No Kingston soccer stadium - Victory Ground takes their ball and heads home

City thanks public for feedback

Victory Grounds Ventures has withdrawn its proposal for a soccer stadium in Kingston at the Memorial Centre just ahead of a City Staff report expected to be presented at the March 18 Council meeting.

In a statement released Friday evening, the City of Kingston said it will halt any further analysis of the proposal, which had been requested by City Council.

This public consultation process saw one of the most engaged responses the City has ever received, with hundreds of people contributing their feedback. 

Several City staff members worked through the Council-directed process, which brought together sports leagues, user groups, and community members.

The City is grateful for the valuable input provided during this process, particularly from those connected to the Memorial Centre. The City’s appreciation goes out to all who took the time to share their thoughts on the proposal.

Here is the full statement from the City:

After careful thought and consideration, Victory Grounds Ventures has withdrawn its proposed project involving a soccer stadium at the Memorial Centre ahead of a Report which City Staff were expecting to present at the Council meeting of March 18. 

As a result, the City will pause any further analysis of the proposal as had been requested by City Council.  
 
This was one of the most robust engagements the City had ever been involved in, with hundreds of people taking time to come forward and share their comments about the proposal while a number of City staff members worked through the Council-directed process.  

The City wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the many user groups, sports leagues, community members, and people connected to the Memorial Centre who took time to provide valued feedback during this process. 

The proposal divided the community with some supporting the venture and the potential dollars it could bring to the city, while other worried about the future of the City's annual fair held on the grounds. 

We'll have more in the coming days.