The Olympic-champion Canadian women’s soccer team was struck by the reception it received late Monday night at Starlight Stadium in a 2-2 draw against Nigeria, which concluded its national tour celebrating the gold medal from Tokyo.
“It was loud and it was fun,” said Shelina Zadorsky, who scored the tying goal for Canada at 80 minutes before a capacity crowd of 5,434
When Canada Soccer returns for lead-up games — it would be a shock if the women don’t qualify for Paris 2024 and the men will be playing many preparation games as they are guaranteed for the 2022 and 2026 World Cups — they will be playing in a 10,000-seat Starlight Stadium.
“Canada Soccer really wants to come back,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young.
“We could have sold 15,000 tickets for the Canada women’s game. We sold out in seven hours and I’ve never had people call me more asking how they can get into an event. You saw all the young kids crowding rows deep to get autographs of the Canadian players after the game and the players signing for well over an hour. That was fantastic. That’s what it’s all about.”
Young confirmed a B.C. Hydro utility pole, which blocked stadium expansion on the side opposite the existing main grandstand, is being uprooted and 4,000 to 5,000 permanent stands will be placed there.
Langford council has approved the $8.5-million project, with $4 million of that involving pole removal and $4.5 million for the new grandstand.
“We are closing off the corners with U-shapes and it will be very intimate,” said Young.
“It is going to be the best stadium on the Island and one of the best stadiums of its size anywhere. It will allow us to bring in bigger concerts and Pacific FC to bring in European teams [European clubs often tour North American in summer to play exhibitions].”
A large red Maple Leaf design on the seats will replace the existing white Maple Leaf, added Young.
“The timing for the pole removal is in Hydro’s hands, but their engineers are on it, and I’m hoping even in four months it will be gone.”
Young said the new grandstand is already pre-made in sections and has been ordered. The work to put it up will begin right after pole removal. An improved stadium will certainly give both Canada Soccer and Rugby Canada plenty to think about when scheduling international fixtures.
“The crowd was incredible and turned out early, and this is a great facility,” Canadian women’s soccer team head coach Bev Priestman said following the game late Monday.
“We felt the warmth, almost like a community club. We were well looked after on the Island.”
The next big event for Starlight Stadium in an Olympic sport is the women’s HSBC World Series Canada Rugby Sevens on April 30-May 1. The regular tenants are PFC of the professional soccer Canadian Premier League.
It all comes down to facilities. Within one week, two of Canada’s greatest female athletes and Olympic gold medallists — soccer’s Christine Sinclair against Nigeria and swimming’s Penny Oleksiak in the national trials at Saanich Commonwealth Place — competed on the Island.
cdheensaw@timescolonist.com
