Starlight Stadium

Starlight Stadium (formerly Westhills Stadium) is a 6,000 seat multi-purpose stadium in Langford, British Columbia, Canada. It is used by Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League for soccer, by Rugby Canada for various events, and by the Westshore Rebels junior Canadian football team. In an international context, its most notable usage is as the site of the Canada Women's Sevens, an event in the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series for national rugby sevens teams. The stadium also hosted the BC Bears of the Canadian Rugby Championship from 2009 to 2013, and the Victoria Highlanders soccer team from 2009 to 2011.

Starlight Stadium
Starlight Stadium in 2022
Former namesBear Mountain Stadium
(2009–2012)
Westhills Stadium
(2012–2021)
Address1089 Langford Pkwy, Victoria, BC V9B 0A5
Coordinates48°26′35″N 123°31′25″W
Elevation123 m (404 ft)
Public transitBC Transit routes 39, 46, 58, 65
ParkingParking at Langford City Centre Park
OwnerCity of Langford
OperatorCity of Langford
Executive suites18
Capacity6,000
SurfaceFieldTurf
Construction
Opened2009 (2009)
Expanded2019 (2019)
Construction costCA$3 million
Tenants
Rugby Canada 2009–present
Westshore Rebels (CJFL) 2009–present
Pacific FC (CPL) 2019–present
BC Bears (CRC) 2009–2013
Victoria Highlanders (PDL) 2009–2011
Website
Starlight Stadium at Langford.ca

The main stadium seats 6,000 and has 18 VIP suites, four change rooms, officials' rooms, concession, storage, and public washrooms. The field is built to FIFA 2-Star and World Rugby specifications, able to accommodate soccer, football, and rugby matches.[1] Before expansion in 2019, the stadium had 1,600 permanent seats.[2]

Secondary field

There is a second artificial turf field about 100 metres (330 ft) to the west named Goudy Field that has seating for 1,500.[3] This second full-sized field is also FIFA 2-Star rated and can accommodate the Canadian Rugby Association football codes.[4][5]

History

Starlight Stadium at City Centre Park was opened in 2009 as Bear Mountain Stadium. On September 29, 2012, the name was changed to Westhills Stadium after a land development company.[6]

On July 20, 2018, It was first announced that Westhills would host Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League beginning in 2019. The stadium underwent renovations to increase capacity to 6,000 and provide additional amenities.[7][8][9]

On March 27 and 31, 2020, the Canadian men's national soccer team was scheduled to play two friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago at Westhills. On March 13, 2020, these matches were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.[10]

In April 2021, the stadium was renamed to Starlight Stadium after a five-year naming rights deal. Toronto-based Starlight Investments will pay more than CA$500,000 for the rights with about 85% going to Pacific FC and the rest to the City of Langford.[11]

Rugby union
DateAwayScoreHomeAttendance
February 4, 2017Argentina XV 20–6 Canada2,000
February 11, 2017Chile 15–36 Canada1,509
February 17, 2018Brazil 5–45 Canada1,500
February 22, 2019Chile 0–56 Canada1,000
March 1, 2019Argentina XV 39–23 Canada—

See also

References
  1. Dept., Lanford Parks (2009). "British Columbia: Province Cup 1922–1941" (PDF). City of Langford 2009 Annual Report. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  2. "Langford To Build Its Own Stadium". Victoria Times Colonist.
  3. "Rugby Canada eyes Langford stadium". Victoria Times Colonist.
  4. Dept., Lanford Parks (2010). "British Columbia: Province Cup 1922–1941" (PDF). City of Langford 2010 Annual Report. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  5. "City of Langford - City Centre Park". www.langford.ca.
  6. Annicchiarico, Mario (September 29, 2012). "Bear Mountain Stadium takes Westhills name". The Victoria Times Colonist. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  7. "Stadium Profile: Pacific FC". pacificfc.canpl.ca. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  8. "Victoria is in for CanPL: League exploring "several opportunities" on Lower Mainland". The 11. June 1, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  9. Dheensaw, Cleve. "Greater Victoria to get pro soccer team next year". Times Colonist. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  10. "Canada Soccer cancels upcoming CanMNT friendlies at Westhills Stadium". Pacific FC. March 13, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  11. Dheensaw, Cleve (April 15, 2021). "Starlight era begins at Langford stadium". Times Colonist. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
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