Empire Field

Empire Field Empire Field was a stadium located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was primarily used for American football and association football and was the home field for the University of British Columbia Varsity Blues football team and the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team. The stadium was opened in 1970 and had a seating capacity of approximately 30,000.

History

Empire Field was constructed in 1970 on the site of a former quarry and was designed to be a temporary solution for the Vancouver Whitecaps and University of British Columbia athletic teams. The stadium was built with a modular design, allowing for easy expansion and relocation if necessary. The construction of the stadium was overseen by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and was completed at a cost of approximately $1.2 million Canadian dollars. The stadium was officially opened on September 12, 1970, with a Canadian football game between the University of British Columbia Varsity Blues and the University of Victoria Vikes.

The stadium played host to various high school football games, including the annual B.C. High School Football Championship. The stadium also hosted several concerts, including performances by famous artists such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Who.

Facilities and features

Empire Field featured a natural grass playing surface and had a seating capacity of approximately 30,000. The stadium was equipped with floodlights, allowing for nighttime games and events. The stadium also had a concession stand and a press box, providing amenities for spectators and sports journalists.

The stadium's design included a track and field facility, which hosted various athletic events, including track and field competitions and cross-country running events. The stadium also had a parking lot with a capacity of over 5,000 vehicles, providing ample parking for spectators.

Notable events

Empire Field played host to several notable events during its operational history. In 1971, the stadium hosted the CIBC Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football championship, which saw the University of British Columbia Varsity Blues defeat the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

The stadium also hosted several international soccer matches, including a friendly match between the Canadian national soccer team and the Mexican national soccer team in 1977.

In 1982, the stadium hosted the Gillette Cup soccer tournament, which featured teams from Europe and North America.

Demolition and legacy

Empire Field was demolished in 1983, after only 13 years of operation. The stadium was replaced by BC Place Stadium (now known as BC Place), a new multi-purpose stadium that featured a retractable roof and a seating capacity of over 50,000.

Despite its relatively short operational history, Empire Field played an important role in the development of sports in British Columbia. The stadium provided a much-needed venue for University of British Columbia athletic teams and professional soccer teams, and hosted several notable events during its operational history.

The site where Empire Field once stood is now occupied by a park and a residential complex, but the legacy of the stadium lives on as an important part of Vancouver's sports history. Category:Defunct sports venues in Canada