Lamport Stadium

Last updated

Lamport Stadium
Lamport Stadium (37511251886).jpg
Lamport Stadium pictured in September 2017
Toronto map.png
Red pog.svg
Lamport Stadium
Location in Toronto
Canada Ontario relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Lamport Stadium
Location in Ontario
Canada relief map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
Lamport Stadium
Location in Canada
Full nameAllan A. Lamport Stadium
Location1151 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M6K 1E9
Coordinates 43°38′20″N79°25′23″W / 43.63889°N 79.42306°W / 43.63889; -79.42306
Public transit BSicon CLRV.svg   504   King
Owner City of Toronto
OperatorToronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Capacity 9,600
Field size110 x 75 m
Surface Artificial turf
Construction
Built1974–1975
OpenedSeptember 19, 1976;47 years ago (1976-09-19)
Renovated2007–2008, 2018
Tenants
Rugby League
Canada national rugby league team (2013–present)
Toronto Wolfpack (TWCC) (2017–present)
Rugby Union
Toronto Arrows (MLR) (2019)
Soccer
TFC Academy (CSL) (2008–2012)
SC Toronto (CSL) (2008–2012)
Toronto FC II (USL) (2018)
Internacional de Toronto (L1O) (2014)
Serbian White Eagles FC (CSL) (1975–79, 2014)
Lacrosse
Toronto Nationals (MLL) (2010)
Athletics
Ryerson Rams (U Sports) (2012)
Toronto Rush (Ultimate Frisbee Association) (2024)

Allan A. Lamport Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium on King Street West in the Liberty Village neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the practice facility for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. It is also partial home for Canada national rugby league team. The playing surface of the 9,600 seating capacity stadium is also dually marked for soccer and field hockey.[ citation needed ] The stadium was named for long-time Toronto politician Allan Lamport, who was associated with sporting activities in the city. [1]

Contents

History

Lamport Stadium began construction during the winter of 1974 on the site of the Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women. [2] [3] Construction was completed on July 1, 1975. [4] The stadium was originally set to open in April 1976 [5] [6] but was officially opened on September 19, 1976. [4]

Renovation works at Lamport Stadium in April 2008. Lamport Stadium Field.jpg
Renovation works at Lamport Stadium in April 2008.

As part of a deal with the city to convert BMO Field to natural grass, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment spent CA$1.2 million adding a winter bubble to Lamport Stadium in the winter of 2009–2010. [7] [8] [9] MLSE manages the operations of the facility during the winter season, when the field is covered by the dome and community soccer programs are held.

Facilities

Since opening in 1976, the playing surface has been artificial turf. [4] Lamport Stadium's indoor field measures 68 metres by 105 metres, allowing a full eleven-a-side game. [10]

Sports usage

Canadian football

The home games of the semi-professional American football team Toronto Athletics Football Team were played at the stadium from 1993 to 1996. The team provided players looking to keep playing sought to be scouted by professional gridiron football teams. The Athletics won the Mid-Continental League Championship in 1993, and was ranked as high as 9th over all in the American Semi Professional Football Rankings in 1995.[ citation needed ]

In 2018, the professional Canadian football team, the CFL's Toronto Argonauts, announced that they would use the stadium as their practice facility. [11]

Lacrosse

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

Soccer

Since the opening of Lamport Stadium the National Soccer League used the stadium as a home venue for many of its clubs based in Toronto. [12]

In 1980, Lamport was one of the hosts of a friendly tournament known as the Toronto International Soccer Cup which featured Benfica and Partizan Belgrade. [4]

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. Toronto FC II announced in August 2017 that it would move its home games from the Ontario Soccer Centre to BMO Field and Lamport Stadium beginning with the 2018 season. [13] However, with their drop to the division 3 USL League One for the 2019 season, the team moved their home games to BMO Training Ground. [14] The University of Toronto Schools high school team also uses Lamport Stadium as a practice field and for home games.

Rugby league

On 21 May 2012, it was announced that Lamport Stadium would be the new home of the Canada national rugby league team, the Wolverines. [15] 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 comeback from the Wolverines.[ citation needed ]

The stadium also hosted a professional rugby league club, the Toronto Wolfpack, which began playing there in 2017. [16]

The Toronto Wolfpack playing against the London Broncos at Lamport Stadium in 2018 Toronto Wolfpack v London Broncos 3 - June 9, 2018.jpg
The Toronto Wolfpack playing against the London Broncos at Lamport Stadium in 2018

On May 18, 2019, Lamport hosted the inaugural Americas 9s tournament. [17]

International matches

DateHomeScoreAwayCompetitionAttendance
July 21, 2012Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 18-12Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica Caribbean Carnival Cup4,630 [18]
August 11, 2012Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 36-18Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon Friendly2,300 [19]
October 6, 2012Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 4-68Flag of England.svg  England Friendly5,100
July 6, 2013Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 36-20Flag of the United States.svg  United States Colonial Cup 7,200 [20]
July 20, 2013Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 38-14Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica Caribbean Carnival Cup5,700 [21]
September 7, 2013Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 20-28Flag of the United States.svg  United States Colonial Cup 3,128 [22]
September 24, 2013Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 22-30Flag of the United States.svg  United States Colonial Cup 5,176 [23]
June 21, 2014Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 18-40 Air Force Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Air Force Friendly
July 5, 2014Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 12-36Flag of England.svg  England Friendly
July 19, 2014Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 24-20Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica Caribbean Carnival Cup3,129
August 9, 2014Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 52-14Flag of the United States.svg  United States Colonial Cup 7,356
August 20, 2016Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 6-38Flag of England.svg  England Friendly
September 3, 2016 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg East Canada18-22 Flag of England.svg England Young LionsFriendly
September 24, 2016Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 8-14Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2016 Americas Rugby League Championship,
Colonial Cup
October 15, 2016Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 10-22 Canberra colours.svg South Wales Ironmen Club vs. Country-
September 16, 2017Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 18-38Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2017 Americas Rugby League Championship [24]

Rugby union

In January 2019, Major League Rugby expansion team, the Toronto Arrows announced that they would split home games between Lamport Stadium and Alumni Field at York University for their inaugural season. [25] They were scheduled to play games at the stadium in 2020, but the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team moved their home games to York Lions Stadium for the 2022 season. [26]

Ultimate Frisbee

The Toronto Rush of the Ultimate Frisbee Association will play the 1st half of their 2024 home schedule at Lamport Stadium while their regular home stadium Varsity Stadium is undergoing renovations. [27]

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.[ citation needed ]

Homeless encampment

The area around the stadium became a homeless encampment for a period of time, but was cleared by police and city staff on July 21, 2021, resulting in arrests of both homeless people who had been staying there and protestors standing in solidarity with them. Images of police brutality from the incident were heavily circulated on various social media platforms as well as getting coverage from a variety of news outlets. [28] [29] [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Argonauts</span> Canadian professional football team

The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1873, the team is the oldest existing professional sports team in North America still using its original name, as well as the oldest-surviving team in both the modern-day CFL and East Division. The team's origins date back to a modified version of rugby football that emerged in North America in the latter half of the 19th century. The Argonauts played their home games at Rogers Centre from 1989 until 2016, when the team moved to BMO Field, the fifth stadium site to host the team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exhibition Stadium</span> Former multi-purpose stadium in Toronto

Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the grounds of Exhibition Place. Originally built for Canadian National Exhibition events, the stadium served as the home of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1959 to 1988, the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1977 to 1989, and the Toronto Blizzard of the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1979 to 1983. The stadium hosted the Grey Cup game 12 times over a 24-year period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varsity Stadium</span> Football stadium at the University of Toronto

Varsity Stadium is an outdoor collegiate football stadium located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is home to the Toronto Varsity Blues, the athletic teams of the University of Toronto. Athletic events have been hosted on the site since 1898; the current stadium was built in 2007 to replace the original permanent stadium built in 1911. Varsity Stadium is also a former home of the Toronto Argonauts, and has previously hosted the Grey Cup, the Vanier Cup, several matches of the 1976 Summer Olympics soccer tournament, and the final game of the North American Soccer League's 1984 Soccer Bowl series. It is located next to Varsity Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment</span> Canadian sports and real estate company

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE) is a professional sports and commercial real estate company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With assets that include franchises in four of the six major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, it is the largest sports and entertainment company in Canada, and one of the largest in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMO Field</span> Stadium in Toronto

BMO Field is an outdoor stadium located at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Constructed on the former Exhibition Stadium site and first opened in 2007, it is the home field of Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). BMO Field is owned by the City of Toronto and managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns both Toronto FC and the Argonauts. The stadium's naming rights are held by the Bank of Montreal, which is commonly branded as "BMO".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto FC</span> Professional soccer club in Canada

Toronto Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home matches at BMO Field, located at Exhibition Place on Toronto's shoreline west of Downtown Toronto. Toronto FC joined MLS in 2007 as an expansion team and was the first Canadian-based franchise in the league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birchmount Stadium</span>

Birchmount Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor sports facility in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located near Kingston Road and Birchmount Road in the former city of Scarborough. Its original capacity was 6,345, and it was built for what was then the Borough of Scarborough.

Monarch Park Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located near the intersection of Hanson Street and Coxwell Avenue next to Monarch Park Collegiate. Monarch Park Stadium is used mostly for amateur soccer, baseball, and athletics principally by the Toronto District School Board. Built in 1964, the stadium replaced baseball fields that existed before the school was built in the 1940s.

The 70th Grey Cup, also known as the "Rain Bowl", was the 1982 Grey Cup Canadian Football League championship game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Eskimos. The Eskimos, who were making their sixth consecutive appearance in the CFL championship game, defeated the Argonauts 32–16 on the Eskimos' way to their fifth straight Grey Cup. The game was played on Sunday, November 28, 1982, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multi-purpose stadium</span> Stadium designed for multifunctionality over specificity

A multi-purpose stadium is a type of stadium designed to be easily used for multiple types of events. While any stadium could potentially host more than one type of sport or event, this concept usually refers to a specific design philosophy that stresses multifunctionality over specificity. It is used most commonly in Canada and the United States, where the two most popular outdoor team sports—Canadian football or American football and baseball—require radically different facilities. Football uses a rectangular field, while baseball is played on a diamond with a large outfield. Since Canadian football fields are larger than American ones, the design specifications for Canadian facilities are somewhat less demanding. The particular design to accommodate both is usually an oval, although some later designs use an octorad. While building stadiums in this way means that sports teams and governments can share costs, it also presents some challenges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports in Toronto</span> Overview of sports traditions and activities in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has a long history of sport. It is home to a number of clubs, including the Granite Club, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, the Argonaut Rowing Club, Toronto Argonauts football club, the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club, and the Badminton and Racquet Club. A number of heritage venues have developed in Toronto such as: Christie Pits, Coca-Cola Coliseum, Varsity Arena, and Maple Leaf Gardens. Toronto is also the location of the Canadian Football League's headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton Nationals</span>

The Hamilton Nationals were a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season in Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian MLL team. In 2009, they played their home games at BMO Field, which is also home to Major League Soccer's Toronto FC but moved to the smaller Lamport Stadium for the 2010 season. On February 3, 2011, the Nationals announced that they were relocating to Hamilton, Ontario, and would play their home games at Ron Joyce Stadium on the campus of McMaster University. On 21 November 2013, MLL announced that the team would not participate in the 2014 season, with most of the players being transferred to the expansion Florida Launch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alumni Field (York University)</span>

Alumni Field is an outdoor football, rugby and soccer stadium located at York University's Keele Campus in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the former home of the York Lions. The stadium was known as York Stadium prior to 2017. The Toronto Arrows split its home games at Alumni Field and Lamport Stadium during its inaugural 2019 Major League Rugby season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Hortons Field</span> Multi-purpose stadium in Hamilton, Canada

Tim Hortons Field, nicknamed "The Donut Box",; is a multi-purpose stadium in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Built as a replacement for Ivor Wynne Stadium, Tim Hortons Field is primarily used for Canadian football and soccer, and is the home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League and Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League. During the 2015 Pan American Games, it was referred to as CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium. The stadium opened in September 2014, two months after its original anticipated completion date of June 30, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York Lions Stadium</span> Outdoor sports venue in Toronto, Ontario

York Lions Stadium is an outdoor sports stadium on the Keele Campus of Toronto's York University in the former city of North York. It is home to the York Lions, the varsity teams of York University, the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby and York United of the Canadian Premier League. The facility was primarily built for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, where it hosted track and field events and the opening ceremony. In 2021, the stadium's running track was removed to expand the playing surface used for football and soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMO Training Ground</span>

BMO Training Ground is the practice facility of Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) and its minor league reserve team Toronto FC II of MLS Next Pro, and the home of the TFC Academy of League1 Ontario and MLS Next. The facility, which opened in 2012 and features a stadium with 1000 seats, is located at Downsview Park, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto FC II</span> Canadian soccer team

Toronto FC II is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, who play in MLS Next Pro, a third tier league of the United States soccer league system. It is the reserve team and minor league affiliate of Toronto FC as well as in partnership with Toronto FC Academy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Wolfpack</span> Canadian rugby league team

The Toronto Wolfpack RLFC is a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario. The club is the first and only professional rugby league club in North America, and as of 2023 competes in the self sponsored Canada Cup, an invitational league for North American teams organised by Toronto Wolfpack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Arrows</span> Professional rugby union team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Arrows R.F.C. was a rugby union club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that played in Major League Rugby. The Arrows team was an independent off-shoot of the Ontario Blues provincial programme and was funded by a group of private investors and supporters. They are currently on hiatus following the 2023 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Toronto Argonauts season</span> CFL team season

The 2023 Toronto Argonauts season was the 65th season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 150th year of existence. The Argonauts entered the season as defending champions following their victory in the 109th Grey Cup. The team attempted to win their league-leading 19th Grey Cup championship, but were defeated by the Montreal Alouettes in the East Final.

References

  1. ↑ Best, Michael (June 25, 1975). "Allan Lamport's work deserves a memorial". The Toronto Star. Toronto. p. D1.
  2. ↑ "Stadium named for Allan Lamport". The Toronto Star. Toronto. June 14, 1974. p. A8.
  3. ↑ "Government loan launches stadium on old Mercer site". The Toronto Star. Toronto. October 31, 1974. p. C3.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Vujcic, Djuradj (October 25, 2021). "The Time Partizan Played in Toronto". Urban Book Circle. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  5. ↑ UNBC photo
  6. ↑ TPL photo
  7. ↑ "Upgrades to BMO Field at Exhibition Place and Allan Lamport Stadium" (PDF). City of Toronto government. September 22, 2009. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Upgrades to BMO Field at Exhibition Place and Allan Lamport Stadium" (PDF). City of Toronto government. September 9, 2009. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Grass at BMO Field Attains Final Approval". Major League Soccer. January 23, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Lamport Stadium". Ontario Soccer Association. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Argonauts to relocate football-operations staff". The Sports Network. June 1, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  12. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (June 13, 1975). "One league in control of city's new stadium". Toronto Star . p. C1.
  13. ↑ Kelly, Tim (August 29, 2017). "TFC II leaving Vaughan for Toronto after 3-season run; stadium size at issue". Vaughan Citizen. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Toronto FC II 2019 USL League One Regular Season Schedule Announced". Toronto FC. December 10, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  15. ↑ RLFC, Canada (May 21, 2012). "Canada Wolverines to take on the World at Lamport Stadium". Canada RLFC News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Rugby Football League officials joined by Mayor John Tory to unveil team brand and league information". April 25, 2016. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Inaugural Americas Nines tournament in Toronto | Rugby League Planet". March 4, 2019.
  18. ↑ "RLEF". Rlef.eu.com. July 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  19. ↑ "RLEF". Rlef.eu.com. August 11, 2012. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Canada comes from behind to beat the USA 36-20". Canadarugbyleague.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  21. ↑ "RLEF". Rlef.eu.com. July 20, 2013. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  22. ↑ "RLEF". Rlef.eu.com. September 7, 2013. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  23. ↑ "USA edge Canada in Colonial cup decider". Canadarugbyleague.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  24. ↑ "USA Hawks defeat Canada to lift Americas Championship". Rugby League International Federation. September 20, 2017. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Toronto Arrows to split Major League Rugby home games between York and Lamport". National Post. January 17, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Arrows Announce 2022 Regular Season Schedule". Toronto Arrows. November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Toronto Rush to Split 2024 Home Games at Historic Lamport & Varsity Stadiums". April 23, 2024.
  28. ↑ Patton, Rocca, Jessica, Ryan. "26 arrested as City of Toronto officials, police move to clear Lamport Stadium encampment". Global News. Retrieved March 3, 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ↑ "26 arrested at Toronto's Lamport Stadium park as city, police clear encampment". CBC News. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  30. ↑ Manisha, Krishnan (July 22, 2021). "Toronto Cops Say They Did 'Tremendous Job' After Beating People, Destroying Homeless Camp". Vice World News. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.