BC Place: Stadium Refurbishment | Completed

[cc85]

http://scorethefirstgoal.bell.ca/

Seems like there will be a Bell Pitch at BC Place

[Yume-sama]

I know sports writers generally aren't considered well respected journalists, but; "Pooring rain". Really?

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by Locked In

^ Bad timing - I expect part of the reason is that they're trying to preserve the turf for Monday's game against Man City (they'd have to refund those tickets...). That said, I had tickets for today, and I'm not exactly gutted about it being postponed...

Yeah - the natural turf was installed over a layer of plastic which was on top of the field turf, so it just doesn't drain. If Man City game wasn't Monday and natural turf laid down, the game would have gone today. Hoping for a rescheduled date at BC Place

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by cc85

http://scorethefirstgoal.bell.ca/

Seems like there will be a Bell Pitch at BC Place

Now that is interesting. I cant imagine there would be a "Bell Pitch" inside a Telus branded stadium....maybe Bell is going to be the sponsor?

[GeeCee]

The rules for the contest state specifically:

BC Place Stadium at Bell Pitch Downtown

Telus and Bell are pretty close these days. I could see it happening.

[MJDDawg]

Long time lurker, but first post. I've been wondering about the draping of the upper bowl for the Whitecaps since I saw the first renderings of those hideous curtains hanging from the roof, hoping that Pavco would go the Qwest field route. Unfortunately Pavco has confirmed they are going the hanging curtain route. I really don't like the look. If anything, in my view it takes away the beauty of the main roof, the clerestory panels and the general openness of the new interior. Use of the projection system on those curtains might be interesting though. Here's their response to my request for info:

Vancouver Whitecaps FC will employ an innovative custom curtain to create an intimate atmosphere within BC Place. Please see the attached rendering for reference. This material will be semi-transparent to allow light to pass through, and will also function as a massive projector screen for custom light shows – something that CenturyLink Field (formerly Qwest Field) is not able to achieve with their static coverings.

The façade windows and the open retractable roof will still be visible from most vantage points within the lower bowl.
The custom curtain is one of many innovative features that will be showcased in the new BC Place, and I hope your first Whitecaps experience in the new stadium exceeds your expectations.

Kind regards,

Duncan
BC PLACE

Pic courtesy of Pavco.

[Pinion]

I actually like the way that works. I was imagining straight vertical walls of curtain coming down from the ceiling, blocking the panels.

[Prometheus]

That is an over-idealized rendering. For a more realistic view of what the experience will probably be like, look at the Whitecaps' own animated computer model they are using to sell tickets: http://whitecaps.io-media.com/

As you can see, the vast majority of the celestory windows will be hidden from view and the experience seems enclosed and cramped.

I am just glad that the B.C. Lions are not planning to cut their fans off from experiencing the full richness of the newly-refurbished stadium's open atmosphere. After all, that is the whole purpose of the renovations: to open things up, not enclose them in even further. If I am paying for a ticket to go to the new stadium, then I want to experience all of it.

[Sprawl]

Looks good to me, all my concerns have been addressed. You've also got to consider the fact they're intending to go after large-scale conventions, and having a giant Pepsi logo wouldn't be appropriate for that.

[red-paladin]

Please don't get all offended at me for saying this, I'm not saying this should happen, or I want this to happen, I am just skeptical of all this 'soccer renaissance in Vancouver' stuff.

I think that it's likely that the Whitecaps never sell enough tickets to even consistently sell out the lower section, and leave for a smaller venue in a few years, just like when soccer left BC Place before.

So once again please don't post replies about how I'm an idiot, as I hope I'm wrong, I just doubt it can work out the way the optimists / soccer 'boosters' hope. I still know almost no one who is interested in even watching the Whitecaps on TV, let alone going to a game, and most of the people I know are born overseas.

[jlousa]

I'm a tad more optimistic about the Whitecaps, Vancouver is a much bigger city then it was 25yrs ago and the MSL seems to be in better shape then the old NASL. Of course if the Whitecaps do not improve their own field performance I reckon you'll be right. The best thing that could happen to the Whitecaps is a couple of very strong seasons after moving into the dome to build their fanbase.

I noticed in the pics the bottom of the stands which acts as the ceiling for the concourse level painted white. I don't remember them being white before and thought they were just exposed concrete? While I like concrete I feel the white paint adds to a brighter more inviting atmosphere.

[gillty]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

That is an over-idealized rendering. For a more realistic view of what the experience will probably be like, look at the Whitecaps' own animated computer model they are using to sell tickets: http://whitecaps.io-media.com/

sidebyside by myself

Looks pretty much the same thing other than the IoMedia render not being lit, probably more realistic considering its Vancouver.

[agrant]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

Please don't get all offended at me for saying this, I'm not saying this should happen, or I want this to happen, I am just skeptical of all this 'soccer renaissance in Vancouver' stuff.

I think that it's likely that the Whitecaps never sell enough tickets to even consistently sell out the lower section, and leave for a smaller venue in a few years, just like when soccer left BC Place before.

So once again please don't post replies about how I'm an idiot, as I hope I'm wrong, I just doubt it can work out the way the optimists / soccer 'boosters' hope. I still know almost no one who is interested in even watching the Whitecaps on TV, let alone going to a game, and most of the people I know are born overseas.

There really isn't a renaissance. The only thing that has changed is the caps are now playing in MLS. A lot of the soccer boosters would hope they DO move out as soon as possible, into a stadium built specifically for soccer. As a fan, the downtown location is great, but give me a fully open roof with natural grass any day.

"I still know almost no one who is interested in even watching the Whitecaps on TV, let alone going to a game"
<<< That's kinda like saying I know very few people that are into Lady Gaga music, and go to her concerts. It really depends on who you've grown up with or hang out with. But yea, the Whitecaps obviously have a much smaller share of sports fans here compared to the Canucks.

[Prometheus]

What I meant was that the static nature of PAVCO's render fails to reflect the experience that a person (with a movable neck) will have. By using the Whitecaps' computer model you can pan around and get a more realistic view of how omni-present and smothering the curtains will be. Panning around on the computer model shows that the curtains will allow you to see only about 13 full celestory windows out of 36. And the closer you sit to the pitch, the fewer full celestory windows the curtains will allow you to see. Thus, as I said, the curtains will block the vast majority of the celestory windows and negate much of the stadium's newly opened atmosphere.

Again, here is the Whitecaps' model: http://whitecaps.io-media.com/. Make sure to pan around like you would in real life.

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by vanlaw

Now that is interesting. I cant imagine there would be a "Bell Pitch" inside a Telus branded stadium....maybe Bell is going to be the sponsor?

Isn't Bell the prime sponsor for the Whitecaps?

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by galeforcewinds

Not true at all. Top soccer league in North America is Mexico's Primera División by far. It's top-12 in the world, MLS isn't even close to that.

Sorry. When I said North America, I meant to only include the USA and Canada. Not Mexico (even though geographically, it would be included).

[peterprinciple]

Sent a note off to PAVCO re: Interior Cam...it should be back online this afternoon.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by natelox

I went on a tour of the stadium today with the architects and David Podmore. There was so much said that I can hardly repeat all of it. In short, some of the really interesting points:

Thanks for the pics!

Looks like there's something like a soffit being installed inside the stadium under the main ring to cover up all of the new structural elements.

[VancouverPM]

Originally Posted by Spork

Unfortunately opinions don't count here. Only facts do. Construction labour rates have risen 11% since 2007.

my opinion of the building is one thing...MY cold hard facts on Construction costs are another one altogether. Those figures represent UNION labour only and do not respresent NON-union labour...If you take a look around the lower mainland right now, you'd be hard pressed to find too many formwork contractors that are union and doing work right now...there is a lot of non-union work going on out there right now...if you perhaps didn't read what my job is, I see the figures, the facts and the costs on an hourly basis, take your stats can and believe it as the gospel if you must, or take the facts from someone on the front lines...I leave that option up to you.

[ckkelley]

Originally Posted by VancouverPM

my opinion of the building is one thing...MY cold hard facts on Construction costs are another one altogether. Those figures represent UNION labour only and do not respresent NON-union labour...If you take a look around the lower mainland right now, you'd be hard pressed to find too many formwork contractors that are union and doing work right now...there is a lot of non-union work going on out there right now...if you perhaps didn't read what my job is, I see the figures, the facts and the costs on an hourly basis, take your stats can and believe it as the gospel if you must, or take the facts from someone on the front lines...I leave that option up to you.

Dude, the fact that you put your 'credentials' in your sig isn't helping you. It's somewhat akin to posting an IQ and telling everyone how smart you are. When in fact, if a person has to tell people how smart they are.....they aren't.