Saputo Stadium

Location	Montreal, Quebec
Broke ground	April 18, 2007
Opened	May 21, 2008
Owner	Saputo
Operator	Impact Soccer
Surface	Grass
Construction cost	$14.1M Cdn.
Architect	Zinno Zappitelli Architectes
Capacity	13,034[1] (2007)
Tenants
Montreal Impact (USL-1) (2008- ) Canada men's national soccer team (2007-present)

Saputo Stadium (French: Stade Saputo) is a soccer-specific stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada which opened on May 21, 2008, and is the current home of the Montreal Impact. The stadium is built on the former practice track and field site on the grounds of the 1976 Summer Olympics, while the stadium's west side has a view of Olympic Stadium's incline tower (thus having a three-stand configuration, like Oxford United F.C.'s Kassam Stadium in England). Saputo Stadium holds 13,034 people and can be expanded to 20,000 in the future for possible Major League Soccer expansion plans. Its main tenant is the Impact, a non-profit entity co-owned by the Government of Quebec, Hydro-Québec and Saputo. The stadium is named after the Saputo family, not the company, and is the second largest soccer specific stadium in Canada after BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario.

Built by Broccolini Construction Inc., the Impact played their first home game at their new home on May 19, 2008, a scoreless draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The first international at Saputo Stadium was the second leg of Canada's second stage CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying match on June 20, 2008. [2] .

The stadium cost $14.1 million CAD to build, with one-half of the cost paid by the Saputo family, and the rest coming from other private sector contributions. Saputo Stadium is now the Impact's administrative headquarters and also includes a training field, 20 corporate boxes and full player welfare areas. The complex covers approximately 1,600,000 square feet (149,000 m²). While it currently used a majority of the time by the Impact, other local teams will also be allowed to play there. The stadium features a natural grass playing surface and is reportedly preferred over BMO Field for this reason by members of the Canada men's national soccer team. ^[1]

If the Impact gain entry into Major League Soccer, there are plans to expand the stadium from the existing 13,034 capacity to 20,000 to cope with the anticipated boost in attendances. The plans would cost around $12m.^[2]

The first goal scored at Saputo Stadium was by Toronto FC's Marco Velez on May 27, 2008 during the inaugural match of the 2008 Canadian Championship.

The Impact's first goal in the stadium was scored by Rocco Placentino against the Charleston Battery on June 13, 2008. This also gave the Impact its first victory in the stadium, with a score of 1-0.

[edit] References

1. ^ Campbell, Morgan (2008-09-18). "Natural grass 'not hot on radar' for BMO Field". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Soccer/article/501277. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
2. ^ Liverpool co-owner launches MLS bid - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

[edit] External links

• Official site

Preceded by Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard 1993—2007

Home of the Montreal Impact 2008—present

Succeeded by current

v • d • e Current Stadiums in the USL First Division Blackbaud Stadium • Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium • Marina Auto Stadium • Middlefield Cheese Stadium • National Sports Center • Nelson Field • PGE Park • Saputo Stadium • Swangard Stadium • FIU Stadium • Lockhart Stadium • WakeMed Soccer Park

Coordinates: 45°33′47.07″N 73°33′9.56″W / 45.563075°N 73.5526556°W / 45.563075; -73.5526556

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