New York Cosmos (North American Soccer League) and Valencia CF (from Spain). Those sides are to meet at 4 p.m. Soccer Day in Saskatchewan is to begin at 2 p.m. with an exhibition women’s match between the Cougars and University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
A public information session about the Saskatchewan pro team is to be held Friday at O’Hanlon’s Irish Pub (1947 Scarth St.), beginning at 7 p.m. Belan, Genier and CPL president Paul Beirne are to be present.