When Halifax pulled out of consideration as a Women's World Cup host city last month, due to its (unsurprising) decision not to fund a suitable stadium, it seemed the lineup of 2015 host cities was set: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton. Six host cities needed, six contenders, perfect.
The Canadian Soccer Association is, oddly, still treating the host city lineup as a surprise, convening a big press conference (featuring Sepp Blatter, oh boy!) this Friday in Ottawa to make the official announcement. Well, fair enough, I guess. It's a big tournament, a big deal, no harm in a little pomp and circumstance to get people excited.
But there was a real concern, right up until Monday, that Ottawa's participation (the city, that is, not the federal government) could still be in question, even as CSA and FIFA officials smiled and waved from Parliament Hill.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
The redevelopment of Lansdowne Park in Ottawa -- site of Frank Clair Stadium, which hosted games in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, before promptly falling to bits -- had been delayed by protests and appeals from a group called Friends of Lansdowne, who will say that they're just concerned taxpayers, but who I will (probably unfairly) characterize as implacable NIMBYs from the Glebe.
But finally, thankfully, it appears the project is set to go ahead, thanks to a ruling on Monday from the Ontario Court of Appeal. Sure, there's probably merit in some Friends of Lansdowne complaints, and the project (like every development project in human history) will probably be delayed and over budget.
But for the purposes of our narrow-minded interest in Canadian soccer, a thorough and unreserved HURRAH! for the decision.
We can now be reasonably assured that Ottawa will indeed be ready to host the Women's World Cup in 2015 (preventing a horribly embarrassing theoretical situation in which the CSA would need to beg Toronto to get on board, at the 11th hour), and will have a home for its NASL franchise, set to begin play in 2014.
And, y'know, if you like the CFL, it's good news for your Rough Riders/Renegades/whatever they'll be called next too. Just don't let anyone named Glieberman near the team.
With Toronto busying itself showcasing its "world-class" credentials by hosting a non-world-class sporting tournament (the Pan Am Games) in 2015, whilst the rest of the country takes care of a legitimately world-class event (the Women's World Cup), having the nation's capital also fall out of the mix would have been devastating.
But as it is, we can now breathe a sigh of a relief -- and also get excited about the prospect of a five-team Voyageurs Cup in just two years' time.
.