Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) proposed the construction of a turf field that would be covered by a dome in the winter, aiming to attract a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-professional teams.

Divided opinions on the stadium

However, the group behind the plan to build a multi-sport stadium at the Memorial Centre in Kingston recently withdrew its proposal. City officials stated in an official announcement that VGV had withdrawn its proposal after careful thought and consideration. The stadium project received both support and opposition. Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association, gathered thousands of signatures on a petition against the development.

This is a public space being taken over by private interests, and it will have a massive impact on surrounding residents, significantly worsening their quality of life, Burfoot told CBC in January. A previous city staff report indicated that the stadium plan would affect the Memorial Centre grounds, including relocating a popular dog park and limiting access to certain sports fields. While waiting for changes in football stadiums, fans often look for alternative online entertainment. One of the most popular options is certainly a casino. Find the perfect online casinos for real money in 2025 and enjoy the game.

Community opposition and legal issues

The city did not provide specific reasons for VGV’s decision but noted that it came just before a planned presentation of a report to the city council on March 18. VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau wrote in an email to CBC that potential legal issues were identified during the analysis, making the project at the Memorial Centre unfeasible. Barbeau declined to provide further details on these issues.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Councillor Vincent Cinanni, who represents the district where the stadium was to be built, wrote that he fought hard to protect public space at the Memorial Centre and was relieved by the project’s withdrawal. The Kingston & District Agricultural Society opposed the stadium construction, citing its rights to the land. A city report suggested that as part of the project, barns used during the Kingston Fall Fair and as a location for the Farmers’ Market during colder months would have to be demolished. However, Barbeau assured that VGV had never requested their removal.

During a city council meeting on January 14, Agricultural Society president Yvonne Compton reminded officials that under the 1950 Kingston Act, the city is obligated to provide the organization access to the site for hosting the fair. Compton emphasized that the same legal act had blocked previous development proposals for the Memorial Centre grounds in 1975 and 2007. Our legal rights are clear, Compton said. No portion of the Memorial Centre grounds can be developed in a way that would interfere with the fair. She also stated that the proposed stadium would occupy the entire space where midway rides are set up, potentially threatening the fair’s future. If we lose our midway, we will suffer severe financial losses, Compton told the meeting.