New Temp Empire Stadium | Completed

[mr.x]

It's a temporary structure, but I still think it deserves its own topic...




Lions New Temporary Home

http://cfl.uploads.mrx.ca/league/images/en/newser/2010/04/Empire_Fields_2010_10927.jpg

Link: The dawn of a new Empire in B.C. (http://cfl.ca/article/the-dawn-of-a-new-empire-in-b-c)



April 25, 2010

Lowell Ullrich
The Province

VANCOUVER -- The biggest challenge facing the front office of the Lions this spring is a dilemma familiar to anyone who has ever been assigned the task of organizing seats at a dinner party. Some people won't stand to be placed anywhere other than near the head of the table. Others need to be near friends, or away from those who might drink too much, or insist on being close to an exit.

Do that exercise roughly 6,000 times, and keep in mind nobody has ever seen the seating configuration because to date it does not exist. You've just passed Football Event Planning 101, and now have a better understanding of just one of the challenges faced by the CFL team in moving their dishes for at least one season from B.C. Place Stadium to their temporary home at Empire Fields. "There's mornings I wake up at 4 a.m. and start thinking about something," Lions business vice-president George Chayka said.

The club's point man in the move between stadiums operated by B.C. Pavilion Corp. indicated that after little over a month there have been few construction problems at the PNE site. The seating framework for the 27,500-seat temporary facility is nearly finished and construction is still targeted to be completed June 15, a mere five days in advance of the club's preseason home opener against the Edmonton Eskimos.

Though the Lions will heavily push the nostalgic return to a site where the team played its first 29 seasons, anyone driving by the place where Joe Kapp and Willie Fleming became legends would conclude the only similarity between their new home and Empire Stadium will be the views of the North Shore mountains. Once the artificial surface is transported from the dome, the tightness of their new home without the old Empire Stadium track could remind the Lions of Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, where fans are practically breathing on the backs of players on the sidelines. It will be cozy, and if the team on the field is decent, it could be loud. "I've asked each manager to visualize what it's going to be like ... do you know where the rooms are; where am I going to enter the building?" said Chayka.

"The most frustrating aspect is people want answers. There's still questions that are being asked all the time that we find out as we go along." The toughest part for the Lions staff, aside from working through a move to a home that only exists on a blueprint, is satisfying the ticket wishes of the paying customer. The club has roughly 6,000 accounts comprising its season ticket base, and the capacity at Empire Fields could create a demand if walk-up traffic brings attendance equal to the average crowd of 28,610 that showed up last year.

For the past several weeks, six account reps have been contacting season-ticket holders about moving a seat indoors to a corresponding chair outside. So far so good, according to the club. The biggest problem came when the Lions had to juggle the guest list after discovering the contractor, Nussli Special Events Ltd., could only build a replay scoreboard on the north side of the new facility. A Nussli spokesman did not respond to an interview request.

Only a handful of season-seat holders rejected the great outdoors and will wait for the club to return downtown sometime next year. Roof renovations at B.C. Place Stadium are set to begin in earnest next week with the controlled deflation of the existing cover which prompted the reported $468 million makeover. "The thing we heard the most from season-ticket holders is that they had built communities at B.C. Place," said Arlene Stewart-Irvine, the club's customer service manager. "They knew their neighbours and they liked their neighbours. We were careful not to disturb that. We moved people over in communities."

The trick will be to get those communities to travel to games at a location not served directly by SkyTrain, which wasn't more than a noble thought in 1982 when the Lions last played at Empire Stadium. And to get their fan base thinking about the move the Lions will this week roll out transit plans offered by TransLink and advance parking purchase options with the PNE.

If Vancouver can survive the Winter Olympics, a few football games should be a breeze. "It's all about habits. When you go to B.C. Place you don't need to even think about it," said Chayka. "The key is to minimize the learning experience." To put it another way, the goal is to get the same dinner guests to roughly the same seat by causing the least fuss.

Courtesy: www.vancouverprovince.com

[Smooth]

Video update from the CFL website:

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/10995?autostart=true

[SFUVancouver]

Thanks for the thread and the article.

Small quibble, though; I am pretty sure the name of the stadium is "Empire Fields".

It resonates with me that the culture of the city has changed has much as it has vis a vis rapid transit and public events. The PNE is a far less accessible venue for major events because it lacks an adjacent rapid transit connection and this fact is widely recognized. There is no way that there will be enough parking at the PNE for the specators of a BC Lions game to all drive, nor is there any reasonable likelihood that bus-based transit will be able to offer anything comperable to SkyTrain.

In the not too distant future a form of LRT/streetcar transit for Hastings and Renfrew streets will be seen as essential to the continuing viability of the PNE as a major regional events site.

In the mean time it is exciting to see Empire Fields come together. I know I'll make a point of going to see a game there just for the experience of an outdoor game in the summer sunshine.

[WarrenC12]

I've already had my season ticket location changed once after they were issued for this year. :D

[Zassk]

I'd like to see a 2-km SkyTrain spur built from near Gilmore along the shoulder of Hwy 1 to the PNE. It could be built for very little money and 1-2 stations at first. Perhaps one day it could continue over a new/rebuilt 2nd Narrows Bridge, or follow the rail lines back to Waterfront, but the first leg to the PNE would be short and cheap. Of course it's not going to happen, but it would be such a cost-effective addition to the network.

[Vancity]

Too bad they're going to tear it down.

I wonder if Vancouver could get a chance at bringing a world class tennis tournament, like Toronto has the Rogers Cup. That would be quite awesome. An infrastructure could be built, and surely, it would be an attraction for not only locals to attend, but fans from other cities.

[Locked In]

Empire Fields article, with a note about the Whitecaps - if the waterfront stadium wasn't dead before, it sounds like it is now.


B.C. Lions’ new Empire Fields takes Stadium shape

Fans ‘literally going to be right on top of the players’ during 2010 turn at CFL team’s new home

By Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun - April 29, 2010 5:55 PM

http://www.vancouversun.com/2967703.bin?size=620x400
Construction is under way at the new temporary Empire Fields stadium. The facility is scheduled to open June 15 and the BC Lions play the first game there just five days later. The temporary venue, built on the site of the old Empire stadium, will host the Lions this season and both the Lions and Whitecaps for part of their 2011 seasons before they move into a renovated BC Place, scheduled for completion between mid-July and early September next year.
Photograph by: Nick Procaylo, PNG


VANCOUVER — From the outside, it looks like a ring of scaffolding that has been thrown up in a hurry.

But once you’re inside, you’d swear you were back in a grey version of old Empire Stadium.

Empire Fields — the temporary home of the B.C. Lions and Major League Soccer Vancouver Whitecaps — opens in less than seven weeks and you can already picture 27,500 fans screaming wildly as Geroy Simon hauls in a Casey Printers pass for an 80-yard touchdown.

B.C. Lions vice-president George Chayka said you can tell the team’s new venue will be a very intimate facility.

“You can see how close the fans will be to the action,” he said Thursday during a sneak peak of the site. “They’re literally going to be right on top of the players and it’s going to make for a very exciting atmosphere.”

The new facility is scheduled to open June 15 and the Lions play the first game there just five days later.

The temporary venue built on the site of old Empire will host the Lions this season and both the Lions and Whitecaps for part of their 2011 seasons before they move into a renovated BC Place, scheduled for completion between mid-July and early September next year.

BC Place general manager Howard Crosley dismissed suggestions the $14-million facility has been deliberately made to appear less than ideal so fans won’t get too attached to the site with the spectacular North Shore mountain views.

The galvanized metal roof that covers half the spectators will be sprayed with grey primer and nothing else, while portable toilets will be used almost exclusively on the stadium’s east side.

“Of course we want people to go back to BC Place but we’re going to make this as good as we can, within budget, because we don’t want to do anything that would hurt Lions or Whitecaps ticket sales,” Crosley said.

He said much of the stadium will have washroom trailers but portable toilets are the only option on the east side because of space limitations caused by an embankment.

“If we painted the roof orange, the Whitecaps wouldn’t like it, and if we made it blue, then the Lions wouldn’t be happy,” Crosley said.

The stadium will feature a 28-foot-by-16-foot video screen at the north end and scoreboards in the northeast and southwest corners.

The Lions have not yet signed a lease to return to BC Place next year but negotiations are continuing and the team will pay about $200,000 less this year to play in Empire Fields than it did to play in BC Place last season.

Crosley said BC Place operator PavCo is close to a deal that would see the Whitecaps commit to playing in the renovated facility for 15 years, meaning the team’s vision of playing in a soccer-specific Vancouver waterfront stadium couldn’t happen until 2025.

Pacific National Exhibition president Mike McDaniel said amateur sports groups who have used the playing fields on the Empire site for several years will receive access to the temporary stadium whenever possible. He said several promoters have expressed an interest in holding concerts there but said there’s little chance the stadium will remain after the Lions and Whitecaps leave for BC Place.

“You need a tenant to fill the stands on a regular basis and that won’t exist in Vancouver when the Lions and Whitecaps move out,” McDaniel said.

But he hopes some stadium items will remain as legacies for the grounds — including the field lighting and the artificial turf that will be used for the temporary stadium.

Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi, who played at old Empire, said the team wants to move into its permanent BC Place home as soon as possible but the temporary facility is a great alternative.

“It’s fantastic because there’s seating all around you with no gaps,” he said.

The Lions will play this season on artificial turf that will be moved from BC Place but Lenarduzzi noted the Whitecaps can’t play on that surface because it is not approved by FIFA.

Crosley said PavCo is aware of that issue and will deal with it next year.

The roof at BC Place is scheduled to be deflated on Monday and take about 20 to 30 minutes to come down, as builders start construction of a retractable roof.

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

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Lions+Empire+Fields+takes+Stadium+shape/2967969/story.html#ixzz0mXdUEPRg


Source: Vancouver Sun (http://www.vancouversun.com/Lions+Empire+Fields+takes+Stadium+shape/2967969/story.html)

[vancityrox]

Too bad they're going to tear it down.

I wonder if Vancouver could get a chance at bringing a world class tennis tournament, like Toronto has the Rogers Cup. That would be quite awesome. An infrastructure could be built, and surely, it would be an attraction for not only locals to attend, but fans from other cities.

Yeah I agree. The tennis tournament back in Toronto and Montreal are huge. It alternates from men to womens tennis for each city every year which is nice. I saw one a few years back at the new Uniprix Stadium and my friend worked in it (thats how I got good tickets :) ). Its amazing to watch especially on those beautiful sunny days. Vancouver would be a great fit but do not steal Montreals date ;)

[twoNeurons]

Empire Fields article, with a note about the Whitecaps - if the waterfront stadium wasn't dead before, it sounds like it is now.



Source: Vancouver Sun (http://www.vancouversun.com/Lions+Empire+Fields+takes+Stadium+shape/2967969/story.html)

Does anyone know what time the dome will be deflated?

[whatnext]

Shoudn't we just christen it Tempire Stadium? :haha:

[jlousa]

Check the BC Place thread for the answer.:tup:

[Spork]

Does anyone know what time the dome will be deflated?

I believe that 10am was noted before.

[Spoolmak]

why is it only temporary? what is the reason why it can't be permanent for outdoor concerts

[red-paladin]

The fields are needed for community sports, etc.

[Millennium2002]

I kind of wonder about that too... maybe we can alternate between two stadiums during dry and wet days. =O In the end, though, it'll be pricey trying to maintain both though.

[jsbertram]

Isn't that why gordo is spending half a $ billion on the new BC Place roof?

So it can retract the roof and be an 'outdoor' stadium on sunny days, or extend the roof to be and indoor stadium on rainy days.

[paradigm4]

Isn't that why gordo is spending half a $ billion on the new BC Place roof?

So it can retract the roof and be an 'outdoor' stadium on sunny days, or extend the roof to be and indoor stadium on rainy days.

And because the stadium needed a massive overhaul anyway. And to ensure the Whitecaps had a open stadium to join the MLS ranks.

[Rusty Gull]

I've already had my season ticket location changed once after they were issued for this year. :D

Did you actually receive tickets? I purchased a flex package but haven't received anything yet. :shrug:

[officedweller]

From the Journal of Commerce:

http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id38668

http://www.nussli.com/en/about-nussli/history.html

May 3, 2010

Temporary BC Lions stadium the first of its kind in North America

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

A European company is setting a new standard for modular stadium construction in North America, as the temporary home of the BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps is quickly taking shape.

“We do this kind of thing all the time in Europe, but this is the first time we have built a temporary stadium structure like this in North America,” said Martin Blackburn, the Vancouver office branch manager for Nussli Special Events (Canada) Ltd.

“For sure, this is a showcase for the temporary building sector in North America and all the technology has come from Europe.”

Switzerland-based Nussli is an international supplier of temporary structures and modular stadiums for events, trade fairs and exhibitions.

The company signed a contract with BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) for the construction of a temporary stadium at the former site of Empire Stadium on the Pacific National Exhibition site.

“Our bid was based on a short design phase, small procurement phase, going straight into construction and a short dismantling time,” said Blackburn. “Sustainability was important. All the seating and every component is made of material that is 100 per cent reusable.”

Empire Fields will be a 27,500 seat modular stadium that is built to replace BC Place, during construction of its retractable roof.

“The modular solution is best described as a giant and very serious Meccano set,” said Blackburn.

“It comes in thousands of components, which are delivered in a container and put together by a skilled crew.”

He said it was necessary to bring in about 30 skilled workers from Germany and Switzerland to assemble it.

“The main advantage of modular stadiums is the client does not have the cost of building a new facility and they can rent the stuff from us,” said Blackburn. “There is a clear cost advantage and PavCo does not have the liability of owning the stadium. We just remove it when the contract is done.”

The stadium will have a roof on the straight sides and includes 12 suites for 20 people each, commentator boxes for radio and TV, along with press seating, floodlights, lighting and cladding.

Construction began in March when material and grandstands were delivered to the compound, after being brought down from the Olympic Winter Games mountain venues.

The material in the Olympic venues represented about 25 per cent of the product that was needed, with the rest coming from Switzerland.

Blackburn said the main challenge for construction is logistics, because 75 per cent of the material had to be imported and the travel time is about six weeks.

“The only thing different between the product in Europe and North America is the roof sections, because they have to be designed to deal with seismic loading,” he said.

Abbotsford-based Clearbrook Iron Works was contracted by Nussli to ensure the 400-foot long sections of roofing on both sides of the stadium meet B.C.’s building and seismic codes.

“In keeping with the temporary nature of the stadium, the roof is not too elaborate,” said Clearbrook co-owner Neil Schellenberg. “Its different working over prefabricated bleachers, but technically it’s a conventional structure.”

The steel-framed, metal-clad roof is designed to withstand wind and snow loads. There will be about ten people installing the roof, which will take two weeks for each side.

According to Schellenberg, the main challenge on this project is the ambitious construction schedule.

“One reason that we were able to meet such an ambitious schedule is because we have a 3D modeling capacity,” he said.

“The key to the whole process is that everything is detailed in a 3D model, which feeds computer numeric control data to machinery. The detailed drawings transmitted data electronically to the machinery and equipment.”

Construction is scheduled for completion on June 15 and the Lions’ have their first game at the facility five days later, in a June 20 CFL pre-season game against the Edmonton Eskimos.

The cost to build and remove the structure is US$14.4 million, which was budgeted for, as part of the BC Place upgrades.

When BC Place is ready for occupancy, the temporary stadium will be completely dismantled in eight to 10 weeks.

[Prometheus]

Here is the latest photo update from the BC Lions website: http://www.bclions.com/photo_gallery/gallery/id/10977

The stadium appears to really be coming along. (Note that they have begun to apply the exterior cladding.)

With a packed stadium right on top of the action, there should be a great atmoshphere, especially on a sunny afternoon. With a little over a month before the first pre-season game, we do not have long to wait to find out.

[Prometheus]

Latest photo update from the BC Lions website: http://www.bclions.com/photo_gallery/gallery/id/10977

[SFUVancouver]

B.C. Lions games at temporary stadium no easy ride for fans
By Mike Beamish, Vancouver Sun
May 28, 2010
Source (http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Lions+games+temporary+stadium+easy+ride+fans/3084820/story.html#ixzz0pMTEP1sJ)

The 27,500-seat temporary stadium at Empire Fields that will be used by the Lions for the 2010 season and possibly half of the 2011 Canadian Football League schedule is a throwback to simpler times. In truth, however, complications abound in the return to the dreamy football field of memory at the corner of Hastings and Cassiar, which was the team's home from 1954 to 1983.

The move, made necessary by the $458-million refit to BC Place, will require thousands of fans to change the transportation patterns they've used for the past quarter century. According to TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis, about 30 per cent of fans traditionally took SkyTrain directly to Stadium-Chinatown station, a short walk from BC Place. Now, those spectators will have to consider taking alternate bus routes, carpooling, ride sharing, walking or cycling to football games.



Read full article: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Lions+games+temporary+stadium+easy+ride+fans/3084820/story.html#ixzz0pMTEP1sJ

[GeeCee]

Only 30% took SkyTrain??? Oy..

[Spork]

I wonder how many walked or took other modes of transit? There are a tonne of busses terminating downtown. Not to mention that this number probably does not include much Canada Line active service, and therefore the 98 b-line would be excluded, which I know is SUPER packed after a game.

[g35]

Almost finished

http://cfl.uploads.mrx.ca/bc/images/gallery/2010/06/P10903634037.jpg
http://cfl.uploads.mrx.ca/bc/images/gallery/2010/06/P10903814114.jpg
bclions.com
http://www.bclions.com/photo_gallery/gallery/id/10977

[BCPhil]

It looks really good. They should have just built a permanent structure. It looks like it would be a great venue for college/highschool football, soccer and Rugby Games. Not to mention the amazing outdoor concerts it could house during the PNE.

[igeneer]

It's still a shame they can't do grass at this venue. Turf just seems so fake. And we live in a lush environment!!

[Zassk]

It looks really good. They should have just built a permanent structure. It looks like it would be a great venue for college/highschool football, soccer and Rugby Games. Not to mention the amazing outdoor concerts it could house during the PNE.

I agree, but who would pay for it? A permanent structure would cost $$$ and would need a permanent tenant. And it's really just an awful location for a stadium, transit-wise.

But maybe now some naysayers will understand why the Whitecaps waterfront stadium was such an appealing proposal.

[trofirhen]

Mmmmm. I like it!! A modern version of a good old-fashioned "stadium" stadium. Unpretentious, and a place where you concentrate on the game without being "wowed" by the retractable ceilings, or whatever!!

[Vancity]

I love the stadium. I hope the Whitecaps Stadium eventually gets built, even if it does take several more years of waiting. I can't see Kerfoot being happy being at BC Place (or whatever the name of BC Place will be - Corporate naming) for too long. I think it will only serve the Whitecaps as a temporary home. But I wish too, that they wouldn't be so picky about being at the waterfront. Couldn't they build elsewhere (not Surrey, please - that wouldn't make much sense)?

I wonder too, if BC Place has any plans in trying to lure a pro baseball team to the city? They could use another tenant other than the Lions (and for now, the Whitecaps).

Plus, if you look at the pics above of Empire Fields, look just close the fans will be to the action on the field. Wow. I think that'll be an amazing experience for both Lions and Whitecaps fans.

[agrant]

It's still a shame they can't do grass at this venue. Turf just seems so fake. And we live in a lush environment!!Don't get me started - I loath the fake stuff. Yes, we have lush greenery, but unfortunately all it takes is one heavy rain..., and with the digging cleats from a CFL game, the real grass would be trashed in no time. And swapping between CFL and MLS mode becomes a bit of a problem with markings on the field. That is one of the reasons the Whitecaps were after a stadium of their own.

[Overground]

I know, don't get me started with that plastic grass crap. But ya, real grass can never be used for the Caps as long as they share with throwball<<<they are pitch killers and destroy grass that needs to be at a certain standard to play "the beautiful game". That's the only reason. If the Caps were the only ones there than they may have had grass installed but that's an extra couple million for a mediocre grass pitch that would only get a few months use. A $4m pitch would be quality with a built in drainage system like Sub-Air that could handle daily monsoons.

This temp stadium kind of reminds me of a bottom of the table English 1st Div side if it had a roof going right around. Swansea City!

[Prometheus]

You can find more photos here:

http://www.bclions.com/photo_gallery/gallery/id/10977

AND

http://lionbackers.com/bc_lions/viewtopic.php?t=18363&f=3&sid=cc182929e128b90965bf8db3ba2a8898

If you want to experience the stadium in person, the BC Lions are playing their first home pre-season game this Sunday at 2:00 pm. It should be a party.

[mr.x]

Considering this is all temporary costing $14-million to build, a permanent structure would likely cost at least double....my fingers are still crossed for a 30,000-seat Waterfront Stadium, perhaps with construction starting in 2020 along with the rest of the transit hub development.

This temporary Empire is nice, but not something I would want to stay for the long haul...I wonder what the PNE has planned for the stadium during this year's Fair.

[Zassk]

Considering this is all temporary costing $14-million to build, a permanent structure would likely cost at least double....

I would bet it'd cost 10x more for a permanent facility... The Whitecaps stadium was going to be over $100 million and, although it was in an expensive location, it had zero parking or transit facilities to provide and I believe it was going to have less seats.

[hollywoodnorth]

I would bet it'd cost 10x more for a permanent facility... The Whitecaps stadium was going to be over $100 million and, although it was in an expensive location, it had zero parking or transit facilities to provide and I believe it was going to have less seats.


I doubt that much bro ;)

$45 mil....would get us a version of this >>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Stadium,_Swansea

add in some more seats and we are at 60 MAX ;)

[Zassk]

^ Being built over the tracks on prime real estate was going to make the price higher... The original pricetag in 2005 dollars was $60 million, before the location was moved west into the prime location by the seabus. That was for a 15,000 seat stadium expandable via future 2nd deck to 30,000. The newer proposal is to start at 20,000 seats. The cost to extend the city street grid was going to be in addition to this.

[mr.x]

I would bet it'd cost 10x more for a permanent facility... The Whitecaps stadium was going to be over $100 million and, although it was in an expensive location, it had zero parking or transit facilities to provide and I believe it was going to have less seats.

Considering the most recent proposal would have about 50% of the stadium built on pilons over water, I'd wager that it would cost between $100-150 million to build in today's money.

[hollywoodnorth]

^ Being built over the tracks on prime real estate was going to make the price higher... The original pricetag in 2005 dollars was $60 million, before the location was moved west into the prime location by the seabus. That was for a 15,000 seat stadium expandable via future 2nd deck to 30,000. The newer proposal is to start at 20,000 seats. The cost to extend the city street grid was going to be in addition to this.

right and I am talking about a permanent facility at Empire Fields....

[WarrenC12]

Went to the game yesterday. It was exciting and the Lions had a good comeback despite the final score. As far as the football goes, Printers looked decent, Lulay looked awesome, and the receivers weren't dropping the ball as much as last week. Defensive coverage was terrible though, Ricky Ray was throwing bullets to guys who were wide open.

The field was great. This is really as good as it could be considering the temporary nature. Beer lineups were longer, food selection is better than BC Place, and the temp washrooms are fine so far.

I have row G season tickets close to the 0 yard line. I am in roughly the same spot that I was in BC Place, but probably 3x closer to the actual field, and the cheerleaders. :D :D :D

Another cool thing we found was that when the Lions are coming on to the field from their dressing rooms (portable buildings, poor guys), you can stand by the fence which is about 3 feet high and high five every player if you want. I'm sure this area will get super busy as people figure it out, but it's a cool touch for fans.

So overall, more intimate, can't see any real downsides to the temporary nature of it, and it should be a fun season.

Transit was a gongshow though. When the PNE is on it will be a full on nightmare I think. We had people drop us off and pick us up, which is probably the best option if you can manage it. Otherwise show up early and leave late. I'll be taking transit next time (from downtown), so I'll see how that goes.

I'm not sure what Translink's plan consisted of, but there are a few prime spots on Hastings where they could have had buses lined up and waiting, but we left and there wasn't a bus to be seen. :shrug: :koko:

[PaperTiger]

I was also at the game. It was a great place to watch football. We got the same tickets as we had at BC place to but somehow managed to be at about the 25 yard line instead of the 15, bonus.

WarrenC12 is right about how close you are to the game. The sidelines seem to be less than half as deep and the first row of seats is not as high above the pitch. The turnout was good with I think 24,500 in attendance, which is great for a pre-season game.

WRT transit I took the bus from downtown , on the way out it was packed along Hastings so on the way back I walked down to Powell and hopped on the number 4. I was the only person at the stop and there was only 2 people on board when I got on, Bonus again.

Another interesting thing was the lack of nets behind the field goal. Once people figured it out the whole end zone crowd rushes over to behind the net in the hopes of snagging a pretty sweet souvenir. I don’t know if they are going to keep it that way for the whole season. Aside from losing dozens of balls they going to have all these dudes diving around on the metal bleachers, someone is going to get smoked.

[sacrifice333]

Purchased tix for myself and four buddies for the Argos game on the 11th. Stoked to experience a game at Empire... though there'll be plenty of opportunity next season too! :)

Also gonna be great to experience a roofless BC Place!!! :banana:

[WarrenC12]

That reminds me. There is a nice model of the new BC Place at Empire Field as well. That opening on top of the roof looks really small... heard a lot of people commenting on it. :cool:

[Prometheus]

Here are a few photos of gameday: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vancouversouthsiders/4721566598/in/set-72157624269355644/

[WarrenC12]

Did anybody get pictures or video of the CF-18 flyover on July 10? That was pretty cool, but happened fast. :D

[Prometheus]

Did anybody get pictures or video of the CF-18 flyover on July 10? That was pretty cool, but happened fast. :D

Here are a couple of videos from YouTube:

9vQQSIUHR7g

y8ee07QKN-E

[Prometheus]

Some videos from the BC Lions' home opener at the new Empire Field:

First BC Lion touchdown:

KzytGh29xUQ


The BC Lions cheerleaders, the Felions:

59Ik8a_tRuc


A crazy wheelchair streaker streaking across the field:

frP-KvrVknE


Game highlights:

Q4wEBGVkoqM&feature

[WarrenC12]

Cool videos thanks. You don't see the CF18 jets light up orange when he put the throttle down but that was cool.

The wheelchair guy was awesome.

[mr.x]

Nice vids!