[crazyjoeda]

I agree with the costs being too high, there is nothing to do about it now. I think if we it had to be done all over again we would've been better off demoing and rebuilding in the same spot. Since it's now looking like Empire Stadium will get two seasons of football anyways, we would've only have had to use it one more additional year. 3 years would've provided enough time to demo and have rebuilt. We would of had the stadium up and running in time for the 100th grey cup instead of the 99th.
Sure we would've spent more ~$850M instead of the current ~$560M. But for the extra $300M we would've ended up with a brand new stadium instead of a rehashed stadium that will still not be ideal. BC Place is a monster in terms of footprint and the nosebleeds are pretty bad compared to most stadiums as you are so far from the pitch. You could've build a 55K stadium within 2/3rd the footprint of the current dome which would lead to better sightlines and a more intimate feel. You would also have been able to free up quite a bit of property which would allow better integration with the surrounding community and recuperate a portion of the additional funds.
I understand the original motive and supported it at the time, but I think in hindsight the wrong decision was made.

Yes, and all that should have been done before February!

Personally I think 40,000 seat stadium would serve Vancouver well considering BC Place rarely sells that many seats, and it would make for a more intimate experience for spectators.

[Overground]

Without a doubt I would have preferred a new stadium but what about remediation of toxic soil under the stadium and the cost and time associated with that?

[mr.x]

I would've preferred a new stadium too (and before the Olympics!!!), but somehow I have a feeling a 55,000-seater would cost quite a bit more than $850-million at where BC Place is at today....

[vanlaw]

I would've preferred a new stadium too (and before the Olympics!!!), but somehow I have a feeling a 55,000-seater would cost quite a bit more than $850-million at where BC Place is at today....

Why would the location impact cost? the land is already owned.

[mr.x]

Why would the location impact cost? the land is already owned.

Demolition costs...BC Place is a ton of concrete. And as previously mentioned, cleaning up the contaminated soils that it sits under.

Given how much the VCC cost, I have little faith it would be $850-million.

[GeeCee]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution

While I'm not personally that concerned about light pollution, it is a legitimate concern. It's not totally random.

It's temporary lighting for construction. It's not the end of the world.

[scooterm2010]

Mast #22 is going up today. 14 more to go.

[dtrain]

An article on stadium renos today in 24HR stated that several areas of concrete inside will be replaced by glazing, so much so that you will be able to see walkway ramps from concourse area. It's great to keep hearing about these interior upgrades as well as the new roof. The more glass, the better!

[nobase2010]

Check this out, they are testing how the roof open & close.

http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/#clip371234

[jlousa]

So true to Pavco's style of keeping everything till the last minute, they just issued an rfp for new seats.

They are asking for 40K new seats.
-Injection molded plastic with steel frame
-Seat size up to 20" width
-gravity hinge (no spring)
-hinged armrest
-welded steel cup holder

Colours

30% Stone Grey
30% Traffic Red
20% Quartz Grey
20% Ruby Red

The middle sections of the lower bowl are not included in this rfp.

[officedweller]

Great Discovery Channel piece - thanks for posting.

Maybe the price of the roof itself is coming within budget so they can spend on "extras"?

[Prometheus]

So true to Pavco's style of keeping everything till the last minute, they just issued an rfp for new seats.

They are asking for 40K new seats.

Hooray!

But why only 40 thousand?

[mr.x]

Insanely awesome video, thanks for sharing.


Indeed, why only 40,000? The new colour choices, grey and red, were well thought-out.


http://sportige.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/wembley-stadium.jpg
http://sportige.com/top-ten-soccer-stadiums/

[officedweller]

So true to Pavco's style of keeping everything till the last minute, they just issued an rfp for new seats.
....

Colours

30% Stone Grey
30% Traffic Red
20% Quartz Grey
20% Ruby Red

The middle sections of the lower bowl are not included in this rfp.

Maybe the colours are tied to a new sponsor for the stadium wrt naming rights.
Whose colours are red and gray?

Maybe it WILL be the "Bud Bowl"?
The imagery is bang on.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRl38lzfaObANJAXFS1SjEpKF-GkyhfxsO4v4lRRfYc8-vVytE&t=1&usg=__QoAL1VcpwDQYJR6widxQxQTUd-M=
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRl38lzfaObANJAXFS1SjEpKF-GkyhfxsO4v4lRRfYc8-vVytE&t=1&usg=__QoAL1VcpwDQYJR6widxQxQTUd-M=

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DeutwC_pLZ0/SNE7cwSJC2I/AAAAAAAAAI4/uzhT5Pak22Q/s400/BudweiserCrown.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DeutwC_pLZ0/SNE7cwSJC2I/AAAAAAAAAI4/uzhT5Pak22Q/s400/BudweiserCrown.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ei9z0DDSasM/SytHaMFHEZI/AAAAAAAAAqo/VlcSLjQ0vo4/s400/crown2002_0989.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ei9z0DDSasM/SytHaMFHEZI/AAAAAAAAAqo/VlcSLjQ0vo4/s400/crown2002_0989.jpg

[Overground]

^Bud is an MLS sponsor.

hmm...I kind of doubt it, but what about the famous red of Virgin Mobile? It's also a subsidiary of Bell.
Or Rogers getting naming rights to BC Place as well? Air Canada, Scotiabank, Tim Hortons?

Damned happy about the seats getting changed!! The one thing over anything else I wanted cosmetically to change. Perhaps they chose red also because it's neutral to the Lions and to the Caps.

As for the 40k seats. It's puzzling as the cushioned club seats, which were already ordered for the middle areas on the lower level, were only a few thousand in number I thought.

[isaidso]

Hooray!

But why only 40 thousand?

Maybe the seats will be wider than the current ones? Still, going from 59,000 to 40,000 is a huge reduction. There must be more to it than that, but the Lions only need at the most 40,000 seats. The only time Vancouver manages larger crowds than that is for Grey Cups.

:shrug:

[Prometheus]

As for the 40k seats. It's puzzling as the cushioned club seats, which were already ordered for the middle areas on the lower level, were only a few thousand in number I thought.

About five thousand, if I recall.

[mr.x]

It has already been announced that the new seating capacity is 55,000....it's definitely not 40,000.

[red-paladin]

Maybe the seats will be wider than the current ones? Still, going from 59,000 to 40,000 is a huge reduction. There must be more to it than that, but the Lions only need at the most 40,000 seats. The only time Vancouver manages larger crowds than that is for Grey Cups.

:shrug:

Then they are leaving some in the nosebleeds? I guess that's ok. They can pick all the good ones in the building and put them up there.

[mrjauk]

Hooray!

But why only 40 thousand?

i think the answer lies in this sentence: "The middle sections of the lower bowl are not included in this rfp."

Based on what I've heard from the Whitecaps these seats will be of "club-type" quality, which means a different tender for 54,000-40,000=14,000 seats. So, 7,000 seats in the lower bowl on each side will be of a better quality than the rest of the stadium, thereby to some extent justifying the difference in ticket prices.

Notice I'm just speculating here, but it's not baseless speculation. By the way, I love the colour scheme for the new seats.

[jsbertram]

maybe they're leaving the upper-upper-nosebleed sections unchanged?
The only time I've been to BC Place when it was sold out was for Pink Floyd.

[Overground]

i think the answer lies in this sentence: "The middle sections of the lower bowl are not included in this rfp."

Based on what I've heard from the Whitecaps these seats will be of "club-type" quality, which means a different tender for 54,000-40,000=14,000 seats. So, 7,000 seats in the lower bowl on each side will be of a better quality than the rest of the stadium, thereby to some extent justifying the difference in ticket prices.

Notice I'm just speculating here, but it's not baseless speculation. By the way, I love the colour scheme for the new seats.

That's my guess too. They will just increase the amount of cushy club seats on either side of the stadium in the mid-lower level from what they announced before. The stadium cam shows what looks like that amount of seats missing in these areas.

[officedweller]

Not sure if these have been posted before - floorplans of the casino:

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/777pacificblvd/documents/ohboards.pdf

There's no theatre or show lounge like the River Rock.
On Level 2 - the casino takes over what is now the extrerior walkway around the stadium - so you either have to walk on the interior concourse of the stadium (assuming its open) or walk through the casino to get around BC Place or walk down stairs to the new Smithe Street. Not sure how that will work for people with kids.

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/777pacificblvd/index.htm

[red-paladin]

Not sure if these have been posted before - floorplans of the casino:

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/777pacificblvd/documents/ohboards.pdf



Page 20 shows the Georgia viaduct with two way traffic and the Dunsmir viaduct is missing.
:yuck:

It also shows the Rogers Arena tower.
:tup:

[BCPhil]

Page 20 shows the Georgia viaduct with two way traffic and the Dunsmir viaduct is missing.
:yuck:


That is mind boggling. How do you make a 3 lane structure a 2 way street that's connected to the busiest street downtown?

[jlousa]

Yes the lower middle seats will be replaced as well, they just aren't part of that request.

[Overground]

Yep, that original info posted in Sept by GeeCee says -

---Up to 5000 seats in the lower seating level (known as Level 2) will be replaced. The replacement seats will be a combination of new retractable seats, and new, premium club seating. These club seats will be high-quality and padded for your comfort. The overall seating capacity will remain the same.

So these thousands of seats making up the difference are not only the padded premium club seats but what I'm guessing is the loge box seats that can be brought down to pitch level, which the Caps said they will have for matches.

[dleung]

Not sure if these have been posted before - floorplans of the casino:

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/777pacificblvd/documents/ohboards.pdf

It looks very... Kansas City. It will be a very successful casino, (by trapping all the foot traffic to the stadium), and nothing else. I would oppose any scheme that doesn't have a wide multi-storey indoor/outdoor public concourse going around the stadium.

[Joat]

What are the chances of the casino getting lots of flashy lighting?

[Fairbanks]

Not sure if these have been posted before - floorplans of the casino:

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/777pacificblvd/documents/ohboards.pdf

There's no theatre or show lounge like the River Rock.
On Level 2 - the casino takes over what is now the extrerior walkway around the stadium - so you either have to walk on the interior concourse of the stadium (assuming its open) or walk through the casino to get around BC Place or walk down stairs to the new Smithe Street. Not sure how that will work for people with kids.

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/rezoning/applications/777pacificblvd/index.htm

Drawing 12 clearly shows a theatre cabaret in the lower left of the drawing (depicted in blue)

[Yume-sama]

It looks very... Kansas City. It will be a very successful casino, (by trapping all the foot traffic to the stadium), and nothing else. I would oppose any scheme that doesn't have a wide multi-storey indoor/outdoor public concourse going around the stadium.

What on earth does "very Kansas City" mean lol

[officedweller]

Drawing 12 clearly shows a theatre cabaret in the lower left of the drawing (depicted in blue)

I think in that context, "Cabaret" means "Nightclub".

I don't see an auditorium theatre that would, for example, become a live concert venue (maybe because of the other facilities downtown?)

One interesting thing about the design is that if you look closely, at the corner of Smithe & Pacific there are a number of terraces - so despite the wooden slats, there does look to be outdoor space behind the slats - so maybe it won't be a windowless box after all.

[dleung]

What on earth does "very Kansas City" mean lol

Typically in cities like Vancouver, Toronto, New York, San Francisco - ie top of the food chain in terms of urbanism and land prices - space is treated as much more valuable, often at the expense the architectural statement. Floorplans tend to be more refined and rational as a result.

In mid-sized all-American cities like Oklahoma, Omaha, Kansas City, etc, space is cheap, so it's easy to pull off the gimmicky gestures you see glued onto our casino podium, likely to the detriment of the quality of space inside. The floorplans seem to be too tight in some areas and overly wasteful in others. I sense an overall lack of refinment in the space planning. Plus I once worked on a casino/hotel project in Kansas City, so I'd know, lol.

[Vancity]

Insanely awesome video, thanks for sharing.


Indeed, why only 40,000? The new colour choices, grey and red, were well thought-out.


http://sportige.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/wembley-stadium.jpg
http://sportige.com/top-ten-soccer-stadiums/

I almost wish we would have that stadium in the picture. will the new seats look like the ones in the pic?

[Vancity]

What are the chances of the casino getting lots of flashy lighting?

We're talking about Vancouver.

LOL.

Nah. In all seriousness, I'm not sure. I'm certain they want to make this casino in downtown one of the best (whatever that may mean in the context of our city), but I guess we'll have to see. I am interested to see just how much "bells and whistles" BC Place will receive at the end of the day, as well as it's new casino. If we're spending like 400 million on such a project, we better have a damn nice stadium.

[mrjauk]

I almost wish we would have that stadium in the picture. will the new seats look like the ones in the pic?

That's the new Wembley Stadium in London, which cost about 1 Billion pounds to build. Moreover, it doesn't have a roof, which would be useless here given that BC Place is (and will be) predominantly used for non-sporting events.

[LeftCoaster]

I almost wish we would have that stadium in the picture. will the new seats look like the ones in the pic?

Almost??

You do know which stadium that is right?

The New Wembly is one of the nicest, largest most expensive stadiums in the world. No kidding you'd rather have it than BC Place!

[EastVanMark]

That's the new Wembley Stadium in London, which cost about 1 Billion pounds to build. Moreover, it doesn't have a roof, which would be useless here given that BC Place is (and will be) predominantly used for non-sporting events.

Wembley does have a roof. A retractable one at that.:shrug:

[mr.x]

Wembley does have a roof. A retractable one at that.:shrug:

I believe it only retracts enough to give a certain seating section some shade/protection from the inclements.

Beijing's Bird Nest was suppose to include a retractable roof. Halfway into construction, they stopped construction to redesign the stadium without a retractable roof. There were fears that it would be far too heavy for the design, and would comprise the structure's integrity during an earthquake. And even the Chinese officials were concerned about the rising costs of the stadium, which would probably cost at the very least $2-billion to build here in Vancouver. :p

[Overground]

The Wembley sliding panels were only built to give the pitch as much sunlight as possible so they slide back in places to allow that depending on the time of year. When closed in their normal position they still leave the pitch area uncovered from the elements yet the fans are protected.

[SpikePhanta]

At the rotunda of pacific centre Pavco had a little booth with two people talking about the redevelopment and also a model of the area.

Lots of people were talking to the demonstrators complaining about the roof, I told the demonstrator about how the media is too sensationalist and how people seem to forget that the stands are protected and only the playing field is open. the two footballs should be played in the elements.

[nobase2010]

oZrFwP7LtRk

[officedweller]

Nice! Thanks for posting.

The short height of the Concord Towers (I counted 19 storeys) makes the Casino tower look really tall (I counted 25 or 26 storeys (note tall commcerial storeys in podium))

The standalone tower in the middle of the Concord project looks awkward - I don't like the "quarter round" shape. It looks poorly resolved where the curved ledges hit the all glass facade (in the last rendering). Maybe just take those ledges all the way around like on the stepped tower.
It would have made more sense asthetically to have the quarter-round curved facade face the other tower (but not from a privacy perspective), but the curves leading into and through the courtyard looks OK too.

Posted this in the "Colours" thread too.
Note the similarity of the stepped curved tower to the original Pacific Place lagoons concept.
Now its' just farther inland (and shorter).
http://www.thehulbertgroup.com/images/Concord_02.jpg
http://www.thehulbertgroup.com/concord_pacific_place.php

[Fairbanks]

I appears that another mast is being hoisted into place today. Working on Saturday? Must be behind schedule. I lost track of the count. Anyone know what # we are at now?

[officedweller]

I've lost count - 22 or 23 I think.
On the webcam, they're almost finished closing the opposing quarters of the stadium (i.e. of the original cross configuration).

[osirisboy]

they always work on saturdays and most sundays i think too

[cjohnny4]

It's true. They always work on Saturdays. I've also noticed that what appears to be the upper frame for each "glass" panel between the masts being installed. Look for a thin, white horizontal bar on the interior connecting each mast at the same level as the white compression beams. I guess it's wishful thinking that they would start installing the "glass" anytime soon.

[S.W.M.Design]

On Daily Planet they showed them testing the actual roof in Sunnyside Washington. They test how it opens and closes and the effects of wind and rain on it while its closed. I found it interesting that the retractable bit inflates internally once it is closed and that the inflation also creates the weather seal. It may seem a bit nostalgic.

The story begins at 9:50
http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/#clip371234

[golog]

I found it interesting that the retractable bit inflates internally once it is closed and that the inflation also creates the weather seal. It may seem a bit nostalgic.


The inflation also raises the middle of the roof so that snow slides to the stronger permanent roof ring. That's been overlooked once the local news editor ran with the "is not to open or close during rain" story

[officedweller]

That's the improvement over the Hamburg roof (which cannot handle snow and must stay open during winter).

[agrant]

I'd imagine our roof will stay closed for much of the winter, while remain open during summer.

[tovan]

anyone have an idea of what they plan to do with the old seats they're replacing? I imagine that if they combined the seats with the leftover bleacher seating from the Olympics/Empire Field they could significantly upgrade stadiums/facilities across the province relatively cheaply...

also, with the tender out for a turf protection system, it seems as though the artificial field will be permanent rather than removable (as it was pre-reno).

[officedweller]

I imagine that if they combined the seats with the leftover bleacher seating from the Olympics/Empire Field they could significantly upgrade stadiums/facilities across the province relatively cheaply...

Empire Field is a modular system that is being rented temporarily from a European company that retains ownership of the structure.
i.e. some of those stands were used at Cypress during the Olympics and reconfigured for use at Empire Field, which reduced transport costs.

[Yume-sama]

That's quite the development plan they have, it'll change that area for sure.

I can just hear the marketing already. "Vancouver's last stadium-side opportunity".

[tovan]

I was under the impression that the end zone bleachers from Cypress aren't owned by Nussli as they were used for the Olympics. The other stadium components are modular and are to be shipped back to Switzerland/Europe but if the bleachers aren't Nussli property they could easily be moved to other places around the province.

[SFUVancouver]

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/6666/bcplacewithtrainnov1620.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, November 16th, 2010.

[BCPhil]

:previous: Double train! Oh my God!

[officedweller]

I was under the impression that the end zone bleachers from Cypress aren't owned by Nussli as they were used for the Olympics. The other stadium components are modular and are to be shipped back to Switzerland/Europe but if the bleachers aren't Nussli property they could easily be moved to other places around the province.

I thought everything was rented - see article here - no mention of PavCo, VANOC or BC owning anything.

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

http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/contractor_images/nussli/press/june2010.pdf

[twoNeurons]

:previous: Double train! Oh my God!

Whoa! What does it mean! I'm Soooo Happy!

[officedweller]

Amtrak Cascades in the Cut and SkyTrain up above. Now imagine if there were an Expo Line SkyTrain in the shot or 2 M-line trains?

[thenorthofvan]

Wow, looking really good so far.

Which street is the overpass that is shown in that shot with the skytrain?

[nova9]

Wow, looking really good so far.

Which street is the overpass that is shown in that shot with the skytrain?

haha, you've really been gone too long, trof. that's on commercial just north of broadway overlooking the grandview cut and millenium line towards downtown from outside broadway skytrain station.

[tovan]

I thought everything was rented - see article here - no mention of PavCo, VANOC or BC owning anything.

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

http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/contractor_images/nussli/press/june2010.pdf

It appears Nussli provided the temporary seating for the Olympics. There's a picture of Cypress Mountain in the link below:
http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/contractors/staging/nussli/

Rented or not, it may still be a good idea to look into keeping some of that infrastructure in-province.. would be much cheaper than building new.

[entheosfog]

Taken tonight from Olympic Village. I can't wait to get this shot one year from now when it's done!
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9934/day320nov16.jpg

[red-paladin]

Taken tonight from Olympic Village. I can't wait to get this shot one year from now when it's done!
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9934/day320nov16.jpg

I killed an evil daddy-long-legs in the bathroom today. It looked like that after it died.

edit: It's not a troll statement, it's honestly true

[officedweller]

I was just going to say that from that viewpoint, the Scotia Tower needs a view cone!

[Canadian Mind]

I was just going to say that from that viewpoint, the Scotia Tower needs a view cone!

Blasphemy! :yuck:

How could you say something like that?

[golog]

Poland's National Stadium in Warsaw is coming along as well, and will be a doppleganger of BC Place when complete. The size, cost, and design are similar. It's being built for the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, the tournament held every 4 years while waiting for the world cup.

It could be a race to the finish as both stadiums are scheduled for completion by mid next year.
Thread at Skyscrapercity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=316120)
Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Stadium,_Warsaw)

[Yume-sama]

That's a terrific photo entheosfog :D!

[twoNeurons]

Poland's National Stadium in Warsaw is coming along as well, and will be a doppleganger of BC Place when complete. The size, cost, and design are similar. It's being built for the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, the tournament held every 4 years while waiting for the world cup.

It could be a race to the finish as both stadiums are scheduled for completion by mid next year.
Thread at Skyscrapercity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=316120)
Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Stadium,_Warsaw)

Cool! Thanks. In some of their pics, it looks like their roof is slightly undulating... however, I'm sure it's just the wide angle lens used to shoot the entire stadium.

Here's a recent skyline shot (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=67250603&postcount=21162).

[golog]

http://img8.imageshack.us/i/snprzekrj.jpg/
from the first post in the SSC thread, it looks like the seating does go up a few rows higher in the lengthwise middle of the stadium

[nova9]

Do we have a 'national stadium'? I'm guessing not, but if we were to, would it be in Ottawa - the troubles of our vast land.

[entheosfog]

That's a terrific photo entheosfog :D!

thank you thank you!

[SFUVancouver]

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6997/bcplacenov172010p122044.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, November 17th, 2010.

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/6923/bcplacefarnov172010p122.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, November 17th, 2010.

[Fairbanks]

Another mast being hoisted this morning. I think it's #24...correct me if that's wrong please.

http://www.bcplacestadium.com/index.php/construction.html

[twoNeurons]

Do we have a 'national stadium'? I'm guessing not, but if we were to, would it be in Ottawa - the troubles of our vast land.

Isn't the nation's national soccer stadium in Edmonton?

Canada's really too vast to have only ONE national stadium, really. Poland is a much smaller nation (geographically) but with a larger population (38 Million )

[vanlaw]

Isn't the nation's national soccer stadium in Edmonton?

Canada's really too vast to have only ONE national stadium, really. Poland is a much smaller nation (geographically) but with a larger population (38 Million )

I believe that is correct. It is, or was, Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. I'm not sure if that changed to BMO Field in Toronto or not though.

[Fairbanks]

Not disputing the National Stadium location but I believe the Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal to be the only MLS teams in Canada.

Curious why the "National Soccer Stadium" would be in either Edmonton or Ottawa.

[EastVanMark]

Canada does not have a national stadium.

[Fairbanks]

Thanks EastVanMark, I thought that was the case mostly because I have never heard any televised or radio broadcast in reference to a National Sports Stadium.

[tovan]

Whitecaps have released a virtual seat preview application on their website. Enjoy.

http://io.io-medialabs.com/vaw20101112/#/?p=st&a=ne&l=sb

[dtrain]

I don't know about that upper level draping system, looks a bit odd, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Has anyone ever seen this type of system in use before?

[Chikinlittle]

Notice how it shows the "Bell" logo throughout the stadium? Dot, dot, dot...

[vanlaw]

Canada does not have a national stadium.

True, there is no "National Stadium" for Canada, however, over time, Soccer Canada's "home field" for international play was Commonewealth, so it came to be know as Canada's national soccer stadium/filed. They now designate both Commonwaealth and BMO Field as home fields for international play, i believe

[oy1234]

Notice how it shows the "Bell" logo throughout the stadium? Dot, dot, dot...

Bell is the major sponsor of the whitecaps.

[Overground]

BMO Field state that they are the home of the national team and apparently the CSA has as well. At least they did during the U-20 WC, but I'm not sure if that is still the status quo.

I'm guessing there is not an "official" stadium but they by default have used BMO Field, as it's now got a proper maintained pitch/fan base. They have also used Stade Saputo. I don't think you'll see the Senior men's team playing any matches at Commonwealth Stadium again unless it's absolutely necessary.

BC Place may be iffy as some Canada players have voiced their displeasure of having to play on a plastic pitch when BMO had it, hence matches were played at Saputo.

[twoNeurons]

Notice how it shows the "Bell" logo throughout the stadium? Dot, dot, dot...

Well... Bell IS the team's sponsor. The stadium, remember, houses the Lions and the Caps... and is not owned by the Whitecaps.

[Vancity]

I don't know about that upper level draping system, looks a bit odd, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Has anyone ever seen this type of system in use before?

I do have to agree. the "inner roof" does look a little bit odd, and I'm not sure how that'll look like in real life. It may actually look even worse. Ugh. Makes me wish the 'Caps would build a brand new soccer specific stadium of their own now. lol. oh well, i guess this stadium refurbished is better than the old version.

[mr.x]

Not sure what you guys mean by "odd"....the draping system won't completely hide the fact that there are 30,000 other seats in the stadium, it's hard to hide that. It's doing its job.

[EastVanMark]

True, there is no "National Stadium" for Canada, however, over time, Soccer Canada's "home field" for international play was Commonewealth, so it came to be know as Canada's national soccer stadium/filed. They now designate both Commonwaealth and BMO Field as home fields for international play, i believe

Commonwealth was the only major stadium that had a natural grass surface and therefore got to play host to major soccer matches. It no longer has a grass field and the CSA is headquartered in Toronto & will use BMO field exclusively for the foreseeable future

[BCPhil]

I don't know about that upper level draping system, looks a bit odd, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Has anyone ever seen this type of system in use before?

It's not really about looks. If I heard correctly, it's about making the stadium feel less cavernous when it's not full, and to reflect some of the crowd noise back down onto the field, to make it sound less empty.

[EastVanMark]

I don't know about that upper level draping system, looks a bit odd, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Has anyone ever seen this type of system in use before?

Its similar to what is used at the Coliseum

[cjohnny4]

Mast #25 went up this morning! 11 more to go! Yay!

[SpikePhanta]

Pavco has another booth at Metrotown in the Smaller Atrium in the former Metropolis part.

[Fairbanks]

I believe that mast #25 is being hoisted into place.

[Fairbanks]

This is cool. This will be the closest angle yet to watch a mast put in place using the stadium roof cam.

[cjohnny4]

Actually, I believe that's mast #26 that is now up. I was at BC Place this morning and can confirm that they have started the removal/replacement of the sloping exterior windows on the Robson Street side. All the sloping windows are now covered with white protective water-proof plastic suspended on wires a few feet over the windows. I could see just the metal frames remaining on one section--glass had been removed. :banana:

[Fairbanks]

Original math told me that Dec 31 2010 would see the completion of mast installation. I think they are ahead of schedule.

YIPPEEEE

[nova9]

i just have to say, i've always loved driving over the cambie st. bridge heading into downtown. but with the new roof, i love that drive and vista even more!

[Vancity]

anyone got any pics for an update?