A Vision for Portland’s Waterfront
Hearts of Pine Soccer Club has revealed a sweeping plan to erect a new stadium at Cassidy Point in Portland, Maine, turning an idle industrial parcel into a vibrant, year‑round waterfront destination that will serve both fans and the broader community.
President Kevin Schohl described the site as a “transformative opportunity” for the city, likening it to the club’s front porch, and emphasized that the project will be developed in close partnership with civic leaders and neighboring residents to ensure it complements the existing Western Waterfront landscape.
While the club’s temporary home, Fitzpatrick Stadium, will continue to host matches during the construction phase, its recent sell‑out crowds — regularly exceeding 6,000 attendees and backed by an 8,000‑person season‑ticket waitlist — underscore the deep demand for live soccer in Maine, a demand further amplified by the rapid sell‑out of USL W team season‑ticket deposits.
The development is expected to cost more than $50 million and will be financed largely through private investment, allowing the club to retain the lively, festival‑like atmosphere of its current venue while expanding capacity and modernizing amenities.
Founding partner Jonathan Culley highlighted the importance of an urban stadium that energizes the city’s core, and noted that the initiative aligns with Portland’s Plan 2030, which seeks to broaden public waterfront access and foster recreational and investment opportunities along the Western Waterfront. Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with the stadium poised to open in early 2029.