Who Will Build the New Stadium for the Houston Dynamo Soccer Team?
December 15, 2005 the San Jose Earthquakes were relocated to Houston, because owner AEG's did not secure a soccer-specific stadium and the Dynamo were created. Hence the rush to get a stadium built to host the MLS team's home turf near or in Houston. Dynamo finished their first season in Houston with a record good enough for second place in the Western Conference. In 2006, the Dynamo defeated the New England Revolution to win the 2006 MLS Cup held at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. With the win, the Dynamo advanced to the 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. This is could be a real money maker for the economy in Houston or who ever the lucky city will be. At this point Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland and Webster have shown interest in building a stadium for the Dynamos.
Last week the Sugar Land City Council agreed to move forward with the development of an entertainment district that would include a 20,000-25,000 seat stadium that could be used by the Dynamo. In addition to the stadium, the entertainment district would 16 tournament-level and recreational soccer/football fields and a 7,000 seat indoor performing arts center. Councilman Michael Schiff said he believes Sugar Land has what it takes to attract the Dynamo. "I think we have the demographics; I believe we have the interest and I believe the Dynamo also realizes that," Schiff said.
Pearland and the team have discussed a possible site for the complex near Texas 288 and Beltway 8. Luck said the Dynamo have conducted preliminary engineering work there. Fred Welch, executive director of the Pearland Economic Development Corp., would not confirm that the city had submitted a proposal to the Dynamo or provide specifics on it.
"What I like about Pearland is the timing of this all, because they're really in a massive growth spurt," Dynamo team president Oliver Luck said. "Being able to potentially plan something like (a soccer stadium complex) in with all the other stuff that's happening is very gratuitous timing."
Webster's economic development director, Betsy Giusto, would not confirm that the city had submitted a proposal to the Dynamo or provide specifics on it. She has previously said that there are several possible sites in the city for a stadium complex. Oliver Luck said the team has conducted preliminary engineering work in every city except Webster. "The ball is in Oliver's court," Giusto said. "We're waiting on Oliver."
Houston is focusing on a downtown locale just north of Minute Maid Park for the soccer plans.
Published by Kat Mitschke
I am a stay at mother of three. Two of which are teenagers. I love finding ways to make money while I stay home to raise my children and take care of my family. I also love animals. I have two cats and a Sha... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a Commentsoccer sucks! take that shitty sport back to europe
The stadium needs to be built downtown so its accessible from all parts of Houston. Across from Minute Maid Park/59 would be a great location Please don't do like Dallas did and build it in the money area (Frisco) unless they build light rail to the stadium.
Second part!
When heard of Dynamo possibly building in Sugar land, man, that was a disappointment, it's too far from other surrounding cities, Dynamo has a large fan base in the north side and I think they would loose that if they went to Sugar land. I sincerely hope they build Downtown. It makes more sense to me, to build downtown, with the way Houston is growing and how downtown is becoming a great hangout spot on the weekends, it just makes sense. So people, do Houston a favor, say no to Sugar land and yes to downtown.
I am sort of new to the whole Soccer thing and until Dynamo came along to Houston, I have never attended a Professional Soccer game. Well, to make the long story short, I am in love with the game, it really is the Beautiful game. So I was excited that we have a team here in Houston. Now last night (May 15, 2007) I am watching the news right. They announce the possible plans of building a Soccer Specific Stadium in downtown Houston. I was excited beyond words. I truly believe that a Stadium downtown would be the best thing to do. It is in reasonable reach of all surrounding cities, it would be beside another people attracting stadium, that being Minute Maid Park, and a great view of the downtown skyline. It is an attractive location, it obviously would create jobs and broaden and create better possibilities in one day bringing that Olympics to Houston. When heard of Dynamo possibly building in Sugar land, man, that was a disappointment, it's too far from other surrounding citie
nice informative article. I take it you are in Texas. LOL congrats on getting your articles published.