Friday July 30, 2021 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
Live soccer returns to Langford tonight with Pacific FC’s first home match of the 2021 season and the team’s inaugural kick off at the newly named Starlight Stadium (formerly Westhills Stadium).
The Canadian Premier League began play in a bubble format in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 26, with each club playing their first eight matches. Pacific FC sits in second place returning home where they face Calgary’s Cavalry FC tonight at 6:30 pm.
Almost 700 days:
“We are excited to welcome fans to Starlight Stadium after a 689-day break from playing at home,” said Brad Norris-Jones, Vice President of Operations, Pacific FC. “The response from the community has been tremendous and we have worked closely with Island Health and the City of Langford on all health and safety protocols.”
Stadium can hold 5,000 within public health restrictions:
Up to 5,000 fans are permitted to attend Starlight Stadium with rigorous COVID protocol in place.
Vaccination without appointment:
Island Health will be onsite with the Vax Van; the mobile vaccination clinic offers first-dose COVID-19 vaccines without a prior appointment. The Vax Van will be located in the northwest corner of Starlight Stadium (alongside Langford Parkway) from 6 pm through 8:30 pm.
New and returning players:
On the pitch, the Pacific FC squad is a combination of new and returning players under the leadership of Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah. In the eight matches played in Winnipeg, standout performances were seen from forward Marco Bustos, newly acquired Ollie Bassett of the UK and Island-born Josh Heard.
Pacific FC has not yet met Calgary this season; Cavalry FC falls just behind Pacific in the standings in third place.
Activities at the stadium:
Starlight Stadium is primed and ready for visitors with food and beverage vendors and a Kids Zone. Pacific FC organizers suggestion to beat the long weekend traffic by heading to the beer garden early (it opens at 4:30 pm). Half-time giveaways include The Cookie Guys and BCLC (lottery).
Stay tuned to pacificfc.ca and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Island Social Trends will do a followup event report here.
