An email from Arthur Griffiths in support of the Whitecaps Stadium in Gastown via the Vancouver Board of Trade.

Dear Board of Trade Member,

I have been involved with two major projects in our city. The first was to build a privately financed stadium for the Vancouver Canucks and Vancouver Grizzlies – the first privately funded stadium built in Canada since Maple Leaf Gardens. In 2003, I was fortunate to have been the Domestic Chair for Vancouver’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2010.Both of these projects, I believe, have and will serve to improve our city, and create many lasting legacies.

Another private businessman is on the verge of completing Vancouver’s next great community asset, and I want to do everything I can to help him in this process.As you are aware, Greg Kerfoot and the Vancouver Whitecaps would like to build a mid-sized outdoor stadium in downtown Vancouver.This 15,000 seat venue would be built on the waterfront in historic Gastown, and would offer amazing views of the north shore mountains and Burrard Inlet.The stadium would be built above the railway tracks and have direct access to Vancouver’s main transit hub. It is truly a visionary location, and would provide amazing benefits for the community.

Over the past several months, the City of Vancouver has been completing a high level review of the project.Thank you to those who have attended one of the open houses, or sent a letter of support. The results of the review will be presented to City Council on June 15th. If council responds favorably to this report, the project will move to a formal development application.

Thanks to my experience in building General Motors Place, I know how difficult this process can be. Despite a great deal of public and corporate support (60 suite deposits to date), the stadium is not a done deal and we need your help to see it through. This is not one of those times to sit on the sidelines.

You can show your support by sending a letter to the City Planning Department, Council and the Mayor, but speaking from experience the most concrete way that you can show your support for this project is with the purchase of a Whitecaps ticket package. This is more powerful than signing a petition, and will show the City in a very tangible way the kind of support that exists for the project. The Whitecaps have a 3-game package that starts at just $42 or season tickets from just $175. Both packages will secure your priority purchase rights at the new stadium.

Whitecaps President John Rocha worked with me when we built General Motors Place, and he is working hard to engage all of the key stakeholders on this project. John and his team are also working to continue the growth of the Whitecaps organization, and the fan experience they provide at Swangard Stadium. If you’ve never been to a game, I think you will be surprised at how much fun it is.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and for your support of Vancouver’s next great sports and entertainment venue. Email John today at mailto:jrocha@whitecapsfc.com for ticket packages or further information. With your help, we can kick this into the top corner!

Best regards,

Arthur Griffiths
Whitecaps Stadium Supporter

PS – Please send this email to your friends and associates that would also be interested in supporting this great venture. Thank you again for your support.