CHESTER, Pa. -- The long-awaited stadium groundbreaking finally came to fruition. Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber joined Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC CEO and operating partner Nick Sakiewicz along with local and state officials to officially break ground on the 18,500-seat stadium for Philadelphia's MLS club.
The stadium site will be constructed at the foot of the Commodore Barry Bridge, just 13 miles from downtown Philadelphia. The multi-purpose stadium will feature an 11,000-square-foot club, 30 suites, a built-in concert stage for world-class music shows and a special 2,000-seat zone for the Sons of Ben supporters club when the Philadelphia team begins play in 2010. The new structure will also have a waterfront park and plaza used not only stadium entry, but also for city sponsored events such as festivals.
"The groundbreaking of this new, first-class soccer stadium -- the eighth such stadium in Major League Soccer -- is a historic moment for the city of Chester and soccer fans in the United States," Garber said. "Philadelphia is one of the most passionate sports markets in the country and we are excited that they will be joining the league in 2010."
This stadium is the centerpiece of a $500 million entertainment, retail, residential and commercial development covering more than 100 acres along the historic Delaware River waterfront. Because of the addition of the stadium, an estimated 700 jobs will be created. An additional 1,900 jobs will also be created for the entire plan, creating about 2,600 new jobs combined.
"I can't express how truly honored we are to have such passionate and dedicated fans who come out to support us, even before we have a stadium," Sakiewicz said. "But as passionate as they are, we are equally passionate about this game, about this team and about this community. The stadium is the linchpin for this redevelopment project which will serve as an economic stimulus in these uncertain times to revitalize the city of Chester and the region. That is why we already have invested over $10 million into the stadium site in advance of other local and state dollars."
After the groundbreaking, Garber was asked about the significance of this event. It only took him a second to answer.
"This is one of the great historical moments for the sport nationally and locally for the Philadelphia region," Garber said. "This is such a passionate soccer market. They have a terrific ownership and stadium plan in place and we applaud their entire group. It's all good around here."
Officials, team supporters and area residents also attended this monumental announcement. As usual, the Sons of Ben were as passionate as ever.
This passion extends through every party involved with the stadium project.
"This is a great day for the city of Chester, for Delaware County, and for the entire region," said Pennsylvania Sen. Dominic Pileggi. "It marks another step in the transformation of the Delaware River waterfront from an industrial zone to a residential area with entertainment facilities. A lot of work was done by a lot of people to reach this point, and I am proud to play a role in the effort."
Chester Mayor Wendell Butler might have been the proudest person of all.
"I said it before and I'll keep saying it in that you need to pinch me," Butler said. "I need to know it's still real. I know it's real because I'm here, but here in Chester ... whew, I'm just overwhelmed. This is incredible, beyond any of my wildest dreams. To see Chester benefit from all this just makes my heart warm. I'm going to bed tonight so happy. When I wake up in the morning, you'll probably have to pinch me again."
No need to do that. The project is real.
"We've been working on this behind the scenes for so long," Sakiewicz said. "We're ecstatic to get this process going. The city of Chester wanted us and it's great to be wanted. We're so happy to be here for this stadium groundbreaking."
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