Canadian Premier League announced plans to expand to Saskatoon, Sasktatchewan Friday.
Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. was awarded exclusive rights to launch the yet to be named CPL expansion team. The launch of the club is contingent upon LSSE delivering a soccer-specific stadium to League standards.
“We are excited about being part of the Canadian Premier League’s expansion plans for Saskatchewan,” said Alan Simpson principal of LSSE via a league statement Friday. “Signing the Agreement in Principle gives us the opportunity to bring the CPL and professional soccer to the province.
“By acquiring the exclusive rights to a CPL expansion club, we can immediately begin work on our first task, which is the development and financing of a soccer-ready stadium, suitable to CPL league wide standards, but more importantly, begin supporting the dream many Canadian kids have of playing pro soccer in their own province and country.”
LSSE plans to build the soccer-specific stadium for the club at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, where the horse racing facility has permanently closed Friday.
“When Prairieland was approached about the possibility of a soccer stadium at the Park, we felt compelled to consider whether such an infrastructure project could enhance the long-term sustainability of the Park, as well as contribute meaningfully to the City of Saskatoon,” said Mark Regier CEO of Prairieland Park.
The CPL had kept the expansion news secret, with fans and media expressing surprise when the league released a series of expansion teasers on social media Thursday evening.
#CanPL pic.twitter.com/PHOcP2ZYXk
— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) March 12, 2021
The club would be the league’s ninth team, and would be the latest expansion club since Atletico Ottawa joined the league last year. There was no launch date given for the proposed new club, though some are reporting 2023 as the target.
