Group behind downtown Kingston stadium proposal drops plans
Victory Grounds Ventures had pitched multi-sport stadium to woo CPL team
The group behind a plan to build a multi-sport stadium at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont., has withdrawn its proposal, the city says.
Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) had pitched a turf field covered by a dome in winter at the downtown site, in the hopes of wooing a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams.
But in a statement Friday evening, the City of Kingston said VSV had withdrawn the proposal "after careful thought and consideration."
"This was one of the most robust engagements the City had ever been involved in, with hundreds of people taking time to come forward and share their comments about the proposal," the statement said.
The city's statement did not go into details as to why VSV was pulling its proposal. It noted the decision came ahead of a report city staff were expecting to present at a council meeting on March 18.
In an email to CBC, VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau said "potential legal issues" were identified during the due diligence process "which unfortunately made this project at the Memorial Centre not feasible."
When asked, Barbeau said he could not share details about the issues.
Plan was divisive
Opinions on the stadium plan were divided, with a petition launched by Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association gathering thousands of signatures.
"It's a public space being taken over by private interests, and it's going to have a massive impact on surrounding residents, really disturbing their quality of life," Burfoot told CBC in January.
A previous city staff report said the stadium plan would have several impacts on the Memorial Centre Grounds, including moving a popular dog park and losing some sports field uses.
Barns used during the Kingston Fall Fair that house the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in the colder months would also have had to come down to make room for parking, that report said.
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CBC
08-03-2025
- CBC
Group behind downtown Kingston stadium proposal drops plans
Victory Grounds Ventures had pitched multi-sport stadium to woo CPL team The group behind a plan to build a multi-sport stadium at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont., has withdrawn its proposal, the city says. Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) had pitched a turf field covered by a dome in winter at the downtown site, in the hopes of wooing a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams. But in a statement Friday evening, the City of Kingston said VSV had withdrawn the proposal "after careful thought and consideration." "This was one of the most robust engagements the City had ever been involved in, with hundreds of people taking time to come forward and share their comments about the proposal," the statement said. The city's statement did not go into details as to why VSV was pulling its proposal. It noted the decision came ahead of a report city staff were expecting to present at a council meeting on March 18. In an email to CBC, VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau said "potential legal issues" were identified during the due diligence process "which unfortunately made this project at the Memorial Centre not feasible." When asked, Barbeau said he could not share details about the issues. Plan was divisive Opinions on the stadium plan were divided, with a petition launched by Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association gathering thousands of signatures. "It's a public space being taken over by private interests, and it's going to have a massive impact on surrounding residents, really disturbing their quality of life," Burfoot told CBC in January. A previous city staff report said the stadium plan would have several impacts on the Memorial Centre Grounds, including moving a popular dog park and losing some sports field uses. Barns used during the Kingston Fall Fair that house the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in the colder months would also have had to come down to make room for parking, that report said.
CBC
08-03-2025
- CBC
Group behind downtown Kingston stadium proposal drops plans
Social Sharing The group behind a plan to build a multi-sport stadium at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont., has withdrawn its proposal, the city says. Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) had pitched a turf field covered by a dome in winter at the downtown site, in the hopes of wooing a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams. But in a statement Friday evening, the City of Kingston said VSV had withdrawn the proposal "after careful thought and consideration." "This was one of the most robust engagements the City had ever been involved in, with hundreds of people taking time to come forward and share their comments about the proposal," the statement said. The city's statement did not go into details as to why VSV was pulling its proposal. It noted the decision came ahead of a report city staff were expecting to present at a council meeting on March 18. In an email to CBC, VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau said "potential legal issues" were identified during the due diligence process "which unfortunately made this project at the Memorial Centre not feasible." When asked, Barbeau said he could not share details about the issues. Plan was divisive Opinions on the stadium plan were divided, with a petition launched by Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association gathering thousands of signatures. "It's a public space being taken over by private interests, and it's going to have a massive impact on surrounding residents, really disturbing their quality of life," Burfoot told CBC in January. A previous city staff report said the stadium plan would have several impacts on the Memorial Centre Grounds, including moving a popular dog park and losing some sports field uses. Barns used during the Kingston Fall Fair that house the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in the colder months would also have had to come down to make room for parking, that report said.
CBC
14-01-2025
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Pitch for pro soccer team, stadium in Kingston met with both support and opposition
A proposal to build a multi-sport stadium and bring a professional soccer team to Kingston, Ont., has won some fans, but is also up against plenty of opponents who fear the project will cost the community. Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) is pitching a turf field, which would be covered by a dome in winter, at the Memorial Centre in the city's core. The company said it wants to enter into a long-term lease for part of the site in order to woo a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams. The facility would also be available for local groups. The plan offers "exponential benefit from tourism to businesses," according to VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau, who said the stadium wouldn't require any money from taxpayers. "In fact, the exact opposite," he said during an interview with Ontario Morning host Nav Nanwa. "I'm actually looking to pay the taxpayers in a lease arrangement, so they will still retain ownership of the land." Kingston city council is set to consider the proposal during its meeting Tuesday night, but not everyone is cheering. In fact, some are rooting against it. "It's a public space being taken over by private interests, and it's going to have a massive impact on surrounding residents, really disturbing their quality of life," said Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association. Fears for future of farmers' market The Memorial Centre grounds are currently home to an arena and water park. A report by city staff said the soccer stadium wouldn't impact the play structure or splash pad at the site, but it would mean moving a popular dog park and losing some sports field uses. It would also impact the busy running track that surrounds the grounds. Barns that are used during the Kingston Fall Fair and that house the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in the colder months would also have to come down to make room for more parking, it reads. The report says future designs for the centre would include space for a year-round farmers' market, but that pledge has been panned as "vague" in a post on the market's website urging customers to sign a petition against the stadium. "This proposal unfairly pits the market, the neighbourhood, and Kingston Fall Fair communities against the soccer community," the post reads in part. Burfoot launched the petition, which by Tuesday morning had more than 5,000 signatures. While the Memorial Centre has been "starved for attention, even maintenance" in recent years, Burfoot said she's convinced it's the wrong location for a soccer stadium. She pointed to bright field lights, crowds of fans and a lack of parking as potential headaches for nearby homeowners, and said while residents are used to disruption during annual events such as Ribfest or the fall fair, regular games would be a different story. "Now we are dancing to the tune of the private enterprise," she said. Barbeau insisted many of the concerns about the proposal are based on "misinformation," adding the company did not ask the city to demolish the barns. He also described the area VGV is looking to lease as a "concrete slab," not parkland. "All we're asking is the ability to communicate with city staff ... and for all of us to communicate with the community and get their comments through public consultation," he said. Council considering 3 options Williamsville District Coun. Vincent Cinanni said the proposal comes with "a lot of unanswered questions." He said the main message he's hearing from constituents is a desire to slow the process down. Cinanni agreed the plan would likely offer an economic benefit, and said there is a need for a soccer field like the one that's proposed. But he said it doesn't necessarily have to be located at the Memorial Centre. The city staff report includes the following options: Working with the VGV to develop a long-term lease of the Memorial Centre. Working with the company to find another site for its stadium in Kingston. Directing staff not to work with the company on any long-term leases for city-owned property. It notes if council does support plans for a stadium, more due diligence and community consultation would be needed before any final approval is given. The report also urges council to provide direction soon because VGV must confirm its "firm intent" with the soccer league by the end of March.
