Sports: Fraser Valley & Vancouver's Competitive Sports scene
Vancouver has some great opportunities to watch somebody ELSE sweat it out, with some top-level competitive athletes.
B.C. Lions
This is Vancouver’s team in the Canadian Football League. The team was begun in 1941 as the Vancouver Grizzlies in the Western Inter-provincial Football Union, and became the BC Lions in 1954. The Lions have won three Grey Cups: 1964, 1985 and 1994. The team plays at BC Place, with a season running from June until October, plus the play-offs. An exciting way to spend a summer evening with friends. 289-0205.
Vancouver Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies are the city’s team in the National Basketball Association (since 1995), playing teams from all over the United States (plus arch-rival Toronto Raptors). Their season lasts from February until June (plus playoffs). Its not ,just the games, but you can also watch the Grizzlies Extreme Dance Team. The Grizzlies play in the 18,442 seat GM Place, right beside the BC Place Skytrain Station.
Vancouver Canucks Hockey
Vancouver’s team in the National Hockey League has been a close Stanley Cup contender for several years. The season runs from September until April, plus playoffs. The team, begun in the 1970-71 season is now owned by Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment , which also owns its arena, General Motors Place. The team has played in the 19,193 seat GM Place since 1995, right beside the BC Place Skytrain Station.
Vancouver Canadians
The Canadians are Vancouver’s team in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, playing out of the Nat Bailey Stadium (Ontario St. at 41st Ave.). Canadians, playing baseball (under various names) since 1952, are a farm team to the Oakland Athletics in the National League. Their regular season extends from April until late August, and with reasonable-priced tickets, they a perfect summer evening's family entertainment. (604) 872-5232.
Vancouver 86ers
This team in the US Indoor Soccer League (USISL) plays at the 4,800-seat Swangard Stadium. The name commemorates both the founding of the club (in 1986) and the founding of the city of Vancouver (in 1886).In 1998 the club launched the 86ers Youth Development Program, which sees over 100 top players aged 8 to 16 receive year-round professional training.
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (NE)
"UBC" fields several top national teams, all called the " Thunderbirds ," after the symbol at the top of many native totem poles. The teams are all top grade, winning national championships and providing players for many national and Olympic teams. The home playing field is Thunderbird Stadium on the UBC Endowment Lands.
Hastings Park Raceway
Hastings Park Raceway hosts the Lower Mainland’s thoroughbred racing season from early April to early November. The facility dates back to 1889, and now has a covered grandstand and offers fine dining for race fans.
Fraser Downs
Harness racing (where the jockey rides the cart behind the horse) is hosted at Fraser Downs from October to April.
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