Pitch for pro soccer team, stadium in Kingston met with both support and opposition [Video]

A proposal to build a multi-sport stadium and bring a professional soccer team to Kingston, Ont., has won some fans, but is also up against plenty of opponents who fear the project will cost the community.

Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) is pitching a turf field, which would be covered by a dome in winter, at the Memorial Centre in the city’s core. The company said it wants to enter into a long-term lease for part of the site in order to woo a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams. The facility would also be available for local groups.

The plan offers “exponential benefit from tourism to businesses,” according to VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau, who said the stadium wouldn’t require any money from taxpayers.

“In fact, the exact opposite,” he said during an interview with Ontario Morninghost Nav Nanwa. “I’m actually looking to pay the taxpayers in a lease …