HomeDiagramsDatabaseMapsForum About
     

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Alberta & British Columbia > Vancouver > Downtown & City of Vancouver


Reply

 
Thread Tools Display Modes
     
     
  #1  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:06 PM
mr.x's Avatar
mr.x mr.x is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 12,805
Arrow BC Place: Stadium Refurbishment | Completed

PREMIER UNVEILS NEW VISION FOR BC PLACE & ART GALLERY

VANCOUVER – A major renovation of BC Place Stadium – including a retractable roof after 2010 –
will expand the city’s sport, culture and entertainment district; feature a new home for the Vancouver
Whitecaps; and provide a waterfront site for a new Vancouver Art Gallery, Premier Gordon Campbell
announced today.

“We asked PavCo chair David Podmore to develop a long-term plan for one of British
Columbia’s landmark facilities. What he found was BC Place is in good shape but, like any facility
that age, is in need of upgrades,” said Premier Campbell. “The upgrades pre- and post-Olympics will
significantly reduce energy consumption and extend the life of this world-class facility for another 30
years.
It will also give us the opportunity to create a vibrant arts and sporting community for residents
and visitors alike.”

Upgrades to BC Place will occur in two phases. Renovations to suites, seating, washrooms and
concession stands, and enhancement of the existing roof liner will occur before the 2010 Olympic and
Paralympic Winter Games. A new retractable roof will be put in place after the 2010 Games. Both
phases are expected to go out to tender within five months, subject to design, completion of a business
case and cost-benefit analysis and government approval.


“Once we’ve completed our design and planning, we’ll finalize the budget and, subject to
provincial government approval, get a fixed price contract with a guaranteed timeline,” said Podmore.
“As much of the preparatory work on the roof as possible will be done prior to the 2010 Games. The
remaining work to install the new roof will be completed over an estimated eight months after the
Games are over. This is exactly how BC Place was planned and built more than 25 years ago. By
waiting until after 2010 to complete the retractable roof, we’ll get better competitive pricing.”

A retractable roof by itself will cut energy costs for BC Place by one-third, $535,000 annually.
A further $100,000 annually will be saved through operational savings. For example, the stadium will
no longer need air-lock doors to support the roof. Further options, such as solar panels and geothermal
heating, will also be explored.

As part of the new roof and upgrade, which is expected to be complete early in 2011, the
Whitecaps will start playing at BC Place in the summer of 2011, part of a five-year lease with renewals
after 2016. That will give the team the opportunity to apply for a Major League Soccer (MLS)
franchise.


“We are looking forward to playing under the retractable roof at BC Place starting in 2011,”
said Bob Lenarduzzi, president of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. “We are confident that the planned
renovations will make BC Place a more versatile venue, very suitable for soccer and a variety of other
international calibre events. The move to BC Place will allow us to pursue the opportunity for an MSL
franchise and will open up a host of additional opportunities that we are excited to bring to
Vancouver.”

“BC Place has been our home field for 25 years, so we’re thrilled with the plans to upgrade it
and add a retractable roof,” said Bob Ackles, BC Lions president and CEO. “To be able to play
outdoors under a retractable roof is going to make the whole experience even more enjoyable for our
fans. As much as we enjoy playing under the dome, the chance to enjoy a game on a summer night will
be very popular with our fans and players alike.”

As part of the bigger vision for this part of downtown Vancouver, PavCo has been working
with the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Art Gallery and Canadian Metropolitan Properties, the
owners of the Plaza of Nations, to move the Vancouver Art Gallery to False Creek. Currently, less than
three per cent of its collection is on display, because of space restraints.

In return for future development considerations from the City of Vancouver on its False Creek
property, Canadian Metropolitan Properties is providing the Vancouver Art Gallery with a waterfront
site for its new 320,000 square-foot facility. The Province has already contributed $50 million towards
the new gallery.

“The gallery has experienced unprecedented growth in the last decade, and with more than
40,000 members, record-breaking admissions and a growing collection of 10,000 artworks, is now
bursting at the seams,” said gallery director Kathleen Bartels. “The False Creek location presents an
exciting opportunity to imagine a new Vancouver Art Gallery on this beautiful waterfront site, one that
would serve as an anchor for this extension of Vancouver’s thriving cultural community. In addition to
Premier Campbell’s recent commitment of $50 million, we are extremely grateful to the Province of
British Columbia for bringing us another step closer to realizing our dream for a new Vancouver Art
Gallery.”

Development and the sale, or lease, of lands around BC Place are expected to generate more
than $100 million towards the cost of the new roof and upgrades. Additional revenues will come from
new sponsorships and expanded business opportunities.




















BEFORE


Last edited by mr.x; May 16, 2008 at 5:46 PM.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:17 PM
Overground's Avatar
Overground Overground is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 903
Thanks...damn you're fast getting those up!

So you're right about the Commerzbank roof. This also has the look of the London Olympic stadium as well.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #3  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:21 PM
mr.x's Avatar
mr.x mr.x is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 12,805
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overground View Post
Thanks...damn you're fast getting those up!

So you're right about the Commerzbank roof. This also has the look of the London Olympic stadium as well.
A bit like the Millennium Dome in London too:




BTW, in the first rendering, the building that replaces the Plaza of Nations site is the NEW ART GALLERY (i think that's what i heard).
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #4  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:25 PM
Overground's Avatar
Overground Overground is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 903
That's what I heard too!! That's a real doozy to soak in.....so much info it's a bit overwhelming.

I'm trying to think what other city has a stadium with a similar "crown" design. I though I saw one somewhere.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:27 PM
vanlaw vanlaw is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 667
Last few paragraphs of the news release - the building that is where Edgewater Casino currenlty sits will be the new Art Gallery. That would be cool, but came outa left field!

http://www.bcplacestadium.com/newsre...ace_Future.pdf

Last edited by vanlaw; May 16, 2008 at 5:39 PM.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #6  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:44 PM
officedweller officedweller is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 38,229
Thanks.
The towers seem to encroach on the development parcels. Hopefully they'll ditch the colours.
For the Plaza of Nations - does that mean the "plaza" - concert venue - is toast?? And why does a windowless art gallery need to be on the waterfront - it certainly won't have south facing windows into the galleries.
Quote:
In return for future development considerations from the City of Vancouver on its False Creek
property, Canadian Metropolitan Properties is providing the Vancouver Art Gallery with a waterfront
site for its new 320,000 square-foot facility. The Province has already contributed $50 million towards
the new gallery.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #7  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:48 PM
Hed Kandi's Avatar
Hed Kandi Hed Kandi is online now
+
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,092
THIS CALLS FOR A CELEBRATION!

Reply With Quote
     
     
  #8  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:55 PM
flight_from_kamakura's Avatar
flight_from_kamakura flight_from_kamakura is offline
testify
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: san francisco and montreal
Posts: 1,319
i'm stunned.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #9  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:55 PM
vanlaw vanlaw is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 667
Quote:
Originally Posted by officedweller View Post
Thanks.
For the Plaza of Nations - does that mean the "plaza" - concert venue - is toast?? And why does a windowless art gallery need to be on the waterfront - it certainly won't have south facing windows into the galleries.
I think the concert venue is already toast - the stage is still physically there, but are there any events scheduled for there this summer?

I think the gallery would look much diff than that - probably just an idea to get something into the rendering.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #10  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 5:56 PM
mr.x's Avatar
mr.x mr.x is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 12,805
For the same design at a new site, it would cost $1-1.2 billion to build. What a great deal we got.

The roof engineering process will take 6 months, while the tendering process will take another 3 months. No wonder why they couldn't do it. However, as we all know, interior renovations will begin almost immediately.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #11  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:00 PM
Hed Kandi's Avatar
Hed Kandi Hed Kandi is online now
+
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,092
Question about the design.

The rendering shows "2010" as the date with the open roof. Does that mean that the roof will be open during the olympics?
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #12  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:02 PM
mr.x's Avatar
mr.x mr.x is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 12,805
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hed Kandi View Post
Question about the design.

The rendering shows "2010" as the date with the open roof. Does that mean that the roof will be open during the olympics?
No, it won't open in 2010. The roof will be built by 2011, the existing inflatable roof will be upgraded for 2010.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #13  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:06 PM
officedweller officedweller is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 38,229
My concern is that the Art Gallery may "sterilize" the site more than what was there before. i.e. it may try to be too exclusive. I don't see the Art Gallery hosting a rock concert in any open air venue that it may have on its site.

I'd rather see the Art Gallery be "semi-waterfront" with a real concert venue on the waterfront. Art galleries don't want direct sunlight - so it doesn't need the views of the water. Look at the old courthouse - all of the windows are blocked off.


Backgrounders from the BC website:

Quote:
BACKGROUNDER

2008OTP0136-000774

May 16, 2008
Office of the Premier

QUICK FACTS ABOUT BC PLACE

BC Place is the largest multi-use facility in British Columbia
Top choice for business and industry for exhibition and spectator events
Annual economic activity generated: $58.1 million (2007)


Home to the 2010 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Host of nightly Victory Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Games
Home to the 2010 Paralympic Opening Ceremonies


Built in 1983 to rejuvenate the False Creek area
First covered stadium in Canada
Built with enough concrete to build a sidewalk from Vancouver to Seattle, Washington
Finished on time and on budget at $126 million


Current roof area: 10.25 acres (largest air-supported dome in the world, pressurized by 16 jet engine fans)
Current roof material: Teflon coated fibreglass consisting of two layers of fabric, 1/30 inch (0.85 millimetres) thick.


Current capacity: 60,000
Occupied more than 200 event days per year
95 per cent occupancy in fall and spring show seasons
36 event days used for BC Lions regular season home games and other sporting events
Sold out private suites and hospitality areas


Circumference: 760 metres (2,500 feet)
Number of revolving doors: 50
Field: 1,500 pieces of turf, assembled like a jigsaw puzzle


-30-


Quote:
BACKGROUNDER

2008OTP0136-000774

May 16, 2008
Office of the Premier

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY EXPANSION

· The gallery seeks to design and build a new facility that supports the gallery’s potential, matches the achievements and ambitions of Vancouver’s artists and draws international attention to Vancouver and British Columbia.

· With less than three per cent of the gallery’s 10,000 artworks currently on display in the courthouse building, a new gallery will provide much-needed space for the permanent collection, including its extensive holding of British Columbian art.

· In 2005, the Plaza of Nations site was identified by the gallery’s board of trustees as one of the top locations for a new building.

· The Plaza of Nations site will allow the gallery to construct a building of approximately 320,000 square feet, double its current size, with a footprint of approximately 110,000 square feet, providing additional opportunities for outdoor gallery programming on the waterfront.

· While the courthouse facility has considerable heritage value, it has a lack of functional space, a number of environmental concerns, seismic vulnerabilities and aging systems.

· The gallery initiated a master planning process in 2003 which concluded that it must at least double the size of its existing facility (157,000 square feet). Further, the study concluded that an expansion on the gallery’s current site at Robson Square is highly problematic due to heritage and other issues.

· Extensive program planning has produced a list of potential elements of a new Vancouver Art Gallery, including:

o Dedicated permanent exhibition galleries;

o Expanded temporary exhibition galleries;

o State-of-the-art permanent collection storage;

o Increased collection access, including significant artist archives;

o Outdoor space for the presentation of art and community gatherings;

o Greatly expanded school, family and children’s programming, including hands-on learning spaces and classrooms;

o A significant lecture space;

o Welcoming and comfortable gathering spaces;

o A larger gallery Store;

o Expanded venue rentals, including outdoor spaces;

o Adequate space for staff and volunteers;

o Increased integration of technology; and

o An environmentally sustainable building.

-30-
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #14  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:13 PM
deasine deasine is offline
Vancouver Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,747
Wow... Looking good! =D The Art Gallery expansion is imo the best part. BC Place looks a little odd, but hey I guess anything looks better than it is right now =)
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #15  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:26 PM
djh djh is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,934
WHOA! The Art Gallery announcement almost overshadows the roof announcement.

But it raises many questions:

- The empty parking lot site on Georgia that *everybody* here said was *definitely* going to be the new Art Gallery (JLousa?)...what happened to that proposal?
- The current Art Gallery site? Any hints of what will happen there? I've heard discussed the idea of other smaller galleries/museums moving in (e.g., the Vancouver Museum and the Space Centre)?
- Remember when the new Convention Centre's plans originally expanded and the waterfront space that was allocated for an arts facility was bumped? Well there was a certain amount of city funds set aside for that development. Would that be included in this project as the city's contribution?
- I think the Edgewater Casino has a lease on that site until 2013, so does this mean this project is not going to happen until at least 2014?

and finally
- towerguy3...where are you...?
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #16  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:28 PM
Jared's Avatar
Jared Jared is offline
senior something
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 4,058
what i posted in the Canada forum:


Quote:
As part of the new roof and upgrade, which is expected to be complete early in 2011, the
Whitecaps will start playing at BC Place in the summer of 2011, part of a five-year lease with renewals
after 2016. That will give the team the opportunity to apply for a Major League Soccer (MLS)
franchise.
a couple thoughts:

- If this is turning into a permanent home for the Whitecaps then what will happen to Swanguard? Also, I would assume that the proposed Waterfront stadium will be axed?

- I was always under the impression that BC Place's field was smaller than a regular soccer field.

- Will they convert the field to grass?
__________________
My Diagrams My Photos

I'm not the guy from Subway.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #17  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:36 PM
mr.x's Avatar
mr.x mr.x is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 12,805
Commissioner's Vancouver statement
Garber comments on stadium renovation announcement

Major League Soccer Communications
05/16/2008 01:05AM

Following today's announcement in Vancouver that BC Place will undergo renovations, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber issued the following statement:

"We believe Vancouver is a potential market for a future Major League Soccer expansion team. There is no doubt the market for professional soccer exists in Vancouver, as we saw last November when nearly 50,000 fans attended the exhibition match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Whitecaps.

"We understand the newly renovated BC Place Stadium will be a world-class facility. We look forward to learning more about the proposed renovations so that we may determine whether BC Place can serve as an interim venue for an MLS team pending the construction of a soccer-specific stadium.

"MLS will have 16 teams by 2010 with the addition of Seattle next year and Philadelphia the following season. We are currently in discussions with potential expansion team owners and local governments in many markets across North America regarding the 17th and 18th teams.

We look forward to continuing our discussions with the Whitecaps regarding the opportunity to award a Major League Soccer expansion team to Vancouver in the future."
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #18  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:36 PM
officedweller officedweller is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 38,229
Hopefully the Larwill Park site will be redeveloped with office towers - that would add some life to the "cultural precinct" and extend the office district towards GM Place.

No word on who will take the old VAG space - but odds on bets are for the Vancouver Museum - I'll bet the Space Centre stays put and expands since the planetarium is there.

The theatre component for the Coal Harbour site was for an indoor performance theatre, so I doubt that would end up at the art gallery (it would also be isolated from the other theatres) - maybe it will stay at the Larwill Park site.

The glass pavillion has always been considered a "legacy" building from Expo86. Maybe it will be retained. I really doubt that they will be allowed to extend the foreshore into False Creek as depicted in that first rendering.

BC Place used to host the Whitecaps when they were part of the NASL.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #19  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:37 PM
mr.x's Avatar
mr.x mr.x is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 12,805
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jared View Post
what i posted in the Canada forum:




a couple thoughts:

- If this is turning into a permanent home for the Whitecaps then what will happen to Swanguard? Also, I would assume that the proposed Waterfront stadium will be axed?

- I was always under the impression that BC Place's field was smaller than a regular soccer field.

- Will they convert the field to grass?

1) Swanguard has always been a community facility, for local track meets, community events, and the occasional concert. It will stay, it only has a seating capacity of about 6,000.

2) This is being advertised as the interim home of the Whitecaps. They want to be part of the MLS, and there are only 4 franchise spots left. With BC Place, which is now an acceptable MLS stadium, they can secure a franchise spot. Waterfront Stadium discussions will still continue, but of course this stadium renovation development at BC Place will no doubt hinder the process to a certain extent.

3) not sure about the natural grass.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #20  
Old Posted May 16, 2008, 6:50 PM
twoNeurons twoNeurons is offline
loafing in lotusland
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Lotusland
Posts: 6,020
I think it would be really sweet for the Vancouver Museum to have to such a prominent spot in the middle of the city, if they get the current VAG spot.

I think it's a little big for the Vancouver Museum though, and I'd like to see something more interesting... like maybe history of the Region.
Reply With Quote
     
     
This discussion thread continues

Use the page links to the lower-right to go to the next page for additional posts
 
 
Reply

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Alberta & British Columbia > Vancouver > Downtown & City of Vancouver
Forum Jump


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 2:40 PM.

     
SkyscraperPage.com - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.