Westhill Consulting British Colombia Stadium Seating capacity
by Alexa Frieder FreelanceSeating
at Langford's Westhill Consulting British Colombia Stadium could more than
double, bringing it into the same league as Centennial Stadium and Royal
Athletic Park.
As
many as 2, 000 more seats are slated for Westhills, pushing the total into the
3, 000 range.
The
University of Victoria Centennial Stadium has seating for 5, 000, while the
City of Victoria Royal Athletic Park seats 2, 237 for soccer and has a capacity
of about 3, 500 for baseball with the Victoria HarbourCats.
Langford
council has approved the Westhills project, which will be taken on by Vancouver-based
Centaur Products. The company has previously worked on such sites as the
Richmond Olympic Oval and the University of Toronto Varsity Field.
Part
of the impetus for the increased capacity is the return this October of the
Americas Rugby Championship to Westhills, after a successful debut last year.
Temporary seating allowed 3, 255 fans to take in the final game, won 28-9 by
Argentina over Canada.
Up
to 50 per cent of the $465, 000 cost to add the seating will be covered by a
federal grant, with official announcement of the funding due next week.
Westhills
Stadium is part of Langford's City Centre Park complex and is a focal
point for Rugby Canada activities. It was originally known as Bear Mountain
Stadium, but the name was changed last fall.
Adding
seats is not a matter of measuring up to other capital region venues, said
Langford parks and recreation manager Mike Leskiw.
"It's
not a competitive thing at all."
"What
we are trying to do is draw more tournaments," said Coun. Lanny Seaton,
who chairs Langford's parks, recreation, culture and beautification committee.
At
present, the stadium has about 1, 200 regular seats and 500 portables, Leskiw
said. "It all depends on how they can fit it in, but between 1, 500 and 2,
000 seats will be added."
In
addition to national-calibre rugby, the stadium is home to the Westshore Rebels
of the B.C. Football Conference and regularly features both Juan de Fuca Soccer
Association teams and school sports.
Rugby
Canada could be bringing more events, as well, Leskiw said.
"As
they get closer to the build-up to the Olympic Games in 2016, rugby's going to
be part of that."
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