Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project | Completed - Page 95

nobase2010 · #**1881** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 6:14 AM**

• Video Link

nobase2010 · #**1882** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 4:07 PM**

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5106835628/sizes/m/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5106237485/sizes/z/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5106235331/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Locked In · #**1883** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 4:08 PM**

Great pics, thanks!

Spork · #**1884** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 6:21 PM**

So that's what it was for! I came by around 8pm and couldn't figure out why it was lit. It sure was a nice surprise for the girlfriend and I, though! Kinda cool to have that thing lit at random times. It's like a giant communal fireplace.

Locked In · #**1885** Posted **Oct 23, 2010, 11:11 PM**

The plaza was packed today with people taking photos and checking out the sights (I know it doesn't look like it in this photo...):

Full Size

Benches getting closer - with the proximity to the CBD, shelter from the rain and the great view, these should be really popular:

Full Size

My photos, today.

ckkelley · #**1886** Posted **Oct 24, 2010, 1:32 AM**

Thanks for the pics L-I. You're right, those benches will be popular.

nobase2010 · #**1887** Posted **Oct 24, 2010, 4:10 AM**

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5108984253/sizes/z/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5108986953/sizes/z/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5109582190/sizes/z/in/photostream/

paradigm4 · #**1888** Posted **Oct 27, 2010, 8:20 PM**

Interesting tweet from a CBC reporter doing a tour of BC Place today:

"PAVCO's David Podmore predicts another expansion of Vancouver Convention Centre in 5 years, due to growing demand #DVBIA @downtownvan"

officedweller · #**1889** Posted **Oct 27, 2010, 8:24 PM**

That would certainly spur redevelopment of the transportation hub north of The Station.

wrenegade · #**1890** Posted **Oct 27, 2010, 10:52 PM**

Sounds sweet. Hopefully this one stays a little closer to whatever it's original budget may be.

mr.x · #**1891** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 1:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by awvan

Sounds sweet. Hopefully this one stays a little closer to whatever it's original budget may be.

...without compromising the design of the building though, it's a good thing they didn't start cutting back with the expansion. And considering that Canada Place/Pan Pacific were built for $450-million in 1986, it's highly unlikely in the first place that a structure of similar (or larger?) scope would cost the same 20 years later.

I would say that this is a move by Podmore to assure that there's space for the convention centre to expand in the future, once that space east of Canada Place is gone the convention centre has very, very little options to expand its space.

Wishful thinking: It would be great to see the Whitecaps do a joint project with the convention centre on an expansion...a stadium atop, and trade hall space below. Plus a 2,000-seat and 1,000-seat concert hall/performing arts centre, ballrooms, and more meeting rooms, with or without a stadium.

Waders · #**1892** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 2:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locked In

Benches getting closer - with the proximity to the CBD, shelter from the rain and the great view, these should be really popular:

Full Size

I walked by that location today and it looked like all the new benches were gone(concrete was totally removed) and workers were building a new mould. Was the bench rejected by PavCo?

This contruction has been going on for months now and it probaby wouldn't finish for another few months.

Waders · #**1893** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 2:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

Wishful thinking: It would be great to see the Whitecaps do a joint project with the convention centre on an expansion...a stadium atop, and trade hall space below. Plus a 2,000-seat and 1,000-seat concert hall/performing arts centre, ballrooms, and more meeting rooms, with or without a stadium.

This would be a very good idea. If the "proposed" transportation hub can be added to it, the place would really become a hub and see a lot of human traffic.

invisibleairwaves · #**1894** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 3:30 AM**

I think we should only bother with a performing arts centre if we can have one in the 5,000-10,000 range. We've got more than enough 1,000-2,000-seat venues, but acts that are too big for the Orpheum and too small for Rogers Arena are kind of stuck.

GeeCee · #**1895** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 3:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waders

I walked by that location today and it looked like all the new benches were gone(concrete was totally removed) and workers were building a new mould. Was the bench rejected by PavCo?

This contruction has been going on for months now and it probaby wouldn't finish for another few months.

What the hell?

Maybe too much weight for the bridge...?

mr.x · #**1896** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 4:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by invisibleairwaves

I think we should only bother with a performing arts centre if we can have one in the 5,000-10,000 range. We've got more than enough 1,000-2,000-seat venues, but acts that are too big for the Orpheum and too small for Rogers Arena are kind of stuck.

They have the 5,000-10,000 range with Rogers Arena by curtaining off the stadium, they do that all the time. Same goes with Pacific Coliseum. And now we have UBC Thunderbird Arena for 5,000-6,000, but it isn't used by concerts that much.

I believe the city stated that there's a lot of demand for QE/Orpheum capacity facilities (both are 2,700) and something in between QE and the Playhouse, so that would be about 2,000.

invisibleairwaves · #**1897** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 5:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

They have the 5,000-10,000 range with Rogers Arena by curtaining off the stadium, they do that all the time. Same goes with Pacific Coliseum. And now we have UBC Thunderbird Arena for 5,000-6,000, but it isn't used by concerts that much.

I believe the city stated that there's a lot of demand for QE/Orpheum capacity facilities (both are 2,700) and something in between QE and the Playhouse, so that would be about 2,000.

There may be a lot of demand, but with the Chan Centre, the Centre for Performing Arts, the casinos, the Vogue, and the aforementioned QE and Orpheum, I'm just a little worried about potential oversupply and having some of the really nice venues in town becoming financially unsustainable, especially with the major slowdown in the live music business. If we can build another 1,000-2,000 seater without swamping the market, then great, I'm all for it, and maybe the post office site can be used for a larger venue down the road. A new, architecturally fascinating, skytrain-accessible venue with modern acoustic design (*cough*Orpheum*cough*) of any size would be great. I just have a few doubts about viability.

mr.x · #**1898** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 5:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by invisibleairwaves

There may be a lot of demand, but with the Chan Centre, the Centre for Performing Arts, the casinos, the Vogue, and the aforementioned QE and Orpheum, I'm just a little worried about potential oversupply and having some of the really nice venues in town becoming financially unsustainable, especially with the major slowdown in the live music business. If we can build another 1,000-2,000 seater without swamping the market, then great, I'm all for it, and maybe the post office site can be used for a larger venue down the road. A new, architecturally fascinating, skytrain-accessible venue with modern acoustic design (*cough*Orpheum*cough*) of any size would be great. I just have a few doubts about viability.

Well, with having a 1,000 or 2,000 seater theatres as part of a future convention centre expansion, it would be used by the conventions and conferences that are held there. They would much rather host sessions and ceremonies there instead of a ballroom. It wouldn't be used just by the live music business.

nova9 · #**1899** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 7:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

Well, with having a 1,000 or 2,000 seater theatres as part of a future convention centre expansion, it would be used by the conventions and conferences that are held there. They would much rather host sessions and ceremonies there instead of a ballroom. It wouldn't be used just by the live music business.

would it also allow for easier logistics and set up should a convention require an large, joint opening (and closing) section?

mr.x · #**1900** Posted **Oct 31, 2010, 7:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nova9

would it also allow for easier logistics and set up should a convention require an large, joint opening (and closing) section?

Absolutely. They don't need to worry about setting up a stage and basic stage lighting. And everyone in the audience gets a pretty good view, unlike what you would have in a ballroom for 2k+.

Many convention centres actually do have big theatres/concert halls, and this is a configuration that the VCC is really lacking - making it less competitive when it comes to attracting meetings and conferences. The new Melbourne convention centre and its theatre is jaw dropping.

I was thinking that if they can't find a tenant for IMAX, maybe the convention centre could start using it as a theatre. How many people does it seat?