Lamport Stadium

Lamport Stadium
"The Den"
Full name Allan A. Lamport Stadium
Location 1151 King Street West, Toronto
Coordinates 43°38′20″N 79°25′23″W / 43.63889°N 79.42306°W / 43.63889; -79.42306Coordinates: 43°38′20″N 79°25′23″W / 43.63889°N 79.42306°W / 43.63889; -79.42306
Owner City of Toronto
Capacity 9,600
Field size 110 x 75 m
Surface Artificial turf
Construction
Built 1974–1975
Opened July 1, 1975 (1975-07-01)
Renovated 2007–2008
Tenants
Ryerson Rams (Canada CIS OUA) (2012)
TFC Academy (Canada CSL) (2008–2012)
SC Toronto (Canada CSL) (2008–2012)
Toronto Nationals (Canada MLL) (2010)
Canada national rugby league team (2013–present)
Internacional de Toronto (Canada L1O) (2014)
Serbian White Eagles FC (Canada CSL) (2014)
Toronto Wolfpack (United Kingdom League 1) (2017–present)

Allan A. Lamport Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium on King Street West in the Liberty Village neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The 9,600 seating capacity stadium is primarily used for soccer, with the playing surface dually marked for both soccer and field hockey. The stadium was named for long-time Toronto politician Allan Lamport, who was associated with sporting activities in the city.[1]

Facility

Lamport Stadium was built during the winter and spring of 1974–1975 on the site of the notorious Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women,[2] and opened on July 1, 1975.[3]

Since construction, the playing surface has been artificial turf. The artificial turf was most recently replaced in 2008 by Dol Turf.[4]

As part of a deal with the city to convert BMO Field to natural grass, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment spent $1.2 million adding a winter bubble to Lamport Stadium in the winter of 2009-10.[5]

During the winter-time, the field is covered by the dome. The indoor field measures 68 metres by 105 metres, allowing a full eleven-a-side game.[6]

Sports usage

Soccer

Both SC Toronto and Major League Soccer team Toronto FC's Academy side played their Canadian Soccer League home games at Lamport Stadium. The OUA's Ryerson Rams soccer teams also call the stadium home. In 2014, the Serbian White Eagles of the Canadian Soccer League and Internacional de Toronto of League1 Ontario also played their home games at the stadium.

Rugby league

It was announced on May 21, 2012, that Lamport Stadium would be the new home of the Canada national rugby league team, the Wolverines.[7] Their first game of 2013, the Colonial Cup opener against the United States national rugby league team saw a crowd of nearly 8,000 turn out to witness a thrilling comeback from the Wolverines. It will also play host to Toronto's new professional rugby league club, Toronto Wolfpack, which will compete in the third-tier English League 1 competition beginning in 2017.[8]

Lacrosse

The Toronto Nationals played their 2010 season at Lamport Stadium before moving to Hamilton.

Non-sports usage

Besides sporting events, the stadium also hosts a major Caribana event each summer: the crowning ceremony for the King and Queen of Caribana.

References

  1. ↑ Best, Michael (June 25, 1975). "Allan Lamport's work deserves a memorial". The Toronto Star (Toronto). p. D1.
  2. ↑ "Government loan launches stadium on old Mercer site". The Toronto Star (Toronto). October 31, 1974. p. C3.
  3. ↑ "Stadium named for Allan Lamport". The Toronto Star (Toronto). June 14, 1974. p. A8.
  4. ↑ "Lamport Stadium, Toronto, Ontario". Bond Head, Ontario: Dol Turf Restoration. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Grass at BMO Field Attains Final Approval". Major League Soccer. 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  6. ↑ "Lamport Stadium". Ontario Soccer Association. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  7. ↑ RLFC, Canada (May 21, 2012). "Canada Wolverines to take on the World at Lamport Stadium". Canada RLFC News. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Rugby Football League officials joined by Mayor John Tory to unveil team brand and league information". 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.

See also

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