http://www.bcplacestadium.com/images/big_bcplace.jpg

http://www.bcplacestadium.com/images/big_greycup99game.jpg


New roof by 2010
Crown corporation that runs BC Place studying options

Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, March 05, 2008

There will be a new roof on BC Place in time for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

But whether it will be the familiar air-supported roof that has graced Vancouver's skyline for 25 years, or a more modern open-centre roof has not yet been decided.

David Podmore, the chairman of PavCo, which owns BC Place, confirmed Wednesday the Crown corporation plans to replace the roof in the next 700 days, in time for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

He said the corporation is looking at a number of options: an identical inflated teflon dome, a rigid covering, a fixed fabric roof, a retractable fabric roof, or one with an open centre.

Podmore would not say how much the new roof would cost, but pledged it will be recovered through the development of condominium towers on property Pavco owns at the corners of the stadium.

That project [to redevelop surrounding stadium lands], which has not yet received city council approval, is still in the concept stage and would not start until after the Games, he said.

A report assessing the options for the roof is nearly complete and will be sent to the provincial cabinet within a month, he said.

If he had his choice, Podmore said, he'd swap the air-supported dome for a more efficient retractable open-centre roof that would free Pavco of crippling energy bills that exceed $1.4 million a year.

"I think it is pretty obvious that if we could get rid of the air-supported feature, that would be great. It does impose constraints on the building in terms of what you can do," he said.

"I think if we are able to get there, we would more than likely cover the seating and hopefully have an opening over the centre field."

Podmore said Pavco's choices will be limited to options that can be completed in time for the Games.

"Obviously, we wouldn't undertake it if we weren't confident it could be done."

He also said only proven technology will be chosen.

"There are different systems around the world. I will tell you that we are looking at proven technology," he said. "We don't really want to invent something."

Because BC Place was built to support an inflatable roof, changing the roof system would also require structural changes and upgrades, including "beefing up" support structures, he said.

"The technical answer is that this building is designed to work in compression, so that everything is working to pull that building in," Podmore explained.

"If you introduce a system that places a load on that compression ring, the tendency is that is pushing the building out."

An engineering assessment of the building is being done. Pavco has also hired Dominion Construction as a construction manager.

Pavco officials began exploring options for a new roof last summer, following the accidental deflation of the dome in January 2007 when an end panel blew out. The accident sharpened debate about whether the stadium should be torn down or retained.

Ultimately, the government decided the province needs a stadium the size of BC Place and that it made no economic sense to take it down.

"I think the accident, if it did anything, was to make a lot of people think about this building," Podmore said. "My own impression is that people sort of ignored the building and that it brought them to think about it and realize it's a pretty valuable building."

Pavco asked for tenders for replacing the current roof from the three companies in the world that build air-supported structures - Bird Air, Fabri-tec and Hi-Tec. But it also decided to look at whether a more modern form of roof could be built.

"We have those bids and we are currently evaluating them. We are also looking at other options," Podmore said. "We are trying to assess the full range of options for the building, what the cost of those might be and the timetable for construction."

Warren Buckley, the CEO of Pavco, said the corporation looked at a number of stadiums around the world, including the Pusan Dome in Korea, the new Durban soccer arena and the Commerce Bank stadium in Frankfurt, as well as Wimbledon, which is being covered with a retractable roof.

All of those use technology that didn't exist when BC Place was built in 1983.

"I think the reality is that there are other treatments and opportunities for us now that didn't exist before that are really quite exciting," he said.

By converting to a retractable roof, Pavco would eliminate a major drain on its finances. Podmore said the cost of keeping the roof inflated is roughly the same as the corporation's $1.4 million annual deficit, which is covered by provincial taxpayers.

Podmore said the decision to replace the roof isn't being driven by the Olympics, but rather by the fact the teflon dome is at the end of its functional lifespan.

"It served us really well and it shouldn't be a surprise to anybody that it needs to be replaced. It's no different than your own home," he said. "There is a maximum of about four years before we have to replace it. So what we are endeavouring to do is to replace it before the Games."


© Vancouver Sun

That said, this is an incredible development!



Warren Buckley, the CEO of Pavco, said the corporation looked at a number of stadiums around the world, including the (1) Pusan Dome in Korea, the new (2) Durban soccer arena and the (3) Commerce Bank stadium in Frankfurt, as well as (4) Wimbledon, which is being covered with a retractable roof.

1) Pusan Dome, Korea (or rather more commonly known as Busan Stadium). It is obviously a fabric roof.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1890000/images/_1892766_busan3002.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1016/681057746_6b826697cc.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/147530466_8ce2c79643.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/147530433_3a32130e5e.jpg








2) Durban Stadium - South Africa World Cup Stadium in 2010. It appears that the roof is also fabric.
http://satwentyten.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/durbanstadiumview3.jpg

http://www.2010safwc.com/King%20Senzangakhona%20Stadium%20Durban,%20South%20Africa.jpg

http://www.stantgsm.com/extra/Pics/cam18_nacht_02.jpg







3) Frankfurt Stadium - retractable fabric roof
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/25/37745529_43a37e2a71.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/172214506_6683c9a627_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/172213353_97ef7f6a33.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/118172750_893b024d2b.jpg

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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/28/61090310_98e8687132.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/405090500_56036e148a.jpg







4) Wimbledon - rigid retractable roof

http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ianwylie/centreroof2300-thumb.jpg

http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ianwylie/Roof%20Closing%202%20outside%20view300-thumb.jpg

http://www.construct2012.co.uk/jpeg/290/6008054.jpeg




I'm personally really digging something like the first three options: Busan, Durban, and Frankfurt.....and especially Frankfurt if we decide to go with the retractable roof route. Not so much of a fan of Wimbledon, not to mention it would be costly to build....and we wouldn't be able to build it in time for 2010 considering it's a rigid steel structure.

This is really awesome! In all honesty, BC Place in its current format is POS. However, with a simple roof overhaul like the one in Frankfurt and Durban will make it world class. It never made sense to me as to why Vancouver has a fully covered stadium in the first place. Whenever I think of Vancouver, I think about outdoorsy types of activities. An outdoor stadium fits that bill perfectly.

Also, in addition to the heating cost, money can also be recouped through a stadium naming deal.

Is the Wimbledon roof already built or U/C?

Retractable BC Place roof could cost $150 million

Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, March 06, 2008

Replacing the inflated roof at BC Place with a retractable one would cost $150 million or more and be one of the most ambitious retrofits of an air-supported stadium roof, according to the primary supplier of such systems in North America.

Peter Fervoy, the business development manager for Minneapolis-based Uni-Systems, said his company has already been asked by Birdair, the manufacturer of BC Place's signature Teflon-coated roof, to supply detailed information about how a retractable roof could be installed on the iconic Vancouver building.

And a Birdair official confirmed Thursday that PavCo, the Crown corporation that owns the world's largest air-supported stadium, is also considering new "green building" technologies including photo-voltaic solar panels with which to generate electricity.

Fervoy didn't know how much it would cost to replace BC Place's 500,000-square-foot soft-top roof with a rigid structure, but said his company has installed many of the fabric and retractable roofs on new football stadiums built in the U.S. On average, those roofs cost about $150 million each.

Even if BC Place opts to install a fixed fabric roof without a retractable section, the cost would likely start at around $100 million, he said.

"That would be a good starting point," Fervoy said, adding that changing the roof system on an existing stadium would be more complicated than on one being built new.

On Wednesday David Podmore, the chairman of PavCo, confirmed the corporation is exploring replacing the 26-year-old dome with a number of options, including a fabric structure that could include retractable panels. Regardless of whether a new roof system is used or the existing fabric is replaced, PavCo still intends to finish it in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

He would not discuss the cost of a new or replacement roof, saying a feasibility report has not been completed.

Tourism Minister Stan Hagen said Thursday he expects PavCo to submit the report to cabinet within a month. He confirmed the province intends to replace the roof before the Olympics.

Fervoy said PavCo requires the new roof to be finished by November 2009, when the building would be turned over to the Vancouver Organizing Committee. Meeting such a tight schedule is possible but difficult, he said, especially since companies doing such work are extremely busy right now.

"It would require an extremely aggressive schedule to complete," he said. The average time it takes to design and install such roofs is about 36 months, although Uni-Systems has done it in as little as eight months.

"We get excited anytime we hear the words "retractable roof," period," he said.

Bill Barden, Birdair's director of architectural development, said there has never been a total replacement of an air-supported roof system the size of BC Place.

In 1999, Birdair replaced the roof of Syracuse University's Carrier stadium, which is roughly two-thirds the size of BC Place.

Birdair has installed fabric roofs on more than 65 stadiums, including a sister dome to Vancouver's, the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind.

That building will be demolished later this year when construction is complete on a new stadium using a retractable Uni-System roof.

Barden said PavCo asked Birdair for a quote on replacing the existing system. It wanted information on new technologies, including solar panels and rain and wastewater recovery systems. He did not want to disclose the bid price Birdair submitted, noting that two other competitors, Hightex Group and Fabritec Structures, had also submitted bids.

London-based Hightex installed the fabric on the Pusan Stadium, Berlin Stadium and a soccer stadium in South Africa, three projects PavCo said it looked at when considering a replacement system.

California-based Fabritec deals mostly with smaller fabric applications.

Warren Buckley, the CEO of PavCo, also clarified Thursday that although PavCo is considering a new fabric roof over seating with an open centre, it would still require a retractable covering because the stadium is used heavily for trade shows. A permanently open stadium roof such as the one in Munich, Germany would not work.

"A constant, permanent hole in the middle of the roof would not be considered," Buckley said.

"We've looked at it, but when you consider the number of trade shows we have, it would just kill our business. And the last time I looked, it's not sunny every time the B.C. Lions play."






Well, that basically throws out the Durban and Busan options.

CTV News Report, March 06

5dPfJOeCHGg

So I'm guessing at the moment, the Frankfurt option looks like the most viable one.

I love that Korean roof.

So I'm guessing at the moment, the Frankfurt option looks like the most viable one.

That's what I'm guessing too....I personally think it's the most likely option. They have said they both want an indoor venue for trade shows, and outdoor venue for football games.....that means a retractable roof. And the type of roof needs to be light - a fabric type like Frankfurt's - so that the stadium walls can support it with upgrades. Not to mention that it's the easiest type to build, and less time consuming than a rigid steel roof like Wimbledon or SkyDome. Also add on that it's relatively cheap for a retractable roof.

perhaps it would be better to rename the thread
"Vancouver 2010 Olympic Stadium Renovation/Upgrade"

Is the Wimbledon roof already built or U/C?

U/C wont be finished until 2009 i believe

The entire stadium renovation will possibly cost $250-MILLION.




Oops, Liberals discover BC Place needs pricey Olympic refit after all

Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun
Published: Saturday, March 08, 2008

It was May 2006, a committee room in the legislature buildings, and the Opposition was raising prophetic concerns about BC Place.

Was the aging stadium ready for Olympic opening and closing ceremonies? Would taxpayers have to foot the bill for a major refit?

Not to worry, the B.C. Liberals insisted. Though completed back in 1983, the stadium was good for another two decades.

"It is not anticipated that BC Place will need a significant capital infusion," minister-for-the-Olympics Colin Hansen said.

The government had budgeted a mere $2.5 million for the touch-up. The full amount to be covered out of the existing budget for the 2010 Winter Games.

The New Democrats weren't persuaded. Guy Gentner, MLA for Delta North, had been perusing the BC Place service plan and offered his reading of the state of the stadium.

"BC Place stadium is close to its end," he declared, "The roof is ready to fall down."

Yep. That's exactly what Gentner said. May 1, 2006.

The Liberals scoffed. The roof ready to fall down? Where did Opposition members get these notions?

"The member is talking about guaranteed life," replied Olga Ilich, then the cabinet minister for BC Place. "The guaranteed life was 25 years, but that doesn't mean it is going to fall apart in the 25th year."

With proper maintenance, she insisted, "the roof is expected to last another 15 or 20 years."

Gentner again: "So we have assurances from the minister that the roof at BC Place is safe up to and beyond the Olympics?"

Right, Ilich replied. "It should last up to the Olympics and beyond."

Eight months later -- Jan. 5, 2007 -- the roof did fall down. "Human error," they said at the time. But the roof-collapsing tear in the fabric dome exposed BC Place to more than the elements.

A year after a hasty repair job, the roof that was going to last up to 20 years is now said to be in need of replacement in relatively short order.

"There's a maximum of about four years before we have to replace it," government-appointed overseer David Podmore told my colleague Jeff Lee this week.

Moreover, Podmore added, given the age of the roof, "it shouldn't be a surprise to anybody that it needs to be replaced."

Not to Gentner, anyway. But the Liberals ought to be a little red-faced.

Then again, that's not likely when you recall their lack of shame on the convention centre overrun, which is another project Podmore was brought in to rescue.

The no-more-than-four-years estimate on the remaining life-span of the roof poses a dilemma, because the Winter Olympics are scheduled to fall in the middle of that time frame.

"What we are endeavouring to do is to replace it before the Games," Podmore said. But with less than two years to opening day, that would be cutting it fine.

Recall, too, that the overrun on the convention centre expansion was the result of a rush job.

As to the potential cost of this boondog . . . er, project, my colleague Lee has extracted some preliminary estimates.

Figure at least $100 million for a replacement fabric roof, $150 million for one of those nifty retractable jobs.

Not including other costs, like the need to beef up the supporting structure of the stadium if the roof technology changes.

Throw in a state-of-the-art upgrade of the BC Place interior and you've got a tab maybe 100 times larger than the $2.5 million the Liberals were touting two years ago. ($250-MILLION STADIUM RENOVATION)

Needless to say, the government has rethought who should pay. No longer is it to be Vanoc's responsibility, which was (quoting Ilich) "our expectation" back in 2006.

Now the Liberals say the stadium improvements have nothing to do with getting ready the Olympics. (Where do people get these ideas?)

And at this point it would be unfair to stick Vanoc, which has done a better job of getting its costs under control, with the tab for another miscalculation by the provincial government.

The New Democrats baited the Liberals about the looming costs to taxpayers one day this week. But the latest minister in charge of the stadium, Stan Hagen, insisted "this is good news for British Columbia."

No need to mention he's the guy in charge of making feeble excuses for the $400-million overrun on the convention centre job.

Taxpayers need not be concerned about having to cover the cost of refitting BC Place, Hagen insisted.

The project will be financed through the sale and development of public land around the stadium.

Liberal cost accounting: If you sell the silverware to pay for a new roof, that's not a drain on your household finances.

Besides, Hagen assured the legislature, the government will negotiate a "fixed-price contract" for the BC Place renovations.

"Put us down as being a little skeptical," returned NDP House leader Mike Farnworth.

Me, too.

vpalmer@direct.ca

Preparations for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics are progressing so well, it's boring....

anyway..250 million is surprisingly realistic. they usually come up with ridiculous estimates and then double them later but 250 million seems about right..maybe 300 million depending on construction costs in canada.

as long as we dont end up with an athens situation

Preparations for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics are progressing so well, it's boring....

anyway..250 million is surprisingly realistic. they usually come up with ridiculous estimates and then double them later but 250 million seems about right..maybe 300 million depending on construction costs in canada.

as long as we dont end up with an athens situation

Well, there is a possibility we could end up with an Athens situation.

Look at the new convention centre/media centre being built, it was originally set for a early-2009 completion. Due to some earlier complications, the completion date is now September 2009. Not to mention that they ridiculously estimated the cost to be $495-million....the cost today is now nearly $900-million.

Given the fact that the B.C. construction industry is seeing its greatest boom in three decades, there is a huge shortage in labour and the many many many projects are also causing steel/metal/concrete prices to shoot through the roof. As well, every month the costs go up by 1.5%. I too would say the stadium renovations cost would likely come somewhere between $250-300 million....especially since this project is being fast-tracked for the 2010 Games.






How about this for a possible construction timeline?...if they are really organized and committed to this, 24/7 construction:

2008
June 2008 to October 2008: weather proofing interior including installation of drainage systems, preparations for stadium renovations and new roof construction....and removal of all the seats
August 2008 to October 2008: removal of fabric roof

2009
June 2008 to September 2009: installation of new fabric retractable roof structure, including installation of new and beefing up of stadium supports
June 2009 to early-November 2009: Concourse renovations, new seats, exterior renovations, etc.





If a retractable roof is the option chosen, which seems to be what they really want, I think a Frankfurt Stadium system would be the most likely roof we'll be getting:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/431340156_cece51dfe3_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/378796988_86b845f84c_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/67/190144819_db4c283aff_b.jpg

14 months should be fine from start to finish.

14 months should be fine from start to finish.

Well, the earlier they start the better.

Couldnt have said it better myself start fucking like tommorow lol

I really want them to get crackin' but quid of the BC Lions!

If the stadium is going to be demolished, it's a waste of money.
But Ok, to host winter olympics, you need a roof don't you?

Gordo raising a new roof?

By BOB MACKIN, 24 HOURS
Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Will it be a green convertible for Premier Gordon Campbell when he appears at BC Place Stadium before next week's Vancouver International Auto Show?

Sources tell 24 hours that Campbell will announce what technology has been chosen to replace the roof at the 25-year-old 2010 Olympic stadium. It might be a retractable roof, which could mean the energy-using fans that keep the fabric roof aloft would be shut down.

Crews of German-speaking surveyors have been spotted around the dome in recent weeks, suggesting that Koch Hightex may supply the material. The company's retractable work includes two tennis stadiums in Germany and a bullfighting arena in Madrid, Spain. It has also supplied fixed roofs for stadiums in Berlin and Busan, South Korea.

This could be when Victoria invokes the Significant Projects Streamlining Act to ensure the most important construction job for the Games is finished on time. The fast-track law was enacted Dec. 2, 2003 - exactly six months after Vancouver won the 2010 bid.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=16090156-d57c-446a-a950-a5ff0f237156

Alarm bells ring on BC Place retractable roof
Probably biggest gamble of 2010 Games racing against clock

Miro Cernetig, Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, April 28, 2008

Premier Gordon Campbell wants the retractable roof. So does David Podmore, the construction exec in charge of revamping BC Place Stadium for the Olympics. Hard to blame either of them; our stadium's current top looks like an old bedsheet left in the rain too long.

A new roof that can be opened to let that Olympic flame burn bright for 2010 and the sunshine in during a B.C. Lions game when it's not raining, is no doubt a desirable goal. It will add a whole new life, architectural profile and use (baseball or soccer, anyone?) to Vancouver's aging, domed stadium.

But. But. But.

Putting up that retractable roof over BC Place has got to ring some alarms bells, too.

It is probably the biggest gamble of the 2010 Olympic Games: Get it done right, on time and Podmore gets the gold. Blow it, either through delays or the myriad of engineering complications that come with a $150-million to $200-million re-engineering job, and he's got an Olympic disaster on his hands.

In the international press, we'd go from being depicted as a city preparing a near flawless Games to shades of Athens, where plans for a new structure over an old stadium also created grave concerns within the International Olympic Committee when organizers began running behind schedule.

It could be even worse than that, of course, as Canada has shown. A truly botched job -- always something to consider when deadlines get tight and retrofits that involve old buildings are in play -- and we could be a mini-Montreal, rushing through an Olympic roof that had skyrocketing costs and was a disaster. If you don't think things can go wrong on these big projects, just remember that the cost of the convention centre expansion has now almost doubled, closing in on $1 billion.

So, prudence ought to be the order of the day on this key decision. Any day now, Podmore is expected to deliver his recommendations on BC Place's new roof to the provincial cabinet. At the moment, he's under his own dome of silence. But I'm told the government is expecting he'll come up with a way of doing the retractable roof, putting BC Place into the world's top 10 largest indoor-outdoor stadiums.

But Podmore is a careful guy. First, he knows he's got to make sure BC Place has the structural integrity for the load of a new fixed roof, retractable or not. (Most think it has, given how much concrete is in it). And he's also got to ensure if things do go sideways, there's a face-saving contingency plan.

It turns out he's got a few tricks to ensure that ambitious project wouldn't turn from a dream into a nightmare.

When he first floated the idea of the retractable roof a few months ago to the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, Podmore suggested to the insiders that a new roof could be built over the existing one. That would ensure BC Place would be operational during the 18 months or more of construction, allowing B.C. Lions games and trade shows to continue. Then, once the new roof was completed, the old air-suspended dome would come down.

The benefit of this approach wasn't lost on Olympic organizers. Aside from a revamped stadium that could offer open-air ceremonies for 2010, the Olympic planners also would have a guarantee that any logistical snafus wouldn't turn into an international embarrassment. If construction bogs down, the old roof would still be covering BC Place.

Now a half-complete roof over an ugly old dome isn't quite the image Vancouver or Canada wants to present to billions of TV viewers during the Games. But this, too, could be massaged.

Providing those engineering studies show a new roof is possible -- I'd bet on a yes since, as sport business analyst Tom Mayenknecht told me, German stadium engineers are already in town sussing out how to do the job -- there is nothing stopping Podmore from taking a graduated approach to this. Get the retractable roof plan on track, do the designs, arrange the funding and line up the major contractors. Then, if time proves too short or serious engineering problems are encountered, he could easily order that project be delayed until after the Games. Alternatively, it could be partially completed, leaving a sort of doughnut hole over the field until the Olympics are over.

Falling short would be disappointing, but hardly a fiasco. It could even be argued the local economy could use a major infrastructure project after the Olympics, when the economy is likely to cool down.

So if you're making a bet on the newest addition to the Vancouver skyline, I'm told the smart money is on a retractable roof. If David Podmore goes to the provincial cabinet in the next few days with such a plan, odds are he's going to get an immediate message from Premier Campbell: let the Olympic Games re-roofing begin.

Podmore will have about 600 days to get the job done. He will find himself in the first real race of the 2010 Olympics.

B.C. Place takes step to get retractable roof

Updated: Tue Apr. 29 2008 17:22:41
ctvbc.ca

B.C. Place Stadium appears to be taking a key step towards getting a retractable roof in time for the 2010 Olympics.

Sources say B.C. Pavilion Corp. which runs the stadium in downtown Vancouver, is gearing up to deliver a formal proposal which could be delivered to the B.C. cabinet as early as Wednesday.

A new roof would replace the existing Teflon, air-supported covering, which was ripped off during a winter storm last year.

The only question now is whether or not it can be built in time for the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics which are scheduled to be held in B.C. Place.

If the retractable roof plan gets the go-ahead, the construction crews and cranes would have to circle B.C. Place almost immediately.

That's because the opening ceremonies are just 654 days away, a time-frame that would put the construction crews in a race against the clock.

But critics say a race to replace the aging Teflon roof is misguided.

"Putting a retractable roof on that stadium is throwing good money after bad," said Trevor Boddy, a Vancouver based architect.

He puts the replacement cost at $250 million dollars.

"I think its a bit of a fantasy to propose that from a dead start and a few sketches, we'll have that planned, engineered, architected, constructed, poured , finished and open in time for the medals," Boddy said.

Others worry about the potential costs if the project is fast-tracked.

"It's going to be very costly because it's going to be a big rush," said Maureen Bader, B.C. Director with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

"So you're going to have a big upfront cost because no developer is going to want to take that risk on without a big payoff or you're going to get big cost overruns," she said.

So if developers are thinking about a retractable roof, Boddy says they might just as well start from scratch.

"It is a silly use of a key urban site for a flawed design and a flawed concept,'' he said. "Let's do it right, no more B.C. misplaced"

PavCo chairman David Podmore has said any costs linked to the upgrades will be recovered through the sale of property around the facility to condominium developers.

The stadium will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics.

http://dcnonl.com/images/archivesid/27516/170.jpg
RICHARD GILBERT


The BC Place roof is considered safe for the 2010 Olympics’ opening ceremonies, but the B.C. government would prefer that a retractable system be installed before the Games begin.
Minister says British Columbia government favours retractable option for BC Place roof

VICTORIA
17 hours ago

The B.C. government says the fabric roof that collapsed on Vancouver’s BC Place last year is safe enough to remain for the 2010 Olympics.

But the minister in charge said a retractable roof would be preferable.

Stan Hagen, Minister for Tourism, Sports and the Arts said that no decision had been made on the roof replacement, but the government certainly favours a retractable roof.

“If you’ve ever attended a game there you will know the attractiveness of a roof that has an ability to open, just from a ventilation point of view.”

Hagen said the B.C. Pavilion Corporation which operates the stadium has a lot more work to do on the proposal.

The debate over the roof started 16 months ago when the marshmallow-like dome suddenly collapsed during a wind storm.

One of the panels ripped and had to be replaced.

Hagen said the government has been assured by the B.C. Pavilion Corporation that the current fabric roof is safe.

Replacing the entire roof with a similar design would cost about $20 million, while a retractable roof is estimated to cost $200 million.

Reports have been circulating for more than a week that the B.C. cabinet would consider options for the aging fabric roof from the B.C. Pavilion Corp. at a recent weekly meeting.

“We need to step back, make sure we’re checking everything out and look at the timing,” Hagen said, adding that cabinet will make a decision “at some point in the future.”

But New Democrat critic Norm Macdonald said the public has been left wondering what the B.C. government has been doing since the dramatic collapse of the stadium roof on Jan. 5, 2007.

“This is something the government should have been dealing with back as early as 2006,” he said. That’s when a report on the stadium roof, which was nearing the end of its projected quarter-century lifespan, was originally submitted to the government.

“After those 25 years are up, you’d think (the government) would have looked at the need for replacing it, but they ignored it,” he said. “It’s unbelievable and it’s going to cost British Columbians for no good reason.”

Macdonald called it ministerial incompetence, pointing out that the NDP had been given specific assurances from the minister in the fall of 2006 that the roof was fine and would not collapse. Several months later a portion of the roof fell in.

Hagen conceded that the timeline around the 2010 Olympic Games is drawing shorter and the government is taking that into consideration. But he denied the Winter Games are having much effect on the government’s next move.

“Nope, we just want to make sure we make the right decision with regard to the building,” he said.

But Macdonald said the collapse of the stadium roof in early 2007 should have been a signal to the government that they needed to have “a real close look” at that roof and that they needed to do something to ensure it would be ready for the games.

Especially after BC Place was selected as the venue for the opening ceremony.

“There are going to be billions of people watching and judging British Columbia and Canada,” he warned. “We can not afford a disaster.”

Canadian Press

Face what they have now is what they will have for the Olympics. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to try and do something.

Quote from Podmore: "A report assessing the options for the roof is nearly complete and will be sent to the provincial cabinet within a month, he said."

That was in March and now it's May. Everything is a big coverup

Everything is a big coverup

well, it does take a lot of fabric to coverup that roof!! :lol:

Any suggestions on what the Retractable roof system might look like?

article:

The BC Place roof is considered safe for the 2010 Olympics’ opening ceremonies, but the B.C. government would prefer that a retractable system be installed before the Games begin.
Minister says British Columbia government favours retractable option for BC Place roof

VICTORIA
17 hours ago

The B.C. government says the fabric roof that collapsed on Vancouver’s BC Place last year is safe enough to remain for the 2010 Olympics.

But the minister in charge said a retractable roof would be preferable.

Stan Hagen, Minister for Tourism, Sports and the Arts said that no decision had been made on the roof replacement, but the government certainly favours a retractable roof.

“If you’ve ever attended a game there you will know the attractiveness of a roof that has an ability to open, just from a ventilation point of view.”

Hagen said the B.C. Pavilion Corporation which operates the stadium has a lot more work to do on the proposal.

The debate over the roof started 16 months ago when the marshmallow-like dome suddenly collapsed during a wind storm.

One of the panels ripped and had to be replaced.

Hagen said the government has been assured by the B.C. Pavilion Corporation that the current fabric roof is safe.

Replacing the entire roof with a similar design would cost about $20 million, while a retractable roof is estimated to cost $200 million.

Reports have been circulating for more than a week that the B.C. cabinet would consider options for the aging fabric roof from the B.C. Pavilion Corp. at a recent weekly meeting.

“We need to step back, make sure we’re checking everything out and look at the timing,” Hagen said, adding that cabinet will make a decision “at some point in the future.”

But New Democrat critic Norm Macdonald said the public has been left wondering what the B.C. government has been doing since the dramatic collapse of the stadium roof on Jan. 5, 2007.

“This is something the government should have been dealing with back as early as 2006,” he said. That’s when a report on the stadium roof, which was nearing the end of its projected quarter-century lifespan, was originally submitted to the government.

“After those 25 years are up, you’d think (the government) would have looked at the need for replacing it, but they ignored it,” he said. “It’s unbelievable and it’s going to cost British Columbians for no good reason.”

Macdonald called it ministerial incompetence, pointing out that the NDP had been given specific assurances from the minister in the fall of 2006 that the roof was fine and would not collapse. Several months later a portion of the roof fell in.

Hagen conceded that the timeline around the 2010 Olympic Games is drawing shorter and the government is taking that into consideration. But he denied the Winter Games are having much effect on the government’s next move.

“Nope, we just want to make sure we make the right decision with regard to the building,” he said.

But Macdonald said the collapse of the stadium roof in early 2007 should have been a signal to the government that they needed to have “a real close look” at that roof and that they needed to do something to ensure it would be ready for the games.

Especially after BC Place was selected as the venue for the opening ceremony.

“There are going to be billions of people watching and judging British Columbia and Canada,” he warned. “We can not afford a disaster.”

Canadian Press

maybe something with a zipper or velcro? :ohno:

bump

How would they handle the lighting of the olympic cauldron in a domed stadium? It's the highlight of the opening ceremony. Surely it would have to be outside the stadium so I'm wondering how it would be incorporated into the ceremony. Have the audience watch it on a monitor? Ugh! To me, it seems like a retractable roof is the only option. If that can't be accomplished by the games, I would think they should just remove the roof for the olympic games and figure out what to do about the roof afterwards.

coughmontrealolympicstadiumalloveragaincoughcough

It's not looking good......talk about government incompetence, this should've been done in 2003 when we won the Olympic bid.





A new roof for the Dome?
Possible announcement Friday at B.C. Place

By BOB MACKIN, 24 HOURS
Thursday, May 15, 2008

A major news conference is planned for B.C. Place Stadium on Friday morning.

It could be to confirm that the stadium roof will be replaced in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. B.C. Pavilion Corporation chairman David Podmore said in January that he preferred a retractable roof system. Podmore could not be reached for comment on Thursday morning.

Norm Macdonald, the NDP's PavCo critic, said he has heard that stadium renovations were discussed by the provincial cabinet at its Wednesday meeting.

B.C. Place Stadium is the site of opening, closing and nightly medals ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The home of the Canadian Football League's B.C. Lions opened almost 25 years ago on June 19, 1983. The first sporting event was June 20, 1983 when the Vancouver Whitecaps hosted the Seattle Sounders in a North American Soccer League game.

The current incarnation of the Whitecaps is proposing a new stadium on the city's waterfront, but the club has talked with PavCo about playing temporarily at B.C. Place if it can get a Major League Soccer franchise.

The stadium's future became a hot topic after the air-supported fabric roof ripped and collapsed on Jan. 7, 2007. The disaster happened because the roof was not heated to melt snow during a morning storm.






BC Place Stadium gets retractable roof by 2011

News1130 photo
Thursday, May 15 - 01:30:00 PM News1130 Staff

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - A news conference will be held tomorrow morning at BC Place Stadium, to announce the provincial government has decided to put a retractable roof on the stadium.

Sources confirm work on the new roof will begin after the 2010 Olympics, with a target date for the new roof completion by 2011. BC Place Stadium will be hosting the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, but there isn't enough time to have the new roof in place before the Games.

The BC Lions confirm they will be attending the news conference at 10 am Friday, but they won't say what it's about. Representatives from the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team are also expected to attend, but have refused to comment on the news. One unconfirmed report says the Whitecaps could be moving into the dome on an interim basis.

On April 30th, Tourism and Sport Minister Stan Hagen revealed the provincial government favours a new, retractable roof for BC Place Stadium, but no decision had been made. Hagen said the government was considering many options, including leaving the existing inflatable roof in place for the 2010 Olympics, then replacing it after the Games.

Some estimates say the price tag for a permanent, retractable roof could be as high as $200 million.

B.C. Place to get new retractable roof... after the Olympics.
Rising costs and lack of work crews cited as reasons for delay.

Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, May 15, 2008

The crown corporation that oversees B.C. Place will announce tomorrow that it will replace the iconic teflon dome with a retractable roof after the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Two weeks ago, The Vancouver Sun broke the story that David Podmore, the chairman of PavCo, which operates B.C. Place, had advised the provincial cabinet that he wants to install a new retractable roof.

However, pushing ahead with the replacement in time for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Games was considered too costly and complicated, and Podmore decided to do the work after the Olympics.

The major reason, he told cabinet, was that firms that could install the retractable roof are already busy with other work and the cost of structural steel has risen by upwards of 40 per cent since last year.

By delaying the new roof until after the Olympics, PavCo - which is already under fire for the inflated $883-million cost of the new waterfront exhibition and convention centre - would supposedly be able to better control costs.

Since that cabinet briefing, PavCo officials have declined to comment and Tourism Minister Stan Hagen, who personally favors a retractable roof, would only say an announcement would be made "soon".

George Chayka, vice-president of business for the B.C. Lions, confirmed that he's been asked to be at a press conference tomorrow (FRIDAY) at B.C. Place. But he would not discuss the topic of the meeting.

Podmore did not respond to calls for comment as of Thursday afternoon.

jefflee@png.canwest.com

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BEFORE
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The roof is nice and much better then the inflatable one. It makes a this BC stadium a nice look-alike of the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany, which is not bad imho. Some of the pictures are even from the Frankfurt stadium!

Finally....its too bad that the roof will happen in 2011.

The design for the new roof has at long last been revealed. However, we don't know how the roof will look when it is closed.

^^ Look at the pictures on the top of this post. You will see the Frankfurt roof closing in stages. The look for BC place will not be that different!

The design for the new roof has at long last been revealed. However, we don't know how the roof will look when it is closed.

It'll look like this, Commerzbank Arena:
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Nice enough but not for the olympics...sadly! I can't wait to see the thing anyway!

Very nice! Hopefully they do away with the ugly colours.

And it is a pity that this won't be done in time for the Olympics. But whatever...its good to see some nice outdoor stadias being built in Canada....about time I say too.

Great! I love it!

Very nice! Hopefully they do away with the ugly colours.

And it is a pity that this won't be done in time for the Olympics. But whatever...its good to see some nice outdoor stadias being built in Canada....about time I say too.

Not for the olympics? I thought this new roof would be completed before the 2010 olympics? Where are they gonna have the opening and closing ceremonies if it won't be completed by 2010?

That's a really good design, much better than the current one.

Not for the olympics? I thought this new roof would be completed before the 2010 olympics? Where are they gonna have the opening and closing ceremonies if it won't be completed by 2010?

The ceremonies will be held inside the stadium. The roof won't be replaced after the games are done. However, other major renovations will be done before the games.

shadows shadow shadows.

Thinking about the central screen! I think they should save some bucks and spare us the thing! It would be better for the pitch as it would get light a bit more uniformly! When you look at the shape of the pitch of the Commerzbank arena, I think BC place should allow the pitch to get as much sun as possible. Besides I don't consider the screens to be an absolute must in stadiums! This is just my opinion!

Thinking about the central screen! I think they should save some bucks and spare us the thing! It would be better for the pitch as it would get light a bit more uniformly! When you look at the shape of the pitch of the Commerzbank arena, I think BC place should allow the pitch to get as much sun as possible. Besides I don't consider the screens to be an absolute must in stadiums! This is just my opinion!

Just note that at the central videoboard suspended over the field, the retractable roof folds into inside the screen....that's certainly a much better option in my opinion, it hides the roof compartment.




The ceremonies will be held inside the stadium. The roof won't be replaced after the games are done. However, other major renovations will be done before the games.

Yup. Unfortunately, they didn't move quick enough with this project.

Interior renovations to the stadium will be done for the Olympics. The roof will not. Construction on the roof will begin March 2010, after the Paralympics, and be completed by the summer of 2010.

One of the reasons why Commerzbank Arena has more sunlight is possibly 'cause their stadium is shaped differently, in a more rectangular shape. BC Place is more rounded and oblong. The more you expand the oblong opening the more people won't be covered(sun/freak rain etc.). I would definitely like the opening to be much larger but it's only 15 yards short in length for FIFA standards. The width is perfect. They're sacrificing some length for width I guess.

I suppose they think, and with Franfurt's experience, that it's two birds with one stone. You hide the collapsed roof and you get a scoreboard everyone can see. Also, does the weight of the scoreboard tie in with strengthening of the roof tension?

If it's not going to be done for the Olympics, seems like a waste to put a nice new roof on an old stadium... :cheers:

One of the reasons why Commerzbank Arena has more sunlight is possibly 'cause their stadium is shaped differently, in a more rectangular shape. BC Place is more rounded and oblong. The more you expand the oblong opening the more people won't be covered(sun/freak rain etc.). I would definitely like the opening to be much larger but it's only 15 yards short in length for FIFA standards. The width is perfect. They're sacrificing some length for width I guess.

I suppose they think, and with Franfurt's experience, that it's two birds with one stone. You hide the collapsed roof and you get a scoreboard everyone can see. Also, does the weight of the scoreboard tie in with strengthening of the roof tension?

Wait....FIFA has official standards for minimal roof length? If the new roof falls short of that, would the BC Place still be able to host FIFA sanctioned events?

And Mr. Fusion, even though it does seem ridiculous that the major renovations are being done after the Olympics, the reason why this makes sense is that the new roof effectively increases the lifespan of the facility. There was some debate as to whether or not the stadium should be demolished after the Olympics but with this new investment, the government has made the facility more profitable, thus justifying its existence over, say, new condos, something that every developer would salivate over in Vancouver.

^ the land and stadium are currently worth CAN$500-million. With the improvements planned, it is said that the stadium and land will be worth $1.2-billion.

Ok if the screens hide the collapsed roof which must probably look pretty shitty when folded by all means bring on the screens!

^ Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt:
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^Awesome pics! Nice and airy. I must say the roof sheath...if we can call it that:lol:....isn't the most attractive thing in the world. In a perfect world it would be cool to have the vid screens on the sheath.

Wait....FIFA has official standards for minimal roof length?



No, what I was referring to was how much the roof opening covers the pitch and that FIFA has pitch measurement standards.

If it's not going to be done for the Olympics, seems like a waste to put a nice new roof on an old stadium... :cheers:

The roof needs replacing. It would be great if it had been realized earlier so that it could have been done for the Olympics, but Vancouver needs a usable stadium whether they are hosting the Olympics or not. This is a much cheaper option than a completely new stadium.

BC Place is home to the BC Lions who play Canadian football in the CFL. There simply aren't any other stadiums big enough in Vancouver to accommodate them.

I remember hating seeing 2006 world cup games at the comerzbank arena because of that stupid video screen causing horrible shadows (as well as all the cables..). Hopefully Vancouver can put the screens somewhere else..

rendering credits: leftcoaster

BC Place was built in 1983 for Expo '86, and it seats 60,000. In 2010, it will host the Opening & Closing Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Games and the nightly-medal ceremonies for it.




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Soccer-mode: 27,000 seats
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/newsreleases/WC_Vision_2011.jpg



Football/Olympic-mode: 60,000 seats
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Why does the renovated BC Place have to seat only 27,000 seats for soccer? That's a stupid idea.

Why does the renovated BC Place have to seat only 27,000 seats for soccer? That's a stupid idea.

Because they can't fill 60,000 seats for soccer. So, they're going to lower the roof to hide the upper bowl and only open the lower bowl.

How do the Lions feel about losing the old roof? Crowd noise is a massive advantage at home games for them. I remember one playoff game, the noise bouncing off that roof was so deafening, the opposing team couldn't call their plays, lost yardage, had broken plays, and got severely rattled.

The renovation looks fabulous, but it's not going to be quite as loud in there as it used to be. Regarding soccer, can Vancouver draw 27,000? Hiding the upper bowls for less popular sports like soccer is a great idea though. There's no way you could have them playing in a football sized stadium.

stunning stadium. In the middle of the city?

The Whitecaps capacity is actually 22,000, not 27,000

rendering credits: leftcoaster

BC Place was built in 1983 for Expo '86, and it seats 60,000. In 2010, it will host the Opening & Closing Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Games and the nightly-medal ceremonies for it.




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screams GMP architects, and SBP engineers

Why does the renovated BC Place have to seat only 27,000 seats for soccer? That's a stupid idea.

That's not a technical restriction. They're only doing it to make the stadium look less cavernous for Vancouver Whitecaps games since there is no way they will be able to sell 60,000 seats. If, however, the stadium is hosting a high profile game (Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LA Galaxy friendly) they can easily remove the tarp off the second deck and increase the capacity to the stadium's full capacity.

is it already u/c?

is it already u/c?

The $65-million in interior renovations are well underway.....construction on the roof won't begin for awhile.

So sad that we won't get this roof for the Olympics but really what a stadium! Can't wait to see pics of the renovated interior. Will the current roof get cleaned for 2010?!

So sad that we won't get this roof for the Olympics but really what a stadium! Can't wait to see pics of the renovated interior. Will the current roof get cleaned for 2010?!

Yup, the current roof is getting a new interior lining i believe.

have there been any renderings released of the interior upgrades?

The Whitecaps capacity is actually 22,000, not 27,000

And I would say that would be no problem. TFC sells out every game at 20,500 and they could probably sell out with several thousand more.

Seattle Sounders FC already has 18,000+ full season tickets, so that doesn't count partial packages and single-game tickets.

No doubt Vancouver could sell that much (as long as they can secure a team; I'm crossing my fingers)

Calls for roof job to go to local bidder
4 June 2009
Vancouver Province

Ironworkers say the B.C. Place retractable roof should be made in B.C.

Union representatives gathered outside the stadium yesterday to lobby the province to award the contract for the roof to one of two B.C. steel fabricators now on the shortlist.

"It's not called Quebec Place," said Jim Sinclair, president of the B.C. Federation of Labour, noting that one Quebec firm and one Ontario firm are among the final four.

"If B.C. workers do the work, 30 per cent of their paycheques will come back to provincial revenues in the form of income tax. It's a no-brainer to award the contract to a B.C. firm."

Rene Watteel, business manager of Ironworkers Local 712, said his unionized workers are cost-competitive, and urged the government to award the contract locally.

"Ninety per cent of our work is in the private sector, so we have to be competitive," said Watteel.

"This is the first press conference our union local has ever held. We've got four to five weeks until the contract is awarded, so we want to make our case now."

The two B.C. firms that made it to the final four are Delta-based Canron and Burnaby-based George Third & Son.

"We've been chasing this contract for a long time, and as a B.C. firm in business for 100 years in 2010 we'd love to win this contract," said Rob Third, grandson of the company's founder. "If we win the contract, a very high percentage of the work will be done here locally.

"The union is worried that if another firm wins, the steel fabrication will be done out-of-province."

David Podmore, chairman of the B.C. Pavilion Corp. which will award the contract, said there will be plenty of local work even if the contract is awarded to a non-B.C. firm.

"All of the erection and installation will be local, and we estimate that at 1,500 man-years of employment," said Podmore.

"I understand what their concern is -- I'm certainly mindful of it.

"We want to maximize local production and content, but always against a backdrop of using taxpayer dollars effectively."

The need for a roof refit, expected to cost $365 million, was made very clear when the existing air-supported roof tore in a winter storm in January 2007, flooding the field and damaging seats and luxury boxes.

Some critics called for an emergency refit before the 2010 Olympics -- when B.C. Place will host the opening and closing ceremonies to a worldwide TV audience -- but the province decided to repair the roof and wait until after the Olympics to install the new state-of-the-art retractable roof.

this will be a great up grade

The interior renovations to BC Place should be similar to the interior renovations dome to the Pacific Coliseum recently.

when will construction start? Soon right? I mean Olympics are in a year.

^Construction has already started on the interior

^Construction has already started on the interior

I think he was asking about the works for the roof.

Will be the roof ready for feb. 2010? I think no.

Could anyone put any pics of BC Place stadium.

Thx

The roof is being replaced AFTER the olympics

The roof is being replaced AFTER the olympics

Ok, thx JYDA.

Do you think BC Place Stadium, but, in general, olympic venues are equal to an Olympic Games in 3rd millenium?

I am not able to understand, living in Italy, but form pics I haven't seen so astonishing venues. Very normal and low profile. Nothing of interesting.

Am I wrong?

Maybe if someone living some pics...

The roof is being replaced AFTER the olympics

o... :(

Ok, thx JYDA.

Do you think BC Place Stadium, but, in general, olympic venues are equal to an Olympic Games in 3rd millenium?

I am not able to understand, living in Italy, but form pics I haven't seen so astonishing venues. Very normal and low profile. Nothing of interesting.

Am I wrong?

Maybe if someone living some pics...

If you believe an Olympics is all about architecture the maybe they're not good enough. Capacity-wise Vancouver has bigger venues, I think, than any other previous winter host. And the backdrop itself is stunning; the venues needn't be Beijing-esque for the pictures broadcast around the world to be awe inspiring.

If you believe an Olympics is all about architecture the maybe they're not good enough. Capacity-wise Vancouver has bigger venues, I think, than any other previous winter host. And the backdrop itself is stunning; the venues needn't be Beijing-esque for the pictures broadcast around the world to be awe inspiring.

Ok, and any pics about the venues?

If you believe an Olympics is all about architecture the maybe they're not good enough. Capacity-wise Vancouver has bigger venues, I think, than any other previous winter host. And the backdrop itself is stunning; the venues needn't be Beijing-esque for the pictures broadcast around the world to be awe inspiring.

Not to mention that Winter Olympics are relatively low-profile compared to the Summer ones. Host cities have previously not gone above and beyond with brand new stadiums for the events.

Renovations could push Lions out of B.C. Place next season
Canwest News Service
24 June 2009

A retractable roof won't be installed at B.C. Place until 2011, but the B.C. Lions could be playing in an open-air facility a year earlier.

B.C. Pavilion Corp. and the Canadian Football League club are considering moving at least some games in the 2010 season to a temporary facility at the site of old Empire Stadium in east Vancouver during construction of the new roof.

Construction is expected to start soon after B.C. Place serves as host for the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The 32,375-seat Empire Stadium was home to the Lions from 1954 to 1982 and to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League during the 1970s and '80s. The stadium was demolished in the early 1990s and served as a parking lot for the Pacific National Exhibition for several years before the property was converted to soccer and ball fields.

With the B.C. Pavilion Corp. now evaluating tenders on the roof project, neither David Podmore, the Crown agency's chair, nor B.C. Lions executives would directly confirm the old Empire site is in play.

But there are relatively few options available for CFL games with 30,000-plus seats.

"Potentially it would be possible," PNE spokeswoman Laura Ballance said of installing temporary grandstands, concessions and washrooms on the green space. "But we can't comment on any discussions."

B.C. Place facelift gets thumbs up
Most fans overly impressed with ongoing improvements at stadium
The Province
24 June 2009

B.C. Place Stadium's interior renovations went over slightly better than the B.C. Lions' on-field facelift Tuesday night.

Fans watching the revamped Lions' 31-19 preseason loss to the Edmonton Eskimos were the first to take in The Dome, Version 2.0.

Phase One of the project, at a cost of $65 million, includes refurbished suites, a new club-seat section with lounge, reconfigured wheelchair seating and remodeling of washrooms and concessions.

Construction of a retractable roof will follow after the 2010 Winter Olympics, bringing the total cost to $365 million. Crown-controlled B.C. Pavilion Corp. owns and operates B.C. Place.

"I like the [suite] design, it's a lot more modern, which is hard to do with B.C. Place," said Paul, a regular guest in the BMO suite. "The seats are really comfortable, there's couches now. It's great -- nice changes."

Season-ticker holder John McFarlane of Aldergrove was enjoying a beer in the classy new club-section lounge with a corner view of the field.

"This is really comfortable, a much better experience," he said.

The impact of the first phase was certainly felt more by fans in the more privileged sections of the stadium, though a couple of guys from the lower bowl were spotted taking photographs of the new washrooms. Whether that was related to the calming new blue and green Olympic design was unclear.

Not all of the washrooms or concessions were finished and many of the luxury boxes are still under construction. Phase One is scheduled for completion sometime in the fall, said Lions' business vice president George Chayka.

Also included in Phase One is an expanded restaurant behind one of the end zones where fans can dine and view the game.

"I think they've done a tremendous job getting ready for our first preseason game," Chayka said. "I expect we'll have the odd minor inconvenience but the fans are going to be really excited with the changes."

Ken Wind of Vancouver was one Lions fan loving the new wheelchair sections. Previously, wheelchair access was limited to the corner where the club lounge now resides.

This season, there are wheelchair locations around the stadium in both the lower and upper bowls.

"My father and I will be able to sit side by side now," Wind said, noting that before the attendants had to sit behind. "And there's room for family and friends to sit around you. The only downside is we had our own concession stand before and now we have to wait in line, but it's worth it, absolutely."

One of the few complaints on the night came from confused club-section ticket holders trying to order food in the lounge. Club-section fans had to order from their seats, but could bring food into the lounge area.

"I like sitting in a restaurant where people actually serve me," said season-ticket holder Ellen Whitehouse.

Why is this stadium still in "proposed"?

Hurrah!

btw any pics :D

nope. I hope that some will pop up soon, BC Place re-opened it's doors for the first time last night since they started construction.

I have to say that this stadium is actually a nice design. Keep it up Canada :D

I think he was asking about the works for the roof.

Will be the roof ready for feb. 2010? I think no.

Could anyone put any pics of BC Place stadium.

Thx

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So, what's happening with this one? I realize the roof issue hasn't been resolved and will be tackled after the Olympics, but what about the amenities, concourse, etc. What type of make over are they getting if any?

Hello everybody! Can you help me please? I need some drawings of the Olympic Village Vancouver and the Olympic Village Whistler. How can I find them?

So, what's happening with this one? I realize the roof issue hasn't been resolved and will be tackled after the Olympics, but what about the amenities, concourse, etc. What type of make over are they getting if any?

The concourses, washrooms, concessions, and suites are all getting full makeovers. I believe some of the work is already complete. At first I read that all of the seats will be replaced but that seems to have been cancelled. The interior work is valued at $60 million CDN

The roof is now approved and going full speed ahead. They just agreed on a contract of $458 million CDN that includes the interior renovations, the roof, and building a 30,000 seat temp stadium for the Lions and Whitecaps to play in while work finishes on BC Place during the summer of 2011.

*Edit, also included in the $458 million is an LED ribbon board for the facade of the 2nd deck and a centre hung video board.

is this still under construction???

I'd like to know too. I imagine the new roof will be installed after the Olympics. Some photos or details anyone?

Was up there yesterday, no construction being done other than getting plaza's and stuff ready for the olympics. Bubble roof still in tact. No other construction going on in stadium.

Yesternight the Opening Ceremonies for the Games of the XXI Winter Olympiad were held in BC Place Stadium. Pics will be coming soon.

In terms of sustainability, these games will be a first. Organizers decided to make the event as “green” as possible, not only from an ecological standpoint, but also economically, socially and culturally. Thus, they will strive to weigh as little as possible on the environment and on the population, so as to have the greatest advantages possible once the Games come to an end.

Even the medals for the winning athletes will be eco-friendly: rather than being made with classic gold, silver and bronze, they will incorporate recycled components of discarded electronic devices: television sets, mobile phones, computers and others.

In terms of architecture, the covering of the speed skating facility is of great interest: the Richmond Olympic Oval, near Vancouver. Its 6 acres of surface area was made with wood from tree trunks infected by pine beetles (a parasite which attacks conifers) and, once felled, would have been burned. In addition, the rainwater that falls on the roof is collected and stored for use in the sanitary facilities.

The structure for curling will exploit the heat produced by rink’s cooling system to heat the inside and the nearby pool.

Even the sponsors have aligned themselves with the green philosophy of these Olympic games: Coca Cola, for example, promoted low-energy vending machines for Vancouver and distributed special suits made of recycled bottles for its employees.

The goal set by organizers was to create structures that can be used once the Games come to an end, and therefore to avoid demolishing excess roads and structures in favour of their reuse or a change in use.

Of the many facilities, one building has even been awarded the highest LEED certification: the Net Zero Building, with its green roof, houses 64 apartments which produce as much energy as they consume.


some pics here http://www.livegreenblog.com/?p=679

Work may have recently begun on the BC Place roof replacement. The BC Lions next season will play at a temporary stadium erected at the former site of Empire Stadium: Empire Fields.

Can we get this moved to under construction. They just deflated the roof this week.

Fireworks over BC Place during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Closing Ceremony:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4408396446_8c292bdeea_o.jpg
http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/vancouver/2010/vch2010_0009.jpg



The inflatable fabric roof has since been deflated, and a fabric retractable roof is currently being installed for completion by mid-2011. Photo by yumesuma.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4579178058_f941eeb741_b.jpg

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/vancouver/2010/vch2010_0100.jpg



Photos by SFUVancouver @ ssp
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7638/bcplacefromsefcjune3020.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3306/bcplacefromrobsonjune30.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9185/bcplacezoomoutjune30201.jpg

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/491/bcplacejune302010p12007.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8766/bcplacezoomjune302010p1.jpg

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/116/p1200635.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7461/place.png





The new roof, plus a substantial hotel-casino resort complex.
http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/1705/1865432ty8.jpg
http://bcplacestadium.com/images/roofinterior.jpg
http://www.paragongaming.com/wp-content/uploads/ParagonGaming_Ground_2010_03_13a_sized.jpg
http://www.paragongaming.com/wp-content/uploads/ParagonGaming_Aerial_2010_03_13a_sized.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Smitheview.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/Bridgeview.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/massingaerials.jpg

^In regards to the new retractable roof-

Would the centrally suspended scoreboard be able to be raised and lowered?

If so, could it be raised all the way to the ceiling? If not, would it hamper the top tier's view?

Does anyone know for sure?

^In regards to the new retractable roof-

Would the centrally suspended scoreboard be able to be raised and lowered?

If so, could it be raised all the way to the ceiling? If not, would it hamper the top tier's view?

Does anyone know for sure?

Yes, the centrally suspended scoreboard can be raised and lowered. A part of the layered fabric roof can also be lowered to create a more intimate stadium environment for events that won't use the top level of seating:
http://www.bcliberals.com/media/TOURISM_04.jpg

Photos of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, by Yume Suma:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4355200126_eb7371757b_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4355973884_05e2621579_b.jpg

How 'bout an NFL expansion into Vancouver?

How 'bout an NFL expansion into Vancouver?

Shall I start it off? :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Shall I start it off? :lol:...

Canadian humour... :ohno:








:cheers:

How 'bout an NFL expansion into Vancouver?

Nah, they prefer their style of gridiron football, we prefer ours.

Only NFL in Canada I support is the Bills playing a couple of games in T.O..

Nah, they prefer their style of gridiron football, we prefer ours.

Only NFL in Canada I support is the Bills playing a couple of games in T.O..

Why? And considering the attendance, it appears that you're one of the few that supports the Bills in Toronto.

Yes, the centrally suspended scoreboard can be raised and lowered. A part of the layered fabric roof can also be lowered to create a more intimate stadium environment for events that won't use the top level of seating:
http://www.bcliberals.com/media/TOURISM_04.jpg


that's cool.

Yes, the centrally suspended scoreboard can be raised and lowered. A part of the layered fabric roof can also be lowered to create a more intimate stadium environment for events that won't use the top level of seating:
http://www.bcliberals.com/media/TOURISM_04.jpg

How will the field be illuminated? Where are the lights?

If NFL comes to Vancouver, I'd be the first one in line to buy the season tickets. :cheers:

How will the field be illuminated? Where are the lights?

That's a very valid question...I have no idea.


About that rendering:

Key features of the rendering include a retractable roof and centrally hung, state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard, floor-level seats and a flexible draping system. The upper deck draping looks to seamlessly limit the capacity of the stadium to approximately 22,000 seats from BC Place's maximum of 59,000. Additional planned soccer-specific renovations include modular floor-level hospitality areas and a new synthetic FIFA-approved pitch.

"With the draping, the way it's been done - to allow for the view to the middle out to the clear blue sky and the intimacy that provides to the lower bowl, the reconfiguration of the seats so they are closer to the sidelines and behind both ends with the VIP area and the South Siders supporters section - it's as good as any venue in the league right now," said Lenarduzzi. "I've had the benefit of seeing the renderings for two or three months and when I saw them I was blown away. I expect others will feel the same way."

From Google Earth, geecee:

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8325/googleearthimaget.jpg

Why? And considering the attendance, it appears that you're one of the few that supports the Bills in Toronto.

A lot of people in Toronto support the Bills, they just prefer going to watch the games in RALPH WILSON STADIUM! where they can party, tailgate, and they pay 1/4 the ticket price. The Bills have 15,000 Canadian season ticket holders.

Yes, the centrally suspended scoreboard can be raised and lowered. A part of the layered fabric roof can also be lowered to create a more intimate stadium environment for events that won't use the top level of seating:
http://www.bcliberals.com/media/TOURISM_04.jpg

I gotta say, I like this a lot.

Why? And considering the attendance, it appears that you're one of the few that supports the Bills in Toronto.
Over 15,000 Ontarians cross the border every Bills game.

A game or two across the lake is an appropriate token of gratitude, IMO.

Rogers Centre only seats ~50K, BTW, plus the tickets are overpriced.

Over 15,000 Ontarians cross the border every Bills game.

A game or two across the lake is an appropriate token of gratitude, IMO.

Rogers Centre only seats ~50K, BTW, plus the tickets are overpriced.

Are the tickets really overpriced or are they in line with normal NFL tickets but more that what Torotonian is used to paying?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/4725158413_50ca1513ab_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcolcccp/4725158413/sizes/l/in/photostream/



http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4785112587_95f166bce1_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fifthconspiracy/4785112587/sizes/l/in/photostream/




http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4747372645_017a76b20b_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theslowlane/4747372645/sizes/l/in/photostream/

It looked better how it was.

How high will be the new retractable roof from the playing field? What will be the distance between the playing field and the closed roof?

Are the renovations going to remove the ability to convert the field into baseball dimensions?

^^I hope so, sir. BC's baseball configuration looks even worse than thre Metrodome.

How high will be the new retractable roof from the playing field?

How high will be the new retractable roof from the playing field?

It'll be a little higher than the Statue of Liberty from its base to the torch...so over 300-feet.

del

del

Please don't post multiple images of the same scene that don't show significant changes between the pics - it takes way too long to load the page and it will cause people to avoid the thread.

Thanks.

Please don't post multiple images of the same scene that don't show significant changes between the pics - it takes way too long to load the page and it will cause people to avoid the thread.

Thanks.


Now, I think, there is no problem with page loading...

Thanks!

New webcam "Stadium Roof Cam" is up showing most of the roof:

http://www.earthcam.com/clients/bcplace/index.php

Can't wait for football to return to BC Place. Go Lions!

edit

Rainbow :)

http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/5404/bohdan-astro.e3/0_44e69_8c9bc076_XXL.jpg (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/bohdan-astro/view/282217/)

^^Beautiful!

Great!!

And the location is awesome.
I hate the trend here in Germany to build new stadiums in the middle of nowhere as far away from the center of the cities as possible.

Join this stadium is also used for soccer matches, as it is called in Canada?

So yes, what club?

Francfort+o2 arena = this stadium :D

Join this stadium is also used for soccer matches, as it is called in Canada?

So yes, what club?

Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Join this stadium is also used for soccer matches, as it is called in Canada?

So yes, what club?

Vancouver Whitecaps. They are moving up to MLS next year.

http://vancouvermls2011.com/



On another note, Whitecaps ticket prices were just announced and they are very high. Fans are quite angry about it.

Someone posted at Big Soccer that there's a request for proposal from Pavco for 40,000 new seats. This will be 10k short of the total 55k the stadium will be finished with, minus the 5k club seats already planned in the mid-lower level areas. So who knows what's going on there.

The request is for plastic seats with steel frame, 50cm width, gravity hinge (no spring), hinged armrest, welded steel cup holder.
Seat colours- 30% Stone Grey, 20% Quartz Grey, 30% Traffic Red, 20% Ruby Red.

Recent shots posted on SSP:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5227090831_9881419112_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5227090831/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5227094215_5f944244a3_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5227094215/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5227691482_578fe463c3_b.jpg
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=151228

Looking down Robson:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5176/img91620.jpg

Pic taken by a friend of mine on Saturday:

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9100/dsc0324h.jpg (http://img713.imageshack.us/i/dsc0324h.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5640/bcplacedecember1st2010p.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, December 1st, 2010.

This view from Beatty Street near Robson might well be my favourite. The new stadium masts and cabling appear to be impossibly tall and encompassing; they fill the sky.

That water shot reminds me of the O2 Millenium!

:cheers:

incredible. what an icon for the city!

By SFUVancouver taken on Dec 13th:

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9699/bcplacedec132010p122066.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, December 13th, 2010.

It looks as if the new roof is going to swallow up all of downtown Vancouver.:lol:

Here is a pic I took Dec 31st. Not so recent though since more progress has been made:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5313937766_5188e84c4d_b.jpg

:eek2:

Geez!! I used to live in Vancouver few years ago and i didn´t know that the roof are being rebuilt!! What a great surprise...
The works started after the olimpic games?
It seems to be going fast...

Last column installation from webcams:

fgdg1zx1tfQ

Last beam installation and start of RK8500 crane dismantling.
-3r7RDTAOSw

cool video
great to see the progress
I like it! :)

Would this place be able to hold a NFL franchise?

Coming along rather nice.

Would this place be able to hold a NFL franchise?

It already houses the BC Lions of the CFL.

Would this place be able to hold a NFL franchise?

No. Too small and not enough luxury seating.

for more photos, visit this thread...

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=591520&page=30

^^ Yeah thanks for link. :cheers:
I see that's much more informative thread....

Here's a pic I took last weekend:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5403303165_4f3efe8163_b.jpg

Meh. Won't have the atmosphere - or behind-the-goal beer garden - of Swangard. But you won't get mold or mildew watching a game either.

Will miss the marshmallow-in-bondage look of the old roof.

It was announced today that the renovations will be complete on September 30.

small update

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5462687862_d101f806c5_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/claytonperry/5462687862/sizes/l/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5462084347_bc04d5c566_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/claytonperry/5462084347/sizes/l/in/photostream/


for more bc place latest photos:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=591520&page=32

How will this place look as a soccer stadium??

No. Too small and not enough luxury seating.

I don't think it is too small to host the NFL, but I agree about it not having enough luxury seating. And yes, it does already host the CFL and soon MLS. ....

I bet concerts there might be a Hit, too!

How will this place look as a soccer stadium??

http://www.bcplacestadium.com/newsreleases/WC_Vision_2011.jpg

http://www.bcplacestadium.com/newsreleases/WC_Vision_2011.jpg

That is actually an old render. You can see the final soccer configuration here (http://whitecaps.io-media.com/).

A lot of those views are quite impressive, however a few of the corners are potentially hidden because of the high perimeter wall.

^^ Not with the length of this Stadiums field, it would be over 140m long to fit the CFL pitch in.

You can get a much better feeling for BC Place's soccer setup on the virtual seat viewer.

http://whitecaps.io-media.com/

All in all, it's a very nice re-fit of an outdated stadium. However, the teams have to play on a plastic pitch, not so good for soccer. It will hurt the Whitecap's chances of recruiting good players. Other MLS teams have had the same problem.

I read elsewhere that they had a very interesting stadium proposal for another part of town, but couldn't get it done. Not a shock really as local politicians must have forced them to play here to help offset the costs of the re-building.

Wonder how long they'll want to stay here if they have to keep playing on plastic.

There will be just one tier after the renovation????

There will be just one tier after the renovation????

It still will have two tiers, but the roof can be raised or lowered. For football, where they expect to have more fans, the roof will be raised to expose both tiers. For soccer, the roof will be lowered so that only the lower level is exposed, which creates a better atmosphere with less attendance.

^^ Sweet! Now I got it!
I was confused with this render.
Thanks

The roof doesn't exactly raise and lower. There will be a sub roofing material (I call them tarps :)), which will hang from the fixed part of the main roof above. At least that is from what I can see from various renders. I'm still not convinced it will make the experience that much better, but I'll wait and see. Apparently the turf will be the latest and greatest type of "plastic" out there. If it's any better than the Field Turf I've played on in the past, it won't be too bad. This stadium was the only way the Caps were going to get in the MLS. I think they have a five year contract with the stadium. After that, it's anyone's guess.

I don't think it is too small to host the NFL, but I agree about it not having enough luxury seating. And yes, it does already host the CFL and soon MLS. ....

I bet concerts there might be a Hit, too!

BC Place holds about 6,000 fewer seats than the smallest NFL stadium. It's definitely too small to go along with not having enough luxury seating.

If everyone spent an average of a hundred dollars per ticket, maybe. But this is all moot.

There will be just one tier after the renovation????

Here is a render from the tv news of what it will look like when finished.
http://i53.tinypic.com/2evrti0.jpg

The football setup. I'm not liking this inner tarp thing at all. Mind that the seats will look like the above.
When they did the Virtual Venue they didn't have the seat colours sorted out yet.
http://i53.tinypic.com/2eyua1d.jpg

Similar to Commerzbank Arena
http://i56.tinypic.com/212vfxk.jpg
pic by Ols3n (http://www.flickr.com/photos/88597676@N00/) on flickr (http://flic.kr/p/8nZod/)

What's the capacity in soccer mode?

^^ Not with the length of this Stadiums field, it would be over 140m long to fit the CFL pitch in.

Well what I meant was upon viewing the virtual venue viewer posted earlier, in football (soccer) mode, if you go to the corners, for example go to section 222, Row CC, the near side corner is all but hidden.

What's the capacity in soccer mode?

Soccer: 20,000
(Canadian) Football: 54,500

I just watched a preview vid of the new roof on the BC Place website.

Apparently, the new video cube can be retracted all the way to the ceiling. Wow.:cheers:

Can the JerryTron at Cowboys Stadium be retracted all the way to the ceiling?

^It can all the way to the pitch as well :colgate:

Commerzbank Arena video display. I think BC Place's is much larger.
http://i52.tinypic.com/21jveav.jpg
http://www.sco.at/events/bilder/Frankfurt/CommerzbankArena2005%20226.jpg

Soccer: 20,000
(Canadian) Football: 54,500

Why so small capacity in soccer mode?

Similar project (at least roof part) in Warsaw National Stadium - opening in June this year - 56,000 in soccer mode - default for that object:
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9939/17225112533386087331911.jpg

^It can all the way to the pitch as well :colgate:

Commerzbank Arena video display. I think BC Place's is much larger.
http://i52.tinypic.com/21jveav.jpg
http://www.sco.at/events/bilder/Frankfurt/CommerzbankArena2005%20226.jpg

Commerzbank Arena's got problems with shadows on the grass, so bigger box can be a bigger problem.

Why so small capacity in soccer mode?

Similar project (at least roof part) in Warsaw National Stadium - opening in June this year - 56,000 in soccer mode -

Initially they thought 20,000 would be more in line with projected ticket demand. However, tickets are flying off the shelf. Season tickets are at 16,000 and I suspect they could go much higher than that. If ticket demand keeps up then they'll likely open up more of the stadium

Initially they thought 20,000 would be more in line with projected ticket demand. However, tickets are flying off the shelf. Season tickets are at 16,000 and I suspect they could go much higher than that. If ticket demand keeps up then they'll likely open up more of the stadium

Actually the bottom rung holds about 27,000. A lot of that scarcity is just because of Bell branded tarping of seats. Basically, the Whitecaps can slowly increase demand as it seems fit (the Seattle Sounders plan. The Sounders started out as a 27,000 seat configuration at Qwest). Also, they've put the cap on tickets at 21,000 now.

I wonder how successful Seattle has been by essentially curating their ticket supply. Would they have sold the same amount of seats had they opened up the entire stadium right from the get go? I guess the reason Vancouver is applying the same method means that it works but I do wonder.

Seattle is just plain hungry for pro sports, seeing that the Sonics left a few years ago, around the time the Sounders joined MLS. Much like Vancouver, they've also had a bit of history when they were part of the NASL. They're a soccer hotbed to some degree too.

The whole idea with reducing seating capacity is that they don't want a bunch of empty seats shown during games. They want people sitting together, which makes for a nicer atmosphere. If demand is clearly there, then it's an easy adjustment. I'm pretty sure the season ticket limit will be well under 20 thousand for awhile though, just a hunch.

The whole idea with reducing seating capacity is that they don't want a bunch of empty seats shown during games. They want people sitting together, which makes for a nicer atmosphere. If demand is clearly there, then it's an easy adjustment. I'm pretty sure the season ticket limit will be well under 20 thousand for awhile though, just a hunch.

To keep nice atmosphere sounds like reasonable argument for reducing seating capacity. But anyway, so much free space around for about 15-16 thousand people still makes impression you are lost in space. that is why one of our local teams refused to play on such a big stadium and they prefer to use their old 10,000 arena.

To keep nice atmosphere sounds like reasonable argument for reducing seating capacity. But anyway, so much free space around for about 15-16 thousand people still makes impression you are lost in space. that is why one of our local teams refused to play on such a big stadium and they prefer to use their old 10,000 arena.For sure. If the Whitecaps had a choice, which they don't, they would play in a 20 to 25 thousand seater. They're going to do the best with what they've been given, for at least the next five years. The tarps hung around the stadium might help prevent that "lost in space" feeling. I'm hoping they won't need them.

Telus lands naming rights (http://www.teamradio.ca/news/telus-close-to-securing-naming-rights-for-bc-place/) for refurbished B.C. Place stadium.

So the Whitecaps, with Bell as their shirt sponsor, will be playing in Telus Place across the street from Rogers Arena? LOL ... sponsorships gone crazy!

Shame they could complete this for July/August as I am working there for 2 months and would love to watch a game in there. Oh well, nice renovation though.

Wait, so are the Whitecaps playing here?

Wait, so are the Whitecaps playing here?Starting in October.

Yeah what Plumber73 said, although I must say I do love the stadium they're using now.

Why so small capacity in soccer mode?


Soccer isn't the huge phenomena in Canada like it is in the rest of the world. MLS only put their first team in Canada a couple years ago and it will take a long long time before you'll see soccer elbow aside traditional Canadian sports like football and hockey. Hockey is still king in Canada. Next comes football (Canadian), baseball, and basketball. The big 4 domestic sports have dominated the Canadian sports landscape for over a century. Soccer is the new (and imported) kid on the block.

Also, it should be noted once again that the restriction on soccer capacity is strictly self-imposed. If there is excess demand, they will keep on increasing the capacity accordingly until they reach the ultimate capacity of about 60,000. Obviously it is not likely that the Whitecaps will sell 60,000 tix each game, hence the reason why the capacity is limited to begin with.

Posted by Built Form over at SSP:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1020590.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1020592.jpg
pics by Built Form

Taken yesterday they show the ribs and louvre supports going in. Plus you can see how much they've lowered the centre tower support in the past week.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1020638.jpg
pic by Built Form

Huge progress in 3 days! Central tower support is coming down very quickly.

:lol:
Just a little similar with Warsaw National Stadium, with Canadian Style.
:banana::banana::banana:

Following close behind the Warsaw stadium in stage of construction.

Posted by SFUVancouver at SSP:

BC Place as seen from the Cambie Street Bridge.
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/816/bcplacemay312011p125021.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, May 31st 2011.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4161/bcplace2may312011p12502.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, May 31st 2011.

Posted by JLousa at SSP:

Took a bunch of pics on my walk tonight.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace1.jpg
Supports in place for Watercube material.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace2.jpg
Major work still on this gate.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace3.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace4.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace5.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace6.jpg
Ribbing on North side

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace7.jpg
Extensive wooden platform for machinery.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace8.jpg
New Canopy supports

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace9.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace10.jpg
Looks like some work along Expo Blvd as well.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace11.jpg
What masts look like once final coat is applied

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace12.jpg
Really love the cut outs/new boxes, these will add much needed light into the concourses

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace13.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace14.jpg
Another new canopy over one of the gates.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/jlousa/BCPlace15.jpg

From the BC Place Flickr account - lots of pics posted June 6th, 2011 - lots more at the link.
It seems to be following in lock-step right after the Warsaw stadium.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcplace/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/5805110690_395a4e971d_z.jpg
BC Place Glass Roof Shelf
The glass shelf will form a ring at the edge of the permanent fixed roof. This is where the edge of the
retractable roof will meet the fixed roof and form a weather-tight seal

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/5805108568_618f564b63_z.jpg
Glass Shelf
The glass shelf will form a ring at the edge of the permanent fixed roof. This is where the edge of
the retractable roof will meet the fixed roof and form a weather-tight seal


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/5804552051_551437e267_z.jpg
Tension Cables
The tension ring cable runs the entire circumference of the stadium 10 times, placing tension
on the foot of each mast to counter the forces placed on the top of the masts


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5319/5804553605_24a2cdef8d_z.jpg
BC Place Inner Bowl

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/5804553895_34bf551523_z.jpg
BC Place Retractable Roof
Centre Node of the Retractable Roof at BC Place

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5805111128_3ca802ec6d_z.jpg
Seismic Dampers
One of dozens of seismic dampers that have been installed as part of the stadium revitalization at BC Place

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/5804553425_8d271fd5d3_z.jpg
BC Place Retractable Roof

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/5805110500_d0f6639cbd_z.jpg
BC Place Retractable Roof Mast Supports

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/5804552983_8ff1f2a4d9_z.jpg
BC Place Retractable Roof Clerestory

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/5804552711_c3704c3679_z.jpg
BC Place Roof Cable Work

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/5804551189_b3a841e295_z.jpg
New Service Gantry

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/5804551937_5a117222a6_z.jpg
BC Place

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2246/5805059718_801bc74e63_z.jpg
Seat Samples
The original blue seats will be replaced with wider, more comfortable and modern seats

^^^^ Its looking good

Does anyone have anymore plans/drawings etc.

And how do you feel about artificial turf, problem no problem?

I visited Vancouver last month, and got some snapshots of the construction site.

It looks like the new roof is about to engulf downtown's skyscrapers.:uh:

And how do you feel about artificial turf, problem no problem?

Artificial turf has come a long way. I play Canadian football and prefer it to grass. The traction is better and it doesn't hurt when you fall. Soccer people seem to be more insistent on grass, but I doubt MLS would agree to play on artificial turf if it wasn't good enough. I'm assuming this will be Field Turf (brand).

I'm nostalgic for grass, but that's about it.

geez! i believed i was on Warsaw new stadium thred :lol:

just kidding :)

Where do play actual team?

Does anyone have anymore plans/drawings etc.

And how do you feel about artificial turf, problem no problem?

Plans are available at the BC Place Flickr account.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcplace/

Pic by awvan on SSP:

A shot from last night (my buddy's place has a pretty sweet view):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/5833127351_af5425d95b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexwrenphoto/5833127351/)
BC Place construction (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexwrenphoto/5833127351/) by Alex.Wren.Photo (http://www.flickr.com/people/alexwrenphoto/), on Flickr

Looks like something from the future. Amazing though

I'm gone ask a stupid question :

it's a stadium with cap around 50.000, but when there will be a football game the cap will be around 20.000

Are they then lowering the roof to the 1st tier? Because I saw pics on the threat when there's a football game 1 tier

I'm gone ask a stupid question :

it's a stadium with cap around 50.000, but when there will be a football game the cap will be around 20.000

Are they then lowering the roof to the 1st tier? Because I saw pics on the threat when there's a football game 1 tierThe roof doesn't actually lower... When they limit the capacity to 20-25 thousand, they want to hang some sort of fabric around the stadium to make things feel more intimate. Shall be interesting to see.

The roof doesn't actually lower... When they limit the capacity to 20-25 thousand, they want to hang some sort of fabric around the stadium to make things feel more intimate. Shall be interesting to see.

Thanks mate
like they do in Seatle, the upper tears covered with banners and...

^^ No, like this:

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/3838/wcvision2011.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/wcvision2011.jpg/)

It's gonna look more like an European stadium, i like it

And for Canadian Football, it will be configured at the larger capacity like this:

http://www.bcplacestadium.com/images/roofinterior.jpg
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/images/roofinterior.jpg

Celebrating 150 years of Canadian Football!

Why are they going to erect that wall-thing in front of the endzone seats for soccer matches? I hope they don't have that when the Whitecaps actually start playing there. Don't think they will be able to seat 20,000 + without the endzone seats.

Why are they going to erect that wall-thing in front of the endzone seats for soccer matches? I hope they don't have that when the Whitecaps actually start playing there. Don't think they will be able to seat 20,000 + without the endzone seats.

Virtual Venue has a more current set-up:
http://whitecaps.io-media.com/

Seat colors are wrong and there's no longer a link to it on the Whitecaps' website, so it may not be the final set-up, but it came out well after the renders from above. Here are a few screen shots:

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2897/interioroverhead.jpg
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7793/interiorrl.jpg

Cripes soccer is cheap! $319 for season's tickets? That's about 15 games, isn't it? :shocked:

^^ No, like this:

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/3838/wcvision2011.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/wcvision2011.jpg/)

Doen't it take a lot of natural light away by lowering "the roof" during a game?

The pitch will get enough natural light when there will be no matches and the roof is like when there is a canadian football game

Virtual Venue has a more current set-up:
http://whitecaps.io-media.com/

Seat colors are wrong and there's no longer a link to it on the Whitecaps' website, so it may not be the final set-up, but it came out well after the renders from above. Here are a few screen shots:

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2897/interioroverhead.jpg
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7793/interiorrl.jpg

I hope the view in reality is better than that as the near corner flag is obstructed.

Doen't it take a lot of natural light away by lowering "the roof" during a game?

The pitch will get enough natural light when there will be no matches and the roof is like when there is a canadian football gameThat's a good question, and I've wondered about that myself. I'm a little bit skeptical about how well it will work. Night games shouldn't be a problem cause you can use the lighting they would normally use, but during the day, who knows how much natural light will get through? You'd think there would be a lot of lighting tests on scale models or by computer before hand.

1/3 or 1/4 of the retractable portion of the roof has been installed (or at least put into place) the next portion appears to be on it's way in a matter of a couple days.

Posted by Built Form over at SSP:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030174.jpg
pic by Built Form

djmk called it, here's a shot of the first fabric installation.

Posted by SFUVancouver over at SSP.
One pic shows a completed clerestory panel.

The BC Place website says the opening is 100 metres by 85 metres.
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/index.php/roof.html

Some photos from today from various vantage points.
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7414/bcplace1june2320110p125.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, June 23rd 2011.

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/4010/bcplace2june2320110p125.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, June 23rd 2011.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2003/bcplace3june2320110p125.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, June 23rd 2011.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/3943/bcplace4june232011p1250.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, June 23rd 2011.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7821/bcplace6june2320110p125.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, June 23rd 2011.

Courtesy of peterprinciple at SSP and BC Pavilion Corp - owner of BC Place Stadium - posted at SSP:

Courtesy of peterprinciple and pavco. ;) Hosted on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/64480981@N06/sets/72157626915175245/with/5868145918/).

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5867588825_6589d90402_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5867589539_fb1c11f48c_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5868145918_63bc0ca982_b.jpg

Are they still gonna be able to play baseball at BC Place? The new roof looks too low but it'd be nice to see one last game at the stadium (like a round of the World Baseball Classic or an MLB exhibition). The Louisiana Superdome and Aloha Stadium never gave baseball a proper sendoff before recent renovations, I'd hate to see Vancouver do the same.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/4936/bcplacestadium05.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/535/bcplacestadium05.jpg/)

Are they still gonna be able to play baseball at BC Place? The new roof looks too low but it'd be nice to see one last game at the stadium (like a round of the World Baseball Classic or an MLB exhibition). The Louisiana Superdome and Aloha Stadium never gave baseball a proper sendoff before recent renovations, I'd hate to see Vancouver do the same.At its centre, the new roof is actually about the same height as the original. The central node will be 200 feet above the floor, from what I've read at least. The only thing I could see getting in the way might be the scoreboard, which they should be able to raise.

Are they still gonna be able to play baseball at BC Place? The new roof looks too low but it'd be nice to see one last game at the stadium (like a round of the World Baseball Classic or an MLB exhibition). The Louisiana Superdome and Aloha Stadium never gave baseball a proper sendoff before recent renovations, I'd hate to see Vancouver do the same.


The ring beam where the new roof itself starts is a good distance above the original rim of the stadium (so the curvature of the new roof is shallower) - the clerestory panels have been added to allow light into the stadium from the sides above the stands.

Here's a short vid uploaded today from the inside. They are already putting in some of the red seats I see.

1Z7WvXBmTvg

The ring beam where the new roof itself starts is a good distance above the original rim of the stadium (so the curvature of the new roof is shallower) - the clerestory panels have been added to allow light into the stadium from the sides above the stands.

At its centre, the new roof is actually about the same height as the original. The central node will be 200 feet above the floor, from what I've read at least. The only thing I could see getting in the way might be the scoreboard, which they should be able to raise.

Cool, thanks for the info!

Seat Samples
The original blue seats will be replaced with wider, more comfortable and modern seats

http://i.imgur.com/fGO8Y.jpg


It's funny that in 1983 the capacity of BC Place with the blue seats was 59,000. Now with the wider red seats in place capacity has been reduced (in accordance to 28 years of Canadians ever widening backsides) to 54,000.

It's funny that in 1983 the capacity of BC Place with the blue seats was 59,000. Now with the wider red seats in place capacity has been reduced (in accordance to 28 years of Canadians ever widening backsides) to 54,000.Don't fret, it's not just a Canadian phenomena. Many a US venue has experienced the same thing with their renovations, where the net increase from an expansion is lower than you'd think because older sections have been redone with wider seats. In many college stadiums with bleachers, they simply realigned the numbers so that a row that might have had X seats now has X-2, with each seat being an inch or so wider.

Verily, our species is supersizing! :eek:

For those who don't know, they built a $15-million temporary stadium in the city for the Canadian football and soccer team while BC Place is under construction...

EMPIRE FIELDS: Capacity is 27,500 seats, including two roofed main grandstands and twelve VIP suites. 20,500 seats have been equipped with seat shells, 7,000 with bench seating for the balance.

There's talk of keeping Empire Fields as a permanent stadium as the fans love it. It's on the grounds of the Pacific National Exhibition.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4781802431_bbf543cdff_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rfenster/4781802431/sizes/l/in/photostream/


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5598334860_063bdd5aa4_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/retrocactus/5598334860/sizes/l/in/photostream/



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5586647303_4deb4ca932_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillygwailo/5586647303/sizes/l/in/photostream/


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5597753227_7eef45c354_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/retrocactus/5597753227/sizes/l/in/photostream/


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/5847240032_fee2f48b7c_b.jpg

Posted by Built Form over at SSP.
Looks like BC Place's roof will have 2 layers.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1030363.jpg
pic by Built Form

I don't have a good telephoto lens but yes are layering the fabric above and below the ribs. You can just see the packages of fabric bundled on top.

Posted by Vanman over at SSP.
Note the metal grills below plastic clerestory panels.

Took these shots today:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/cca1480a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/a3a6938d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/f59ae76f.jpg

There's talk of keeping Empire Fields as a permanent stadium as the fans love it. It's on the grounds of the Pacific National Exhibition.



If they keep it as a permanent stadium, how is it expected to be used? Still used for soccer, or maybe football? Do they anticipate a permanent tenant?

Hmmm. The Empire Field stands are rented - so if it becomes a permanent fixture, someone will have to buy or rent them.

The stadium at Empire Field will not be kept. The only things staying after BC Place opens are the stadium lights. Turf fields will occupy the site once the stadium is deconstructed.

Also, can't speak about soccer fans, but (gridiron) football fans hate the temporary stadium and can't wait to move back into the dome. Both season ticket base and actual attendance is way down at Empire Field.

The stadium at Empire Field will not be kept. The only things staying after BC Place opens are the stadium lights. Turf fields will occupy the site once the stadium is deconstructed.

Also, can't speak about soccer fans, but (gridiron) football fans hate the temporary stadium and can't wait to move back into the dome. Both season ticket base and actual attendance is way down at Empire Field.

Well the stadium does Hold a lot less capacity wise so shock horror, attendance is down!:ohno:

BC fans are soft. Football should be played outdoors!:cheers:

Its soooo..... European looking

Doesn't look like any of the other recently built football stadiums in North America... and thats not a good thing

Its soooo..... European looking

Doesn't look like any of the other recently built football stadiums in North America... and thats not a good thing

Probably because it wasn't built recently. It's a 30 year old stadium that's being refurbished.

Looks like a great location, one question: probably stated somewhere, but what capacity will FC configure the stadium to?

Yes I'm aware its a refurbishment. They're basically trying to shine a turd. Who refburishes arenas of this size and capacity in this day and age?? Just a testament to the lack of economic muscle in Vancouver

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5918981910_d8dbd44426_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/murman/5918981910/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5918983724_35cd110afc_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/murman/5918983724/

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5918980030_a6c1f14915_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/murman/5918980030/

Will the Indycar race ever come back?

Yes I'm aware its a refurbishment. They're basically trying to shine a turd. Who refburishes arenas of this size and capacity in this day and age?? Just a testament to the lack of economic muscle in Vancouver

It would cost way to much money to build a brand new stadium. Plus its in a great location in the centre of the city

Will the Indycar race ever come back?No. At least not where the Indy used to race. Everything either has or will be developed.

Yes I'm aware its a refurbishment. They're basically trying to shine a turd. Who refburishes arenas of this size and capacity in this day and age?? Just a testament to the lack of economic muscle in VancouverIt's a half billion dollar refurbishment. The total cost of the stadium would probably put it in the top 10 or 15 in the world. Name another stadium that has a better location. There's probably not many. The original roof lifespan had long passed, so it was time to deal with that. They could have just replaced the teflon and kept it air supported, but they went all out. The actual bones of the structure is fine.

Really amazing cityscape, and beautiful stadium: classy shape, nice location, ect...
But I have this impression that the "hole" in the roof is too small, maybe it's an optical illusion, or maybe there will be artificial turf...
Any idea?

Really amazing cityscape, and beautiful stadium: classy shape, nice location, ect...
But I have this impression that the "hole" in the roof is too small, maybe it's an optical illusion, or maybe there will be artificial turf...
Any idea?It'll be artificial turf, which I'm not a big fan of. Of course, you can install real grass temporarily for the odd high profile game. And yes, the opening is smaller than what I would have liked. At 100 metres by 85 metres, the opening would be smaller than the maximum sized soccer pitch (120 metres by 90 metres). Apparently this was an engineering decision. There weren't a lot of options with the cable supported roof, but it was probably cheaper than a fully retractable (i.e., Safeco Field, or the Rogers Centre).

Who refburishes arenas of this size and capacity in this day and age??

Chicago, Columbus, Green Bay, Berlin, the list is very very long. Tearing a stadium down to build from scratch is stupid when it's not necessary. I doubt the folks in those cities above are complaining about their stadia.

Well the stadium does Hold a lot less capacity wise so shock horror, attendance is down!:ohno:

BC fans are soft. Football should be played outdoors!:cheers:

But BC Lions attendance isn't even at capacity in the much smaller Empire Field. I agree about Vancouver fans being soft. I just hope that Lions' attendance bumps back up to where it was in the early 80s when BC Place first opened.

1983 45,551
1984 42,354
1985 42,336
1986 46,526

http://cfl-scrapbook.no-ip.org/CFL-Attendance.php