The City of Kelowna is aiming to introduce a professional soccer team by 2028. Mayor Tom Dyas and city officials, in collaboration with the Canadian Premier League (CPL), discussed plans for this endeavor. Key priorities include securing an ownership group and investing up to $25 million to enhance the Apple Bowl, the city’s main multi-sport stadium, to meet CPL expansion requirements.
Mayor Dyas highlighted the positive impact of hosting events on Kelowna’s economy, citing recent events like B.C. Lions football games and the Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup. The proposed upgrades for the Apple Bowl include a new 3,000-seat grandstand, enhanced facilities like locker rooms and a broadcast center, a scoreboard, and the conversion to artificial turf.
Approval for the funding of these enhancements will be sought in the upcoming city budget, following the fall election. Dyas is set to run again, facing competition from contenders such as businessperson Emily Salsbury and former MP Ron Cannan, who is also a city councillor.
The CPL, established in 2019 as Canada’s premier men’s soccer league, aims to expand the sport domestically. CPL executive vice-president Marni Dicker commended Kelowna’s progress towards hosting a team, emphasizing the importance of securing an ownership group for the initiative. The league looks forward to engaging with potential investors to make Kelowna a future CPL host city.