IMO a growing population means overpopulated servers. I already have to wait to get on during peak times with that crazy cool down pw timer. The servers can only handle what the donators are already donating for slot space. Maybe this is a dilluted point since perhaps more players means more donators, but I would imagine the % of players who actually donate is very small anyways vs the actual player base. I would imagine the real donators are the ones providing the servers, and what is provided is probably all they are comfortable providing. I'd donate monthly to a real low ping server for me. But I'm just one guy. But ya, not arguing a point, because it could really be looked at either way right? No definitive right answer imo. But if Gorath is ready to roll, a Seattle server is awesome!
I just started playing not to long ago... Right now I have the cash flow to rent multiple servers and keep them hosted for years with out any support from donations or wherever. Am I willing to so? Not yet, I'm not sure this mod is going in a positive growth direction. Right now I seeing a struggling community, bickering, accusations of admin abuse, accusations of favoritism in form of nerfs from the dev no less(not that this is true)etc etc.. We'll see if this continues on a new server.
The issue of more players is no brainier. More players will no doubt bring in more money for servers. With that you'll want to make as many people satisfied, and I'm sorry but Seattle Wa, even with the weight of Canada behind it, is a minority area. It's tiny compared to the Southern/Western States. Just look at the population charts.
In any case since I'm not willing shell out the cash for a server myself ultimately it's up Gorath and if indeed a he chooses Seatle that's fine, I'll get lower pings and I'm sure that some others will as well.