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Canadian Premier League Announces Expansion in Saskatchewan
Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. awarded exclusive rights to launch a CPL expansion team
Toronto, ON / Saskatoon, SK (March 12, 2021) – The Canadian Premier League (CPL) is pleased to announce they have awarded the exclusive rights to a CPL expansion club to Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. (LSSE), a Saskatchewan based company. The launch of an expansion club is contingent upon LSSE delivering a soccer-specific stadium to League standards, and to that end, LSSE has identified Prairieland Park in Saskatoon as a preferred site for a stadium.
“On behalf of the Board of Governors, we are pleased to make this announcement today as we know we have a very supportive and engaged community of soccer fans in Saskatchewan and have since we launched the League,” said David Clanachan, Commissioner, Canadian Premier League. “We are extremely hopeful that LSSE will be able to meet the League soccer-specific stadium requirements so that we can begin celebrating Canadian soccer in Saskatoon.”
Alan Simpson, Founder of LSSE and a life-long resident of Saskatchewan will head the effort to bring a CPL club to Saskatchewan. LSSE ownership group may further include Founding Partners and Community Partners with LSSE acting as the Managing Partner.
“We are excited about being part of the Canadian Premier League’s expansion plans for Saskatchewan,” said Alan Simpson principal of LSSE. “Signing the Agreement in Principle gives us the opportunity to bring the CPL and professional soccer to the province. By acquiring the exclusive rights to a CPL expansion club, we can immediately begin work on our first task, which is the development and financing of a soccer-ready stadium, suitable to CPL league wide standards, but more importantly, begin supporting the dream many Canadian kids have of playing pro soccer in their own province and country,” Simpson added. “We think Prairieland Park in Saskatoon is an ideal location for a stadium – it already possesses many key attributes that would contribute to the long-term viability of a pro soccer team in Saskatchewan.”
Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation is a membership based, non-profit corporation, first established as an agricultural society in 1886. Located in the Exhibition neighbourhood of the south-eastern portion of Saskatoon. Prairieland Park offers a variety of event facilities.
“When Prairieland was approached about the possibility of a soccer stadium at the Park, we felt compelled to consider whether such an infrastructure project could enhance the long-term sustainability of the Park, as well as contribute meaningfully to the City of Saskatoon,” Mark Regier CEO of Prairieland Park commented. “While we have not come to a definitive answer, Prairieland has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LSSE. The signing of the MOU, therefore, marks the end of thoroughbred racing at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon. We feel it is our responsibility to embrace the possibility of new opportunities and address the rapid pace of change in our core businesses and services. We look forward to working with LSSE to understand whether a stadium at Prairieland is in our best long-term interests.”
About the Canadian Premier League
Canadian Premier League (CPL) is Canada’s professional men’s soccer league that debuted on April 27, 2019. Headquartered in Toronto, ON, the Canadian Premier League features eight clubs from coast-to-coast. For updates and more information on the CPL, a league for Canadians by Canadians, visit CanPL.ca.
Connect with us on Twitter: @CPLsoccer and #CanPL
About LSSE and Alan Simpson
Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. is a Saskatchewan based company specifically incorporated for the purpose of launching a professional soccer club for the Province of Saskatchewan. LSSE has entered into an agreement with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) and acquired the exclusive rights for the development and launch of a Canadian Premier League (CPL) team. The founder and CEO of LSSE is Alan Simpson a life-long resident of Saskatchewan.
Alan is also a founder of StorageVault Canada – publicly traded on the TSXV with $1.5 billion market capitalization. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer and currently a director and Chair of the Acquisition Committee. He is also co-founder, together with SaskTel, of Hospitality Network Canada. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer until 2005 and Chairman from 2011 -2018. Connect with LSSE at lsse.ca, on Twitter @livingskysports1, on Facebook @livingskysports and on Instagram @livingskysports.
About Prairieland Park
Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation is a membership based, non-profit corporation, first established as an agricultural society in 1886, the same year the first annual fair was held in Saskatoon.
Since its earliest days as a centre for agricultural excellence, Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has evolved into a provincial leader in the development of trade shows, conferences, special events, industry expositions, concerts, cabarets, and more! With more than $16 million in infrastructure enhancement in recent years, Prairieland Park has become one of Canada’s premier venues.
The 136-acre park features easy access, ample on-site parking, within an approximate five-minute drive from downtown Saskatoon and offering over 200,000 square feet of world class meeting, trade show, and conference space … Saskatchewan’s largest all-under-one-roof trade exposition space.
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For more information please contact:
Micki Benedetti
Canadian Premier League
micki.benedetti@canpl.ca