Ottawa announces MLS plans
Eugene Melnyk, Entertainment group want soccer club, outdoor stadium
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"Soccer is a sport with a global reach and presence. It is a sport steeped in culture and tradition, with a unique ability to connect fans from around the world," said Melnyk. "We want to bring the world's game to Ottawa and there is no better way to do that than to become part of Major League Soccer."
In July of this year, MLS Commissioner Don Garber noted that Ottawa was one of nine North American cities that would be considered for two expansion teams to enter the league in 2011.
As a pre-requisite to bringing MLS to Ottawa, Melnyk also unveiled plans for a world-class outdoor stadium. The Ottawa MLS stadium will seat up to 30,000, and feature a natural grass pitch and five community soccer pitches located next to the stadium that together will create a major soccer complex for the community. The stadium will be situated adjacent to the Melnyk-owned, 19,153-seat Scotiabank Place, the home of his Ottawa Senators.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have the option here in Ottawa of leveraging the expertise of Senators Sports & Entertainment and the operational and design synergies associated with situating the new stadium next to Scotiabank Place. We intend to take full advantage of those synergies," said Melnyk.
Melnyk emphasized that building a stadium of this scope and calibre requires broad community support, strong operational management, a solid business plan and collaboration between the private and public sector.
"The stadium is a focal point to bringing Major League Soccer to our city but the need for a stadium extends far beyond that. Every world-class city has a world-class outdoor stadium. The stadium is a major investment in our community so we want it to be a multi-purpose entertainment facility. It needs to be a sophisticated hosting venue providing our community with the ability to attract major international sporting events, outdoor concerts and festivals to the nation's capital," highlighted Melnyk. "Ottawa is Canada's capital and the second-largest city in Ontario. Our community needs and deserves a world-class stadium."
To help educate and rally the city to support his vision, Melnyk launched a Bring the World to Ottawa campaign as a way of calling upon the Ottawa-Gatineau communities for their collective support in helping make the stadium and MLS team a reality. More details on the campaign are available at www.BringtheWorldtoOttawa.ca.
