BC Place: Stadium Refurbishment | Completed

[WarrenC12]

Funny the ironworkers didn't put their bid in that article. Is the government required to accept the lowest bid? I'm guessing they would go 10% higher to keep the work local, but no doubt the local bid was ~50% more.

[GeeCee]

I doubt that they're required to select anyone for anything. They probably look at a company's track record and experience in addition to how much they bid and if they're from BC.

[jlousa]

That is correct, the governement is not obligated to chose the lowest bid, but it must explain why it chose whichever bid it does and it's easier to explain the lowest bid. If a government were to chose a local company on the basis that their local only I imagine there would be legal action by the other bidders.

[Xrayal]

David Podmore is speaking with Bill Good starting at 0835 this morning, he is still speaking as im posting this, so im guessing he will speak till 0930. Worth a listen, he defends and builds a case for the new roof and answers callers questions. An interesting bit was at about 0855 or (54:30 in the windows media player)CKNW Audiovault (http://www.cknw.com/other/audiovault.html) he mentions that in two weeks there will be an announcement about the first development on the site.

[WarrenC12]

Interesting comments, nice that he said that anything that was a reasonable alternative site has to be on rapid transit. He also talked about $40m in annual additional revenue in advertising, sponsorship, etc.

Recommended listen for anybody interested in the project, although there were 2 things missing:

1. No concrete talk about the home of the BC Lions for the next 1.5 seasons (I hear they are in talks around Empire but something must be holding it up)
2. No RE deals announced yet, although we will hear the firs major one in 2 weeks, 1.4m sq ft. worth.

[jlousa]

Pavco did issue an RFP last week for a temp stadium, it was one of the worst RFPs I've seen. To be honest all of Pavco's rfp are below industry standard. They could learn a thing or two from Translink. Anyways the rfp calls for a stadium of between 32-34K, 24 private boxes. concessions and bathrooms, 80% of seating is to be along the sidelines with 20% in the endzones. As well 80% of the seating must be individual seating (not benches). What is missing in the rfp is any indication of site. Now I understand there is no site chosen yet, but why bother with an rfp, how can they expect a proper tender w/o the most important detail.:shrug:

[jlousa]

seems like some modest changes already, here's the latest

Pavco, the crown corporation responsible for BC Place, is seeking proposals for the construction of temporary grandstands to facilitate the formation of a stadium suitable for the playing of Canadian football or soccer.

Specific requirements are:
- Capacity of 30,000 to 32,000 with at least 75% of the seats covered
- Individual and seating preferred (to at least 85% of capacity)
- Other facilities required include:
- 24 private boxes
- Media facilities (press box)
- Broadcast boxes

The location in the Greater Vancouver area is to be determined.


RFP closes Nov 20th 2009
Winner announced Dec 5th 2009
Work complete June 15, 2009 (Guess winner must provide their own time machine) Great RFP writing.

[officedweller]

I think Kerfoot should respond to the RFP,
but wait, that's what BC Place is being renovated for - oh well.....

Maybe build it at UBC or Swanguard rather than being truly temporary...

[jlousa]

kerfoot could respond to the RFP but not sure how he could complete in that deadline. But mind you if Pavco allows him to use their time machine it could work.:tup:
It would make sense for UBC or SFU to jump at this and get a new bigger stadium out of this. As much as Empire Stadium was great it would be a shame to see it go to waste again. Maybe a deal could be worked out that Empire stadium becomes home to both universities but it's awfully far from either and not that accessible by transit.

[officedweller]

Yeah, the part that got me thinking about it being more permanent is that it has to have 75% of the seats covered (as well as the boxes).
That'll be a big expenditure (even if its a fabric tent roof).

[LeftCoaster]

^Yeah I noticed that too... seems kinda weird to cover the stands just for a small period of time.

It would be cool if they could use this money to upgrade Thunderbird but it is so far removed from the rest of the metro it would make sense considering the fan base for the Lions.

Maybe swanguard? If there is room in central park for any kind of expansion.

[WarrenC12]

^Yeah I noticed that too... seems kinda weird to cover the stands just for a small period of time.

It would be cool if they could use this money to upgrade Thunderbird but it is so far removed from the rest of the metro it would make sense considering the fan base for the Lions.

Maybe swanguard? If there is room in central park for any kind of expansion.

Good point on Thunderbird, although it is a hassle to get to. Making use of this money to permanently upgrade an existing facility makes the most sense.

[Overground]

I don't think there's that much room at Swangard. You could build stands over the track portions but parking would be an issue.

There's the issue of the pitch both sports would have to play on. Grid-iron is usually played on a plastic pitch when sharing with soccer because it destroys the grass for soccer to be played on properly. This is why the MLS stadia that still share have FieldTurf. CFL will play in summer/fall along with the Caps so plastic is most likely going to be the option. Thunderbird, Swangard, may not be the answer.

If Empire Field is used as a car park for the Olympics anyway, then perhaps installing BC Place's plastic pitch(it will get a new one for 2011) there will be good. I don't know about drainage though.

What about Andy Livingstone Park fields? Plenty of room to build temp stands and transit and parking not an issue.

[Rusty Gull]

Great idea to refurbish Thunderbird. The two major drawbacks would be: 1) Parking; 2) Lack of public transit. But it would be a wonderful amenity for the university.

Another option might be to use this as another development opportunity for Surrey Central. Afterall, it's well-served by transit, and Surrey's major seems to have the right mindset for civic events and venues.

And we are talking about the BC Lions, not the Vancouver Lions, afterall.

They should go for it!

[Stingray2004]

Specific requirements are:
- Capacity of 30,000 to 32,000 with at least 75% of the seats covered
- Individual and seating preferred (to at least 85% of capacity)
- Other facilities required include:
- 24 private boxes
- Media facilities (press box)
- Broadcast boxes

Holy smokes... that's an extremely expensive temporary proposition. Is this even financially viable? What would a very rough ballpark cost estimate be? $50 million? Sheesh.

[Vancity]

seems like some modest changes already, here's the latest

Pavco, the crown corporation responsible for BC Place, is seeking proposals for the construction of temporary grandstands to facilitate the formation of a stadium suitable for the playing of Canadian football or soccer.

Specific requirements are:
- Capacity of 30,000 to 32,000 with at least 75% of the seats covered
- Individual and seating preferred (to at least 85% of capacity)
- Other facilities required include:
- 24 private boxes
- Media facilities (press box)
- Broadcast boxes

The location in the Greater Vancouver area is to be determined.


RFP closes Nov 20th 2009
Winner announced Dec 5th 2009
Work complete June 15, 2009 (Guess winner must provide their own time machine) Great RFP writing.

This almost sounds like a permanent solution. What are they going to do with this "temporary" stadium after the Whitecaps and Lions leave for BC Place? I can't see them tearing it down - that doesn't really make much sense, after putting in millions of dollars into the stadium.

[officedweller]

Doesn't seem like Thunderbird is on the table:

The sun hasn't set yet on Empire
All signs point to a temporary venue

By Kent Gilchrist, The Province
November 20, 2009

B.C. Lions fans and NASL Whitecaps fans, too, should prepare for a ride down memory lane. You romantics and nostalgia freaks are likely to be inundated with the wonders of watching your favourite CFL and MLS team outdoors once again at Empire Stadium.

Perhaps sitting in seats with a view of the Lions of the North Shore Mountains. What could be better on a sun-dappled summer evening?

There have been nearly three generations of fans since the teams vacated the two-by-four benches at Empire Stadium where a puddle -- hopefully dry -- of pigeon or seagull excrement might have been deposited free of charge. Since 1983, the Lions have played in the controlled, indoor confines of B.C. Place Stadium.

The request for proposals from companies interested in winning the bid to construct the temporary outdoor stadium by the crown corporation PavCo closes today.

They are being vague on the location for the venue on which to build it, but everything would seem to point toward the Pacific National Exhibition grounds and in the footprint that remains of old Empire Stadium. If you listen close you might hear Joe Kapp or Willie Johnston.

PavCo has already been stated that it is the "preferred" site and it has the endorsement of the Lions, who will be the chief tenant. The Whitecaps don't begin their Major League Soccer affiliation until 2011 and will remain at cozy Swangard Stadium in Burnaby next year.

But they will open their 2011 MLS season where the NASL champs of 1979 used to play.

And team president Bob Lenarduzzi will to attempt to bring in a high calibre European team for a friendly next year at the temporary facility, which also happens to be the 100th anniversary of the PNE.

It's only seven months until the Lions will need a home. But they have to start selling seats for next year and have inserted a configuration for a 32,000-seat stadium in their season ticket renewal package.

Since nobody from PavCo has contacted University of B.C. athletic director Bob Philip about expanding Thunderbird Stadium, the smart money is on Empire Stadium, even if the grass field there is a bog when it rains for a couple of days. PavCo, after all, has the artificial turf the Lions have been using that could be installed over an upgraded gravel drainage base.

The majority of the Lions season ticket holders still reside in Vancouver, so it's also unlikely it would be erected on the other side of the Fraser River. Lions fans from Surrey, Langley and Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and other points east are accustomed to coming into the city. Going to Empire would save them a few minutes drive time. Vancouverites would be less inclined to travel out of town.

A perceived problem with Thunderbird Stadium would be getting that many people in and out of the UBC campus, which is likely why nobody has contacted Philip. For Lions fans coming from the east side of the Fraser it would add to their drive time.

Apparently, there's no shortage of companies interested in bidding for the job even with the compressed time line -- because of security issues they'll have to wait until after the Olympics -- to erect the seats, washroom facilities, concessions, luxury boxes, lights and press box.

Unless there's something going on behind closed doors, the stadium will be built at Empire, and East Vancouver will get its first artificial turf field when the Lions and Whitecaps pack up the nostalgia and return to ultra modern B.C. Place and its retractable roof in June 2011.

hkgilchrist@yahoo.com

© Copyright (c) The Province

[ravman]

NEW BOSS has fully taken over everything

i am not going to be posting what happens or what doesnt happen.... but if there is some questions... ask away and ill let you know

and btw there will NOT be a retractable roof... but hey you all knew that :)

[mrjauk]

NEW BOSS has fully taken over everything

i am not going to be posting what happens or what doesnt happen.... but if there is some questions... ask away and ill let you know

and btw there will NOT be a retractable roof... but hey you all knew that :)

Whatchoo talkin' about, Willis?!? Do you mean that there will not be a retractable roof in time for February (which we know), or that there will not (as in never) be a retractable roof at BC Place stadium?

[hollywoodnorth]

sounds like the B-LINE down Hastings to SFU should be pushed ahead......would make the Temporary Stadium muuuuuuuch more accessible to transit users and able to handle the CRUSH load. After a concert at the PNE getting on a bus to downtown is a bastard and a half.

[Vancity]

I'm really quite curious as to what the internal upgrades are looking like in BC Place. Anyone have pictures? Only a few months away from the Olympics, surely the upgrades should be mostly done by now, and starting to clean up the place. Hope we're not disappointed by it.

[officedweller]

Probably just the upgrades that we've already seen pics of.
Nothing gold-plated.

BC Place tenants look for temporary home

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980)
Dan Burritt | Email news tips to Dan
11/23/2009

The bid is closed and the offers are in.

Several companies have offered to build a temporary stadium to house the B.C. Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps as the B.C. Place roof gets replaced.

The bidding process closed Friday afternoon and eight offers were made.

The temporary stadium has to seat at least 30,000 people and include numerous private boxes and media facilities.

B.C. Place General Manager Howard Crosley is pleased with the number of bids, "The turnout was very good. To get eight bids on this kind of work is a good indication of the people out there looking for work and we think we'll get some good pricing on it."

Crosley says it has to be built in time for the start of the Lions' next football season in June 2010.

Crosley says they're still deciding on a location, and the old Empire Stadium site is a possibility.

[ravman]

Whatchoo talkin' about, Willis?!? Do you mean that there will not be a retractable roof in time for February (which we know), or that there will not (as in never) be a retractable roof at BC Place stadium?

February

[ravman]

I'm really quite curious as to what the internal upgrades are looking like in BC Place. Anyone have pictures? Only a few months away from the Olympics, surely the upgrades should be mostly done by now, and starting to clean up the place. Hope we're not disappointed by it.

they are done.... VANOC is doing stuff

[Distill3d]

sounds like the B-LINE down Hastings to SFU should be pushed ahead......would make the Temporary Stadium muuuuuuuch more accessible to transit users and able to handle the CRUSH load. After a concert at the PNE getting on a bus to downtown is a bastard and a half.

Such B-Line somewhat exists with the 135 SFU/Burrard Station bus line.

[mr.x]

B.C. Boat Show, Home and Garden show cancelled for 2010 due to BC Place renovation


By Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver SunDecember 2, 2009 2:24 PM

VANCOUVER — The 2010 B.C. Boat show and B.C. Home and Garden show have been cancelled due to construction of BC Place Stadium’s new $458-million retractable roof.

BC Place announced the cancellations Wednesday, saying that for safety reasons the stadium must be closed during roof construction, which begins after the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Vancouver International Auto Show is to be the last event held in the stadium until the summer of 2011, when it will be opened for temporary occupancy. The auto show runs from March 30 to April 4, 2010.

The new roof is scheduled to be finished in time for the Grey Cup in November 2011.

BC Place general manager Howard Crossley said construction schedules could not be pushed back any further to accommodate the other events.

“Every additional week extends it on the opposite end and we have some real time concerns on the opposite end,” Crossley said.

Alan Stovell, president of the B.C. Marine Trades Association, said losing the use of BC Place came as no surprise as discussions over a new roof were ongoing before the Oct. 23 announcement that the B.C. government had approved it.

However, boat show organizers were unable to book alternative space for 2010.

“There’s just not anything else available. We need 250,000 square feet.”

The Vancouver Convention Centre is booked for 2010 but will be available for a return of the boat show in the spring of 2011.

A fourth show affected by the closure, the Home and Interior Design Show scheduled for September, has been moved to the convention centre.

Jill, Proseilo, of Marketplace Events, which runs both home shows, said there were no other options available for the Home and Garden show in 2010.

“We are taking a year off,” she said.

All shows will be held at the convention centre before returning to the renovated stadium in 2012.

ghamilton@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

[metroXpress]

^ oh, one of the good ones. Good thing we can still have the Home + Interior one.

[mr.x]

http://static.cdn.mrx.ca/cfl/bc/images/inside/2009/11/09-TICKETS-Stadium-Seats1540.jpg

http://static.cdn.mrx.ca/cfl/bc/images/inside/2009/11/FieldRendering6000716.jpg

http://static.cdn.mrx.ca/cfl/bc/images/inside/2009/11/09-2010-Concourse-render3017.jpg

[WarrenC12]

^^^^^^

Pics from the season ticket holders' mailout.

Some other tidbits include that seating has changed in more ways than one. I have bronze tickets, but in BC Place they are basically on the 0 yard line. In those pics, those are silver or even gold tickets, however I can renew in the silver zone for last year's Bronze pricing.

I'm looking forward to some outdoor football, with the knowledge that it won't last forever. :D

[Zassk]

^ Can a temporary stadium be fit with plumbing, or will we be dealing with the equivalent of port-a-potties for two seasons?

[LeftCoaster]

It is definitely possible, the question is whether it is stipulated in the RFP issued by PVACO or if a firm can include it in a competitive proposal.

The RFP is probably public, someone with some time and desire could probably figure out if it is a requirement.

[mr.x]

It kinda reminds me of London's (largely) temporary Olympic Stadium, see renderings of it.

I wonder how much more it'll cost to make it a permanent facility.

[nova9]

http://static.cdn.mrx.ca/cfl/bc/images/inside/2009/11/FieldRendering6000716.jpg


From that angle, it kinda looks more like a baseball diamond. MLB anyone. haha.

[LeftCoaster]

It looks more like a cricket pitch to me.

[jlousa]

Leftcoaster is correct that image is of a Cricket field.
The RFP did not specify details about the washrooms only that there must be washrooms and concessions. To be honest though I imagine they will have plumbing, it would be pretty easy to run water and drainage in a temp structure. You need to have running water for the concession stands anyways.

[Overground]

They strangely call it an artist conception but it's a photo of temporary stands at Kensington Oval cricket ground in Barbados. The temp stands were built for the 2007 Cricket World Cup and held around 16,000 seats and set up in 2 months. I'm not sure how much it cost but the complete refurbishment of the existing stadium, including temp stands, pitch relaying, shops, offices, etc., cost $30m USD.

The temp stands were built by this company. You can see other stadia they've built - http://www.nussli.com/projekte/stadionbau.html

The coolest thing they did was build a 10k seat replica of Berlin's Olympiastadion at the front of the Reichstag during 2006 WC. http://www.nussli.com/projekte/projekt-detail/news/stadionbau-adidas-world-of-football-berlin-47/402.html?tx_ttnews

[mr.x]

Announcement for the Empire Stadium facility is tmrw:

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Empire+Fields+temporary+home+Lions+Whitecaps/2368058/story.html

[Yume-sama]

And the neighbors are already pitching a fit.

Reminds me of the old folks who live by McMahon Stadium in Calgary who forbid any concerts to come, due to noise. They cited the Cindy Lauper concert as to why there should be no more... and that was in the 70's. :haha: They damn near rioted when Ozzy Osbourne came a couple of years ago, and it was almost stopped. But alas, Grandma survived and no hoodlums destroyed the neighborhood.

[WarrenC12]

The Vancouver Sun has the worst comments of any site I've seen. Mostly complainers, then people ranting out of nowhere with poor grammar and incomplete sentences. Way to make people take you seriously. :shrug:

I'm looking forward to watching the Lions next season. I'm also happy the Giants are a good draw to the Coliseum, and happy to hear about the expanded plans for the PNE/Playland area. Hopefully this will put the "move it to Surrey" plan to rest forever.

[Yume-sama]

Hmm, I actually find them a step up from CBC... :P

It will be interesting. I wonder how ticket sales will be, will people be too wimpy to sit outside in the rain possibly? I know I would be... though I hate football. :haha:

[agrant]

Hmm, I actually find them a step up from CBC... :P

It will be interesting. I wonder how ticket sales will be, will people be too wimpy to sit outside in the rain possibly? I know I would be... though I hate football. :haha:It probably wouldn't rain too much in the summer months. It'll be packed. I'd imagine people will love natural grass, and coming back to the old Empire grounds.

[agrant]

^ Can a temporary stadium be fit with plumbing, or will we be dealing with the equivalent of port-a-potties for two seasons?You could have proper plumbing facilities, that's always possible. It'll come down to cost, and what the ticket buyer would be willing to accept. My guess is that it'll be some sort of temporary (cheap) setup, not exactly what you'd see in BC Place or GM Place.

[WarrenC12]

Hmm, I actually find them a step up from CBC... :P

It will be interesting. I wonder how ticket sales will be, will people be too wimpy to sit outside in the rain possibly? I know I would be... though I hate football. :haha:

I think there will be a big difference based on the weather. July/August games should be packed. And the team that the Lions manage to field next year will be a big difference. Assuming Printers is the #1 QB, he's always exciting so that helps.

The Lions have a strong season ticket base, and the best 20,000 or so seats are always spoken for. My friends and I are hoping a few people don't renew so we can get better seats this year and in 2011. :D

[hollywoodnorth]

Hmm, I actually find them a step up from CBC... :P

It will be interesting. I wonder how ticket sales will be, will people be too wimpy to sit outside in the rain possibly? I know I would be... though I hate football. :haha:

hahaha yup for sure. the CBC comments are just retarded.

great news about Empire Stadium! I'm STOKED to check out some footie and well ummmm other footie OUTDOORS in the "greatest place on earth"!

as for TOILETS............I realllllllly hope they don't use the single style ones you see at construction sites. I hope they use proper portable toilets aka like this >> http://www.localservicesllc.com/toilets.nxg

they have lights and fans and stuff like that. more more civilized.

[Overground]

Nussli will build it, the same company as that Barbados photo of temp seating for the Cricket WC. As I thought too, the wretched Field Turf at BC Place will be used for the pitch. Real grass would be too expensive to install, plus the Caps wouldn't be able to use the grass pitch with CFL games destroying it.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.canada.com/sports/Empire+Fields+forever+just+till+2011/2369603/2371301.bin?size=620x400
http://www.canada.com/sports/Photo+gallery+Artists+renderings+temporary+stadium+Empire+Fields/2371246/story.html


Details

- 27,500 temporary facility to be known as Empire Fields

- Empire Fields will be enclosed on all four sides with 20,100 seats running along the touchlines. These will be covered. 7,400 additional uncovered bench seats at the ends.

- The field turf used by the Lions at B.C. Place will be moved to the Empire site.

- Will also feature a limited number of private boxes, full media facilities, concessions, washrooms, stadium level lighting, scoreboards, video screen.

- Will cost $14 million and will be paid for by Pavco.

- Lions will play their entire 2010 Canadian Football League season in the outdoor facility.

- Vancouver's expansion Major League Soccer franchise will make its MLS debut at Empire Fields in early 2011 before moving into the refurbished dome downtown later that summer.

http://www.canada.com/sports/Empire+Fields+forever+just+till+2011/2369603/story.html

http://www.straight.com/article-276179/vancouver/details-revealed-about-bc-lions-vancouver-whitecaps-temporary-home

[hollywoodnorth]

very good news. Nussli sure knows what they are doing....they are tops in the field (no pun intended) ;)

http://www.nussli.com/en/services/stadium-construction.html

[WarrenC12]

- 27,500 temporary facility to be known as Empire Fields

http://www.canada.com/sports/Empire+Fields+forever+just+till+2011/2369603/story.html

http://www.straight.com/article-276179/vancouver/details-revealed-about-bc-lions-vancouver-whitecaps-temporary-home

So your notes say 27,500, the media is saying "up to 35,000", the canada.com link says 26,000.. exactly how many seats will there be?

At 27,500, that virtually guarantees sellouts. I'd think they would try for 30,000+ but who knows.

[PaperTiger]

It is 27,500.

From the BCPlace website:
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/newsreleases/2009-12-22_Media_Release-Temporary_Stadium.pdf

[Overground]

The Canadian Press and that Straight link are updated from the news conference today and both state 27,500. Those other quotes of varying seat amounts are from articles that haven't been updated yet.

edit - Canada.com updated and now says 27,500. http://www.canada.com/sports/Empire+Fields+temporary+home+Lions+2010/2371348/story.html

[djmk]

MLS at empire! just like the good ol' NASL.

the turf will suck. too bad. the two footballs should not be playing on the same field.

[Vancity]

Nussli will build it, the same company as that Barbados photo of temp seating for the Cricket WC. As I thought too, the wretched Field Turf at BC Place will be used for the pitch. Real grass would be too expensive to install, plus the Caps wouldn't be able to use the grass pitch with CFL games destroying it.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.canada.com/sports/Empire+Fields+forever+just+till+2011/2369603/2371301.bin?size=620x400
http://www.canada.com/sports/Photo+gallery+Artists+renderings+temporary+stadium+Empire+Fields/2371246/story.html


Details

- 27,500 temporary facility to be known as Empire Fields

- Empire Fields will be enclosed on all four sides with 20,100 seats running along the touchlines. These will be covered. 7,400 additional uncovered bench seats at the ends.

- The field turf used by the Lions at B.C. Place will be moved to the Empire site.

- Will also feature a limited number of private boxes, full media facilities, concessions, washrooms, stadium level lighting, scoreboards, video screen.

- Will cost $14 million and will be paid for by Pavco.

- Lions will play their entire 2010 Canadian Football League season in the outdoor facility.

- Vancouver's expansion Major League Soccer franchise will make its MLS debut at Empire Fields in early 2011 before moving into the refurbished dome downtown later that summer.

http://www.canada.com/sports/Empire+Fields+forever+just+till+2011/2369603/story.html

http://www.straight.com/article-276179/vancouver/details-revealed-about-bc-lions-vancouver-whitecaps-temporary-home

What are they going to do with this facility, once the Caps and the Lions move back into the refurbished BC Place?

[Overground]

I think they'll just dismantle it and revert the space back to the way it is now. It's a temp structure anyway, even though it's costing 14m. Empire Field is used currently for softball and soccer and has a 600m track.

The temp stadium will get it's use in with a full CFL season and some, half of the Whitecaps' season in 2011. They also said the Caps may have friendly fixtures next year there, although I couldn't see any big clubs wanting to come and play on plastic turf. Then there is also concerts and other events they could hold to make up the cost of building it.

[Locked In]

Some larger images from the Vancouver Sun website (Vancouver Sun).

The field looks off - like the Lions are playing in the NFL next year...

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.vancouversun.com/sports/Empire+Fields+temporary+home+Lions+2010/2371348/2372218.bin?size=620x400

Whitecaps stadium:

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.vancouversun.com/sports/Empire+Fields+temporary+home+Lions+2010/2371348/2372219.bin?size=620x400

Field level:

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.vancouversun.com/sports/Empire+Fields+temporary+home+Lions+2010/2371348/2372217.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.vancouversun.com/sports/Empire+Fields+temporary+home+Lions+2010/2371348/2372216.bin?size=620x400

There are a few more on the Sun's website too.

[GeeCee]

Changing the exterior signage depending on what team is using the temporary stadium seems odd, but I guess they'll just be banners.

[Vancity]

When is that dreaded Whitecaps stadium going to be built :P

[agrant]

:previous: Dreaded???

Anyways... hate to say it, but I'd bet the temp facility will be a more enjoyable viewing experience than the new BC Place, at least from a soccer fans perspective. That is too bad about the plastic grass.

[officedweller]

Have these renders of the architectural details of the renovation been posted?
See "Image Gallery" here - new roof and interior renos too:

http://www.bcplace2011.com/#gallery,0

Looks like there will be an inner band of tension cables (10 of them?) at the level of the existing rim
stabilizing the structure (i.e. supporting the additional weight of the external masts around the outer rim).

Temporary Stadium info (just 10 weeks to construct!)

http://www.bcplace2011.com/media/img/page3/Temporary%20Stadium%20Facts%20FINAL.pdf

[Overground]

Awesome! I haven't seen these. I saved the images but they don't size properly on their website.
That inner tension ring is interesting. I wonder how these will look cosmetically. At any rate, this project is quite the impressive undertaking.

http://i49.tinypic.com/zldwe8.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/671mrk.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/w6zdpv.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/28jzbef.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/2qlfybp.jpg
BC Place link again for the above renderings - http://www.bcplace2011.com/#gallery,0

[DKaz]

Dumb question but is this a retractable roof or a fixed opening roof? I was under the assumption before that this was supposed to be a retractable roof but nothing seems retractable about it...

[Yume-sama]

Dumb question but is this a retractable roof or a fixed opening roof? I was under the assumption before that this was supposed to be a retractable roof but nothing seems retractable about it...

Well, someone has to get up there and pull the roof in to a little box hanging above the field. So it'll be retractable :P

Though the opening is not very big.

[Overground]

You can see in the last photo, which is slightly cut off, there's a hole on the top of a fixed roof. This open portion is the retractable part. A fabric roof will come out of the hanging scoreboard and flex out like an umbrella to cover that opening when needed.

A good example of what it may look like is from this image of Commerzbank Arena. The same folks that built that are building ours. You can see the retractable roof hanging from the scoreboard rigging.

http://i47.tinypic.com/2iabd05.jpg
http://www.sco.at/events/bilder/Frankfurt/images.html

[Yume-sama]

It would be nice if it was fully open, like that one. Is there any info on how big the open part will actually be?

Because, it doesn't look very big at all. Seems like it would just create a little circle at the 50 yard line.

[WarrenC12]

It would be nice if it was fully open, like that one. Is there any info on how big the open part will actually be?

Because, it doesn't look very big at all. Seems like it would just create a little circle at the 50 yard line.

I believe it is supposed to be the same size as the CFL field, 110 yards (not including end zones) x 65 yards.

Not wide open, but I imagine it will feel amazingly different.

[Overground]

I forget and tried searching this thread but I thought the opening is only going to be around 60 yards.

edit - The opening will be 65 metres(71 yards) by 75 metres(82 yards)...

http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id35900

[Yume-sama]

Ahh, thanks!

The opening will be 65 metres by 75 metres, which is effectively a full playing field. The new roof will increase utilization in the summer months and allow up to 300 event days a year.

Except not, and really only 2/3 of it :P

I also don't see how it will increase utilization in the Summer. What could they put in that they couldn't have before?

Either way, looking forward to watching them build it from my balcony :D

[Overground]

Quite close to soccer pitch dimensions though. The width is right on but the length is short by 9 yards a side. I'll take it, although a larger opening would be better. As for the CFL field coverage.....don't watch that anyway so I'm not bothered.

[Zassk]

The hole seems to have been designed so that all of the seats remain covered, but with a retractable roof available for bad weather, why would we want to cover seats while in the open position? I'd rather it be wide-open too.

[dtrain]

i read about that smaller roof opening size too, then recently found this:
http://www.bcplace2011.com/#12

- states an opening of 'about 100 metres long and 85 metres wide' - considerably larger than earlier stated. Would be nice to get a definitive answer on this.

[Vancity]

:previous: Dreaded???

Anyways... hate to say it, but I'd bet the temp facility will be a more enjoyable viewing experience than the new BC Place, at least from a soccer fans perspective. That is too bad about the plastic grass.

Sorry. My bad. I meant the Whitecaps stadium that's been dead for so long.

When's that stadium going to be built, if ever? I can't believe they haven't made progress on this thing. It's been what? Almost a decade since the concept/idea was brought up?

[Yume-sama]

I think it's about time to give up on that.

[mr.x]

Those renderings are amazing....can't wait for it to be finished.


I'm sure these renovations would have resolved much of David Atkins' problems.

[officedweller]

Thanks for posting the pics.

i read about that smaller roof opening size too, then recently found this:
http://www.bcplace2011.com/#12

- states an opening of 'about 100 metres long and 85 metres wide' - considerably larger than earlier stated. Would be nice to get a definitive answer on this.

This figure is probably the most current one.

[Vancity]

I'm not sure if you've guys checked out the gallery on the bc place site (http://www.bcplace2011.com/#gallery,3). Some of the upgrades are looking pretty decent. They provide a "before" shot, and an "after" shot. It's not a Dallas Cowboys looking stadium, but hey, the makeover, so far, isn't looking that bad. I wonder what the other improvements look like. Hmm.

[Yume-sama]

I noticed they cleaned the floors and walls. Must have been a first.

[officedweller]

I'm not sure if you've guys checked out the gallery on the bc place site (http://www.bcplace2011.com/#gallery,3). Some of the upgrades are looking pretty decent. They provide a "before" shot, and an "after" shot. It's not a Dallas Cowboys looking stadium, but hey, the makeover, so far, isn't looking that bad. I wonder what the other improvements look like. Hmm.

I think I like the "before" washroom entrances better than the "after" (i.e. wrt signage).
BTW in the video it says it'll the largest cable supported roof in the world.

[DKaz]

Oh cool thanks for those photos.

Dumb question number two, will the roof be able to fully close for trade shows, that spring break amusement park thing, etc. especially when it rains? Or are they planning to kick out the trade shows?? :O

Anti-Dumb edit: Wait so I realized, the roof over the stands is fixed and the middle part that is rendered as open is retractable?

[Vancity]

I think I like the "before" washroom entrances better than the "after".
BTW in the video it says it'll the largest cable supported roof in the world.

I like the suites. They are looking very nice. Much more modern, and according to the times. I'm excited to see what other upgrades they're working on at the moment. It seems like a much more cleaner, more modern look. It's working for the stadium so far, but hopefully, the upgrades continue to look good.

[Vancity]

Oh cool thanks for those photos.

Dumb question number two, will the roof be able to fully close for trade shows, that spring break amusement park thing, etc. especially when it rains? Or are they planning to kick out the trade shows?? :O

I just think they should move the trade shows to the Vancouver Convention Centre. That place is more suitable for trade-shows.

[Overground]

O

Anti-Dumb edit: Wait so I realized, the roof over the stands is fixed and the middle part that is rendered as open is retractable?

You are correct sir.

[WarrenC12]

I just think they should move the trade shows to the Vancouver Convention Centre. That place is more suitable for trade-shows.

I'm sure they will for the ones that are reasonable. Boat show, home show, RV show, not so much.

Personally I'd like a return to Vancouver for the motorcycle show too.

[officedweller]

Anti-Dumb edit: Wait so I realized, the roof over the stands is fixed and the middle part that is rendered as open is retractable?

There's a short segment in the middle of the video marked "roof presentation" that shows the retraction.
http://www.bcplace2011.com/#home

[Prometheus]

The new roof has many aesthetic shortcomings. The presence of all those dangling wires, for example, makes the roof look messy, cluttered and ugly from the exterior. It looks very unclean, like a street tangled-up in an endless maze of trolley-bus wires.

It is shocking that some cloth suspended from a few wires is essentially all that we are getting for a half-billion dollars, especially considering it cost 1.5 billion dollars to build the Burj Dubai, the tallest man-made structure in the history of the earth.

[officedweller]

Yeah, the existing roof is more aestheticly pleasing than the new one.
I suppose the other retractable option would be a massive steel canopy that slides away like in Seattle - but that would probably look just as bad.

WRT Burj Dubai, we haven't got the cheap Indian labour they have (and the Province wouldn't do that anyways (unlike a private contractor).

[Zassk]

Wires aren't automatically bad or cheap. Shall we say that our cable-stayed bridges look messy and "like just a bit of concrete hanging from wires for a billion dollars"? It's a simple fact that many modern designs use wires instead of metal or concrete superstructures. These roof designs seem to work well for Germany. This new design is saving us at least 50% vs. the cost of building a new stadium, and may last twice as long as the old roof.

[mr.x]

^ agreed, take a look at the Science World dome beams or the Canada Place cables...the new BC Place takes it up a notch, and at the end i think it'll look great and would be uch more impressive than the existing roof.

[Smooth]

David Podmore is speaking with Bill Good starting at 0835 this morning, he is still speaking as im posting this, so im guessing he will speak till 0930. Worth a listen, he defends and builds a case for the new roof and answers callers questions. An interesting bit was at about 0855 or (54:30 in the windows media player)CKNW Audiovault (http://www.cknw.com/other/audiovault.html) he mentions that in two weeks there will be an announcement about the first development on the site.

What ever happen with that announcement. The above quote was in November. There haven't been any announcements yet, have there?

[Prometheus]

I invite everyone to have another, sober, look at precisely what we will be getting: http://www.bcplace2011.com/#gallery,0

Please click on the image to enlarge and seriously ask yourself whether this impenetrable cobweb of wires constitutes elegant architecture.

[officedweller]

I would class it in the "functional" category - not "elegant".

i.e. the whole purpose of the retrofit is to add the function of a retractable roof - I figure design plays a back seat and is pretty much a choice between a couple of poor architectural options (esp. given the limitations for a retrofit).

[Prometheus]

For a half-billion dollars, we may expect an architectural solution which integrates form and function.

[mr.x]

For a half-billion dollars, we may expect an architectural solution which integrates form and function.

Add in another $100+ million to that half-billion dollar figure.

[Yume-sama]

I don't think it looks too bad. I think people are just being far too nitpicky (on THIS forum??!! Unimaginable!) :P

I just hope we get the night lighting that the renders show :)

[mr.x]

I don't think it looks too bad. I think people are just being far too nitpicky (on THIS forum??!! Unimaginable!) :P

I just hope we get the night lighting that the renders show :)

Agreed!:cool:

Hopefully the neighbours won't complain about the lighting, to the point Pavco will bend over and shut them off.

[Yume-sama]

Agreed!:cool:

Hopefully the neighbours won't complain about the lighting, to the point Pavco will bend over and shut them off.

I'm just waiting for the Olympic Village to be occupied by residents and the people complaining that Science World lights up too much.

[mr.x]

Awesome! I haven't seen these. I saved the images but they don't size properly on their website.
That inner tension ring is interesting. I wonder how these will look cosmetically. At any rate, this project is quite the impressive undertaking.

http://i49.tinypic.com/zldwe8.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/671mrk.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/w6zdpv.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/28jzbef.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/2qlfybp.jpg
BC Place link again for the above renderings - http://www.bcplace2011.com/#gallery,0


I liken the new glass facade to the facade at the New Wembley....if only they would also replace the old lower facade as well.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/439122975_db88a75ae5.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lloydm/439122975/


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/61/168509979_7c3ee452fe_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/d_m_b/168509979/sizes/o/

[Prometheus]

As is fitting, the new design is hereby named, The Great Cobweb.

[GeeCee]

As is fitting, the new design is hereby named, The Great Cobweb.

I'm starting to get the feeling that you're not a fan..

[Prometheus]

I'm starting to get the feeling that you're not a fan..

As no one should be. A tangled, cluttered cobweb of wires is a very aesthetically disappointing solution.

If it costs only 1.3 billion to build from the ground up Cowboys Stadium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cowboysstadium_js_crop.jpg), the largest domed stadium and column-free interior in the world, which possesses a retractable roof (not made out of cloth), the capacity to hold 110,000 spectators, and state-of-the-art technology, including the largest high-definition screen known to Mankind, then a half-billion is enough to put a roof on BC Place which is both retractable and elegant.

[Hed Kandi]

As no one should be. A tangled, cluttered cobweb of wires is a very aesthetically disappointing solution.

If it costs only 1.3 billion to build from the ground up Cowboys Stadium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cowboysstadium_js_crop.jpg), the largest domed stadium and column-free interior in the world, which possesses a retractable roof (not made out of cloth), the capacity to hold 110,000 spectators, and state-of-the-art technology, including the largest high-definition screen known to Mankind, then a half-billion is enough to put a roof on BC Place which is both retractable and elegant.

:iagree:

[mr.x]

As no one should be. A tangled, cluttered cobweb of wires is a very aesthetically disappointing solution.

If it costs only 1.3 billion to build from the ground up Cowboys Stadium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cowboysstadium_js_crop.jpg), the largest domed stadium and column-free interior in the world, which possesses a retractable roof (not made out of cloth), the capacity to hold 110,000 spectators, and state-of-the-art technology, including the largest high-definition screen known to Mankind, then a half-billion is enough to put a roof on BC Place which is both retractable and elegant.

If it were possible, I'm sure they would. But the chosen retractable roof technology is the best for BC Place's special design (meant for light-weight inflatable roof, etc.). The project was originally pegged at $300-million, then some challenges came along and it went up to $450-million.

You're really being far too nitpicky.


As for Cowboys Stadium, it's always cheaper (relatively speaking) and easier to build new than modifying the old.

[EastVanMark]

As no one should be. A tangled, cluttered cobweb of wires is a very aesthetically disappointing solution.

If it costs only 1.3 billion to build from the ground up Cowboys Stadium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cowboysstadium_js_crop.jpg), the largest domed stadium and column-free interior in the world, which possesses a retractable roof (not made out of cloth), the capacity to hold 110,000 spectators, and state-of-the-art technology, including the largest high-definition screen known to Mankind, then a half-billion is enough to put a roof on BC Place which is both retractable and elegant.

Agreed, X2. The city of Miami is building an entire ballpark from the ground up for just a little more than this roof is going to cost. I also think that people are in for a rude awakening when they see just how small of an opening this roof will have. What they should have done is gone with a fixed roof on either side of the stadium with a middle portion that rolls away to expose a clear, cable free sky. And before people come out with the usual "that roof is too heavy for the existing structure to support" talk, remember you can make supports on the outside of the stadium which don't rely on the stadium itself for support at all. That is exactly how the new Miami roof will work. The truss-work from such a design would be far better off than that spider web of the new BC Place.