The city of Vancouver and Major League Soccer's Whitecaps have agreed to pursue plans for a new stadium, which could help prevent a move out of the city if the team is sold.

Under a memorandum of understanding announced Thursday, the city and the team will exclusively negotiate the terms for development of a stadium and entertainment district in the Hastings Park area over the next year.

The agreement comes as the Whitecaps' lease with BC Place expires at the end of this year and the team seeks a new lease with more favorable terms. The Whitecaps have also been up for sale for the past year, with no guarantee that a new buyer would keep the team in Vancouver.

Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said the MOU was a first step in making sure the team stays. Other details, including t

See Full Page