Mayor Stew Young said LangfordB次元官网网址檚 planned expansion of Starlight Stadium should be able to attract lots of other events in the future, as Rugby Canada announced the womenB次元官网网址檚 sevens would be moved to Vancouver starting in 2023.

Jamie Levchuk, interim chief executive office of Rugby Canada, said its governing body World Rugby asked them to combine the tournaments for scheduling purposes. Canada was the last leg of the series that held separate menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 events.

Young said because of this he knew it may happen and he understood the decision, but that itB次元官网网址檚 unfortunate for local fans.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really popular and we have a rugby crazy crowd in southern Vancouver Island and especially in Langford. People love their rugby. So weB次元官网网址檙e excited about still working with them. Obviously, we understand their decision, but weB次元官网网址檙e a little bit disappointed because it was such fun to have the WomenB次元官网网址檚 Sevens there. But weB次元官网网址檒l support their decision and move forward and weB次元官网网址檒l look at getting other events, larger events, coming.B次元官网网址�

Young said the cityB次元官网网址檚 stadium expansion, which he hoped could be completed within the year, would see the capacity reach 10,000 people, allowing bigger events to be held in Langford.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l be getting some really big events that will be coming there B次元官网网址� concerts and otherwise B次元官网网址� so you donB次元官网网址檛 have to travel to Vancouver to go watch a concert or a game or anything, weB次元官网网址檒l try and bring it over.B次元官网网址�

Young pointed to events like the womenB次元官网网址檚 rugby 15s game versus Italy in July and said the city has been adding more events at the stadium in recent years. In the coming months, the city is holding its own Canada Day events at the stadium, as well as the Langford Beer Festival in July and Brewery and the Beast in September.

ALSO READ: WomenB次元官网网址檚 sevens rugby event shifts from Langford to Vancouver for 2023