BC Place: Stadium Refurbishment | Completed

[scooterm2010]

Mast #32 is going up. Only 4 to go.

[Overground]

As for the post on the previous page about why the Caps would choose to build their own stadium instead of renting and evidence why that would make sense.

We don't know yet what deal WFC have with Pavco so who knows if building their own would make sense, but I'd be interested to know if the club gets primary revenue streams like they would with having their own stadium.

If we look at what Seattle gets in revenue for ticket sales then it gives us a rough idea what the Caps would make as both have been historically similar in fan base. They made over $750k in ticket sales after giving MLS their 30%. Times this over 15 home matches and then add on money from concessions, parking, and luxury boxes.

There's a reason why most all clubs in MLS have their own stadiums now, they control their stadium and get more money from sponsorships, concerts, conventions, other sporting events like tennis, rugby, international football matches, and friendlies from visiting Euro clubs. Tie in retail/residential into a stadium plan and they could possibly make even more money. It's not all about Whitecaps, there's plenty other options for them to fill the coffers if they had their own stadium.

[Vancity]

As for the post on the previous page about why the Caps would choose to build their own stadium instead of renting and evidence why that would make sense.

We don't know yet what deal WFC have with Pavco so who knows if building their own would make sense, but I'd be interested to know if the club gets primary revenue streams like they would with having their own stadium.

If we look at what Seattle gets in revenue for ticket sales then it gives us a rough idea what the Caps would make as both have been historically similar in fan base. They made over $750k in ticket sales after giving MLS their 30%. Times this over 15 home matches and then add on money from concessions, parking, and luxury boxes.

There's a reason why most all clubs in MLS have their own stadiums now, they control their stadium and get more money from sponsorships, concerts, conventions, other sporting events like tennis, rugby, international football matches, and friendlies from visiting Euro clubs. Tie in retail/residential into a stadium plan and they could possibly make even more money. It's not all about Whitecaps, there's plenty other options for them to fill the coffers if they had their own stadium.

Yup. I agree. Thanks for explaining :)

Owning the stadium makes more sense, because the 'Caps would be the primary users, and on top of that, they wouldn't have to pay rent to play in their own building. That doesn't make sense. BUT, other events would have to book the 'Caps stadium, for things like ruby matches, tennis matches, or other soccer matches on their turf. That's extra revenue on top of their own revenue that comes from 'Cap fans, and merchandise, etc.

I don't know what the 'Caps agreement (financially) is with BC Place. But it makes sense why Kerfoot and the 'Caps brass is still pursuing their own building. Don't know if the idea is dead in the water (or maybe it is at the current location). Something's gotta give. And what happens when MLS makes it mandatory for all MLS football clubs to build their own stadium? what happens to the 'Caps then?

[jlousa]

Must be why all those NFL owners keep building their own stadiums with private money as they are such cash cows.:haha:

BC Place which was booked practically solid with 220 event days per year and still lost money each and every year. Only a percentage of arenas are profitable and even less stadiums are.

[scooterm2010]

Mast #33 is on the move.

[twoNeurons]

Must be why all those NFL owners keep building their own stadiums with private money as they are such cash cows.:haha:

BC Place which was booked practically solid with 220 event days per year and still lost money each and every year. Only a percentage of arenas are profitable and even less fewer stadiums are.

Would I be evil if I corrected your grammar? It's a pet peeve.

As for BC Place, I don't understand why it loses money if it's booked solid.

I guess Stadiums rely on sports teams and "big money" to maintain overall profitability? Or perhaps the stadiums themselves don't earn money, but expensive stadiums are required for very profitable sports teams... which is why Sports Teams tend to be owners of stadiums. The Stadium/Arena is more of a lost leader and used as a vehicle for the team.

This would explain why sometimes Sports Team Owners often will lobby a city to built a purpose-built state of the art Arena/Stadium or they'll walk. If you can get government to build a money-losing venue for you by selling them on the other monetary benefits to the city, then you've got it made.

I'm thinking Seattle here, with the loss of the SuperSonics.

The more I think about this, the more I hate that not supporting a purpose-built soccer stadium that was going to be built with private money was such a loss. Then again, it makes the money spent on BC Place look like a better investment this way, so it's not all bad.

[entheosfog]

Taken yesterday:

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/4192/img9423.jpg

[Canadian Mind]

That looks really cool.

[BCPhil]

Yup. I agree. Thanks for explaining :)

Owning the stadium makes more sense, because the 'Caps would be the primary users, and on top of that, they wouldn't have to pay rent to play in their own building. That doesn't make sense. BUT, other events would have to book the 'Caps stadium, for things like ruby matches, tennis matches, or other soccer matches on their turf. That's extra revenue on top of their own revenue that comes from 'Cap fans, and merchandise, etc.

I don't know what the 'Caps agreement (financially) is with BC Place. But it makes sense why Kerfoot and the 'Caps brass is still pursuing their own building. Don't know if the idea is dead in the water (or maybe it is at the current location). Something's gotta give. And what happens when MLS makes it mandatory for all MLS football clubs to build their own stadium? what happens to the 'Caps then?

The thing is you have to then compete with a larger venue, just a few blocks away, for those special events. For groups doing exhibition matches, usually the size of the venue is what matters more. While the outdoor experience, grass and views might attract some events to a Waterfront stadium, the 50,000+ seats at BC place will attract others. Some of the soccer specific stadiums in the US are also shared with other organizations, like Universities, or were built with funding from multiple sources. Home Depot Center in LA hosts 2 MLS teams, national team matches, and University games.

I highly doubt that the Whitecaps being in BC Place is costing them much. It's not like they are the Toronto Toros dealing with Harold Ballard in the Gardens. BC Place is a crown corp, and probably isn't charging market rates for the time the Whitecaps are in the stadium.

And a team owned stadium doesn't guarantee profitability. While Dallas and LA were profitable in their own stadiums a few years ago, they weren't in 2009. In 2009 there were only 2 profitable teams, Seattle and Toronto, and they both play in other people's stadiums: Quest Field is owned by Washington state, and BMO field is owned by the City of Toronto.

Seattle was mainly profitable because they sold out all their home games at an average attendance of almost 31,000, with 22,000 season tickets being sold in 2009. In 2010 they had an average attendance of 36,000 per match, and sold out all league matches, and played in the US open (at home) in front of a record crowd for the event. Oh, and they sold 32,000 season tickets last year, 10,000 more than the max capacity at BMO field.

I believe that today's Vancouver has the same potential for soccer rabidness as Seattle, and being in an equally large a stadium (also owned by the government) will result in the team being profitable pretty quickly (at taxpayers expense). The team is fast approaching its cap of 16,500 season ticket sales, and I'm confident they'll sell out all 20,000 or so seats in Empire field for their home opener. And I wouldn't be surprised if they open the top deck for the BC place opener.

However, I could be wrong in that guess, and the Whitecaps could be a complete failure, in which case having the city build them a waterfront stadium could be flushing hundreds of millions down the drain. Let them play the first 4 or 5 seasons in BC place, then determine if they need a stadium, how big it should be and where it should go.

If a rejuvenated BC Place attracts a lot of attendance for the Lions and Whitecaps, they could always leave the roof open during the season and put down some grass (MLS and CFL almost overlap completely) and cut the number of other events down (as profits from games would be way up and cover the loss). The teams could play in the rain, but the seats would still be covered.

I also hear they are going to play with a wide, FIFA sized pitch at BC place, so it's not like the field will be far away from the seats, and the stadium will feel very intimate (which seems to be the MLS catchphrase). The renders of seat views in the virtual stadium look pretty good.

[miniaturesnickers]

By the looks of the webcams, they're starting to remove the exterior concrete around the ramps... to be replaced with glass?

That would do wonders to the exterior look of the stadium.

[officedweller]

That's what one of the newspaper articles said would be done - I wonder how much of the concrete will be removed? looks like some vertical stripes - maybe all? It'll make for great views from inside, too.

One downside is that the wall of ivy facing Cambie Bridge on one of the ramp structures will probably be removed as a result. I've always thought that the ivy "humanized" the bulky stadium.

Hopefully the end result will still have some "weight" to it - to anchor the look of the stadium.

[officedweller]

Of interest from SSC - the Warsaw stadium recently had its cables raised (not sure how it was done, as they didn't have the big temporary centre tower that we have):

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=552599&page=49

[dleung]

^^Interesting. It's very interesting, and rare, to see something in Vancouver look more bold and daring than an equivalent project elsewhere, though I wish our masts had varying heights to form a bit of a saddle.

[nova9]

^^Interesting. It's very interesting, and rare, to see something in Vancouver look more bold and daring than an equivalent project elsewhere, though I wish our masts had varying heights to form a bit of a saddle.

Hahha, somehow the Saddle just makes me think of the Saddledome but because of our wires, it's our butless chaps saddledome. Weird, I know. But masts of varying heights maybe like a crown and in a sequence perhaps, but not as a saddle please. :)

[Canadian Mind]

I think that would look corny, I like it the way it is.

[Vancity]

By the looks of the webcams, they're starting to remove the exterior concrete around the ramps... to be replaced with glass?

That would do wonders to the exterior look of the stadium.

I'm curious as to how this would look like. anyone got any pictures of it?

[officedweller]

I don't think there are any renders - I seems like it's one of the "nice to haves" that got approved late in the process (together with replacing the dark glass).

[Owlhorn]

And a team owned stadium doesn't guarantee profitability. While Dallas and LA were profitable in their own stadiums a few years ago, they weren't in 2009. In 2009 there were only 2 profitable teams, Seattle and Toronto, and they both play in other people's stadiums: Quest Field is owned by Washington state, and BMO field is owned by the City of Toronto.



Whether you're referring to Cowboys Stadium or the Cotton Bowl you're looking at a little problem with including them. Cowboys Stadium was finished in 2009. No way a $1.2 billion stadium that's now looking like $1.5 billion would turn a profit the year it opened. The Cotton Bowl went through an extensive renovation and expansion in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Probably not going to turn a profit for that season.

[mrjauk]

Whether you're referring to Cowboys Stadium or the Cotton Bowl you're looking at a little problem with including them. Cowboys Stadium was finished in 2009. No way a $1.2 billion stadium that's now looking like $1.5 billion would turn a profit the year it opened. The Cotton Bowl went through an extensive renovation and expansion in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Probably not going to turn a profit for that season.

Hi Owlhorn (Rice alum?):

The money spent on the Cotton Bowl seems to be a waste. Correct me if I'm wrong, but no college football team uses the Cotton Bowl as its home field. Except for the Cotton Bowl game and the annual Red River rivalry how many other events are held in the Cotton Bowl on an annual basis?

[bigE]

Whether you're referring to Cowboys Stadium or the Cotton Bowl you're looking at a little problem with including them. Cowboys Stadium was finished in 2009. No way a $1.2 billion stadium that's now looking like $1.5 billion would turn a profit the year it opened. The Cotton Bowl went through an extensive renovation and expansion in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Probably not going to turn a profit for that season.

He would have been referring to Pizza Hut Park
http://www.fcdallas.com/pizza-hut-park/about

[Jebby]

Hi Owlhorn (Rice alum?):

The money spent on the Cotton Bowl seems to be a waste. Correct me if I'm wrong, but no college football team uses the Cotton Bowl as its home field. Except for the Cotton Bowl game and the annual Red River rivalry how many other events are held in the Cotton Bowl on an annual basis?

The Cotton Bowl game has been moved to Cowboys Stadium, so the only event I know that happens annually now at Cotton Bowl Stadium is the Red River Rivalry...seems like a huge waste of money that they renovated the stadium in 2008 to expand seating to 90,000+ !!!

[BCPhil]

Whether you're referring to Cowboys Stadium or the Cotton Bowl you're looking at a little problem with including them. Cowboys Stadium was finished in 2009. No way a $1.2 billion stadium that's now looking like $1.5 billion would turn a profit the year it opened. The Cotton Bowl went through an extensive renovation and expansion in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Probably not going to turn a profit for that season.

Nope, I was talking about soccer. The MLS. Pizza Hut Park only cost $80 million, and was built by the city, but recently the team has been losing money. They have a nice, soccer specific stadium that seats 21,000 but were not profitable in 2009.

What I was getting at was some teams get their own soccer specific stadium because they get unfavorable leases at stadiums owned by other teams. But that move does not guarantee they will be profitable, even when the stadium is owned by the public. Toronto is profitable because the city built a stadium in a great location and gave it to their friends in Maple Leaf entertainment, Seattle is profitable because they have a cheap lease with the state to use a multi use facility, with a lot of seats, that they sell out.

While a lot of people would like to see a soccer specific stadium built for the Whitecaps, I think BC Place will be great for at least the next 5 years. I'm of the belief that you get your fans first, then build them a special stadium, not of the "build it (with taxpayer money) and they will come" crowd.

And I don't think you quite get how debt and lending works either. Even if a $1.5 billion stadium is built by a team in the NFL, it can still be profitable the first year because the team doesn't pay the $1.5B in cash up front, it borrows that money. Just like if you were to buy a house, you pay your mortgage every month, and still hundreds of thousands at the end of the year, but you have positive cash flow into your bank account. You're profitable, even if you are in debt, because you can finance your debt with your income.

[bigE]

The reason Dallas isn't profitable is because their attendance is terrible (which is sad because they made it all the way to the finals this year)

http://mls.theoffside.com/attendance/and-the-results-of-mlss-2010-attendance-stats-are.html

LA is up there with Seattle and Toronto in terms of attendance, but their payroll is 5x more than some teams.
http://www.droppingtimber.com/2010/08/mls-team-payrolls-in-2010.html

[Locked In]

My photos (http://picasaweb.google.com/dev.pics.1/VancouverFall2010#5557001389883592066), today:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TR5vUmRdDYI/AAAAAAAAD9c/rRDnJiO3iv8/s1000/IMG_4393.jpg
Full Size (http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TR5vUmRdDYI/AAAAAAAAD9c/rRDnJiO3iv8/IMG_4393.jpg)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TR5vWX9qv9I/AAAAAAAAD9g/cKu3VPkoHeU/s1000/IMG_4395.jpg
Full Size (http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TR5vWX9qv9I/AAAAAAAAD9g/cKu3VPkoHeU/IMG_4395.jpg)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TR5vYPRPwQI/AAAAAAAAD9k/m-JgyOiIJSw/s1000/IMG_4397.jpg
Full size (http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TR5vYPRPwQI/AAAAAAAAD9k/m-JgyOiIJSw/IMG_4397.jpg)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TR5vZgAhG-I/AAAAAAAAD9o/SdbAS2jdpHg/s1000/IMG_4400.jpg
Full Size (http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TR5vZgAhG-I/AAAAAAAAD9o/SdbAS2jdpHg/IMG_4400.jpg)

[officedweller]

Great shots.. Thanks.
Is it just the landings that will be opened up at the ramps?

[Locked In]

You're probably right - but hopefully they're just removing the concrete facade in sections.

[nobase2010]

My pics from today, Jan 1, 2011.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5314204456_8dcf95d9e4_b.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5314204456/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5313607507_5d33796e2f_b.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5313607507/sizes/l/in/photostream/

[raggedy13]

A few pics I took yesterday (not all that much to add to the great shots of nobase and locked in):

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5313322463_e84573d835_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5313335649_a441a6bdd2_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5313935438_764168328c_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5313945534_3e22dc476c_b.jpg

[cornholio]

Not sure if anyone posted this but the Whitecaps have a virtual 360x360 BCPlace view from every seat. Its pretty cool and gives you a good idea of the final product.
http://whitecaps.io-media.com/


Also I should add the prices are outrages and although im a fan I will not be paying them out of sheer principal, and because im cheap.

[dtrain]

Notice how they have configured the upper deck seating? It looks like they blocked off several thousand seats and created the potential for another level of private suites. I wonder if this is accurate or simply how the Whitecaps chose to render this area for their seating map.
Anyone have any insight on this?

[dtrain]

On another note - I'm watching 'Hot Tub Time Machine', and at the 1 hr. point of the movie, John Elway is attempting a pass to... Larry Crawford of the BC Lions! (circa 1984) - and this is at BC Place Stadium, so it all works!

[Overground]

Notice how they have configured the upper deck seating? It looks like they blocked off several thousand seats and created the potential for another level of private suites. I wonder if this is accurate or simply how the Whitecaps chose to render this area for their seating map.
Anyone have any insight on this?

You mean what's seen on the Virtual Venue seating map? Only the lower level is shown.

The upper part of the lower level has areas of seating tarped off with Bell advertisements so WFC can adhere to their target of capped seat numbers at 20k. I'm guessing they will end up raising this though.

[SpikePhanta]

On another note - I'm watching 'Hot Tub Time Machine', and at the 1 hr. point of the movie, John Elway is attempting a pass to... Larry Crawford of the BC Lions! (circa 1984) - and this is at BC Place Stadium, so it all works!

Not to mention the part where Lougoogle billionaire and the friends are on the yacht is filmed in False Creek!

[scooterm2010]

Mast #34 is going up. 2 masts and 5 compression beams left to go.

[golog]

Mast #34 is going up. 2 masts and 5 compression beams left to go.

thanks for the tally update

[Fairbanks]

Mast 35 hoisted into place. ! to go. Compression beams and glass daylight frames still be installed. Nailbiting begins as to whether roof will open and close or not.

[officedweller]

"daylight frames" - are those the clerestory panels below the compression beams? Haven't seen pics of those yet (nor in person) - which side of the stadium?

[hollywoodnorth]

"daylight frames" - are those the clerestory panels below the compression beams? Haven't seen pics of those yet (nor in person) - which side of the stadium?

yes that is them ...... and none have been put into place yet. I would assume all Masts and compression beams would need to be ERECTED before the daylight frames start to go up. So give it another week or 2.

[officedweller]

Thanks.

They'll have to be flexible since the mast structure will flex and sway slightly with the wind (I think that why the clerestory panels won't be glass, but the same clear plastic/polymer material used on the Beijing Water Cube).

[Owlhorn]

Hi Owlhorn (Rice alum?):

The money spent on the Cotton Bowl seems to be a waste. Correct me if I'm wrong, but no college football team uses the Cotton Bowl as its home field. Except for the Cotton Bowl game and the annual Red River rivalry how many other events are held in the Cotton Bowl on an annual basis?

The Cotton Bowl renovation was only $50 million. It hosts The Al Lipscomb Classic, Red River Rivalry, Baylor vs Texas Tech, a Division II game of semi-local teams and the Ticket City Bowl. 5 games is similar to some college home schedules. So not bad at all. I'm sure the money has been considered made back in revenues from hotels, restaurants and rentals that might have been lost if the game was moved.

Nope, I was talking about soccer. The MLS. Pizza Hut Park only cost $80 million, and was built by the city, but recently the team has been losing money. They have a nice, soccer specific stadium that seats 21,000 but were not profitable in 2009.

Pizza Hut Park is in the far flung suburbs, where the only way to get to it is to take one of the tollways. Though Frisco actually has things to do, its far away from most of the metro area therefore attendance is somewhat hurt by its location. That was called by many the day it was announced. Its isolated from even most suburbs and is even isolated from Frisco's other minor league and entertainment venues. Horrible location for anything but an auto racing venue.

And no, you're not gonna make a profit on a $1.5 billion stadium in 1 year. Mark Cuban pointed out the math on this back when the AAC was built. Its just an expensive thing to simply operate.

[dtrain]

Is that the last erection I see going up?

[hollywoodnorth]

I think so! what a great series of Erections to watch! one after another after another

a little sad I wont be seeing any more Erections this year :(

in tribute here is Turbonegro - I Got Erection >>

eEJGk8qfAgI

[golog]

Is that the last erection I see going up?

I think there's still one mast left to go up on the North side.
+ 2 cross beams for it
+ 1 cross beam for the south side
+ 36- ~10 = 26 replacement of temporary thick cable with the final double cables
+ some painting
+ removal of temporary scaffolding, temporary diagonal bracing cables

I saw them cutting (?) one of the temporary cables while waiting to go into the Canucks game. They had a welding tent around that platform at the very top

I wonder what the next stages are. Teflon-don said main roof donut for early March, with the retractable donut hole roof as a separate stage.


I heard a rumour back in September that the Seattle Mariners and Florida Marlins are hoping to play in the Stadium at the end of June if it's ready. It was reported by several newspapers, blogs, radio, and probably these forums too but no confirmation or denial yet. So I think it's legit -- some Floridian probably saw the Olympics on TV and said "let's go there"

Marlins are supposed to host 3 games in late June but U2 has booked their stadium, both teams have west coast road trips afterward. So far Pavco has only publicly committed to having the stadium open for the fall and BC Lion's season. I've seen it written on another forum that the contract with PCL has a mid July temporary occupancy date.

After the Olympics I would expect a project like this to come in ahead of the publicly announced schedule.

Based on what is known -- how likely is it that BC Place is ready by June?

As long as the roofs, scoreboard, and LED banner displays are installed, then they could clear out the inside, install turf, stock the concessions, and host an event without windows or exterior lighting. Summer weather without the windows would be fantastic.

Have Whitecaps season ticket holders heard anything yet? Would they be warned so they don't buy a season-long parking pass at Empire Stadium?

Then on Monday, January 24, Thordarson's squad will reconvene for preseason training ahead of the new MLS season. Whitecaps FC will have two months to prepare, with Vancouver being one of 18 clubs to play a 34-match regular season campaign over the span of 32 weeks. Regular season action will begin on Tuesday, March 15, with 'MLS First Kick' week and conclude on Saturday, October 22. The 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs will then take place following the end of the regular season schedule.

[Fairbanks]

The final mast is now attached to crane. Today is the day!

[Fairbanks]

FinaL Mast is being hoisted into place and just realized the seats are all being removed.

Interior cam is active again also.

[dtrain]

36 erections now across the sky!

It's beautiful!

(so intense!)

[Zassk]

Is this the climax?

[officedweller]

DP application link - with colour render...

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20110118/documents/p4.pdf

[raggedy13]

Here is the render which I isolated from the pdf above:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/casinorender.jpg
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20110118/documents/p4.pdf

[nova9]

The off-kilter facade on the casino actually adds to the imagery of the spider legs of the stadium masts. They look like webbing.

[Teflon Don]

I wonder what the next stages are. Teflon-don said main roof donut for early March, with the retractable donut hole roof as a separate stage.


Schedule change has Fabric starting April. Retractable will start around the same time. Better this way as working in the cold sucks. Been there done that.......

[Yume-sama]

Wow, that actually looks pretty good.

I was at the Edgewater Casino lastnight... will that be closing when the new one opens?

They need more Baccarat tables :P

[Canadian Mind]

I think it looks nice. What are they going to do with the lot across the Smithe Street extension?

And I know I'm of the opinion that the views of the mountains are over-played, btu I think it looks kind of odd having a tower butted right up against the legs of the roof. Would it not look better, and provide better arial and street level views of the stadium, if towers as tall or taller than the roof of the stadium were set back from it? In this case, have the taller portion of the tower up against the corner of Smithe and Pacific, instead of up against the stadium.

And does the Casino floor space all count towards job space?

[Vancity]

FinaL Mast is being hoisted into place and just realized the seats are all being removed.

Interior cam is active again also.

Is this because they are replacing all of them? some of them? or that they are doing internal renovations now, and it's necessary to remove the seats?

[mr.x]

Is this because they are replacing all of them? some of them? or that they are doing internal renovations now, and it's necessary to remove the seats?

It has been confirmed that all of the seats will be replaced...the new colours are red and grey (some sections red, others grey).

[Vancity]

It has been confirmed that all of the seats will be replaced...the new colours are red and grey (some sections red, others grey).

NICE. Red and Grey. Why does the virtual BC Place have the seats all blue, then? LOL.

[jsbertram]

Is this the climax?

Whew! I'm quite worn out.

I need a smoke now ....

[Jebby]

Is this the climax?

Does anyone have any climax shots?

[Fairbanks]

Last compression beam installed. 3 Crowsnests left to be installed atop masts on northeast end of stadium. I imagine the new upper glass walls will be the next visible phase to start.

[Fairbanks]

This may be reaching but... who's corporate colours are red/gray? Maybe this is a clue to who is going to get naming rights to the stadium.

[Canadian Mind]

This may be reaching but... who's corporate colours are red/gray? Maybe this is a clue to who is going to get naming rights to the stadium.

CP Rail, Rodgers, or Air Canada?

[Denscity]

:previous: All of those are red and white actually. cant think of a red and grey company.

[Chikinlittle]

Target? :)

[Fairbanks]

Target? :)

Thankfully their corp colours are red/white also...whew!!!!

How does everyone feel about NIKE Stadium?

[Spoolmak]

Budweiser? The bud bowl :)

[hollywoodnorth]

well seeing as we are knows as Vansterdamn how about the

how about the "Rizla BC Bud Bowl"

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

OR even better

the "The Smoking BC Bud Bowl"

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

[Locked In]

This may be reaching but... who's corporate colours are red/gray? Maybe this is a clue to who is going to get naming rights to the stadium.

Diet Coke Stadium?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DwzYpT1SDSQ/TGlaZ4Cb0EI/AAAAAAAADQ0/B3SNYIecGhQ/s400/diet-coke.jpg
Source (http://placeforinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/08/mom-you-know-diet-coke-will-kill-you.html)

[Fairbanks]

NIKE was an official sponsor of the Olympic Winter Games in a big way. I bet there was some backroom deal early on that included naming rights to the new stadium.

Just sayin'.

[Locked In]

^ I don't think Nike was a sponsor of the 2010 games: List of Sponsors (http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/List+Sponsors+2010+Winter+Olympic+Games/1279364/story.html). Looks like they did some footwear and some apparel for the US team, and they might have sponsored some of the other national Olympic committees I guess.

Anyways, are there any stadiums/arenas named after athletic companies? They might avoid that due to conflicts with the sponsors of leagues using the facilities...

[Fairbanks]

^ I don't think Nike was a sponsor of the 2010 games: List of Sponsors (http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/List+Sponsors+2010+Winter+Olympic+Games/1279364/story.html). Looks like they did some footwear and some apparel for the US team, and they might have sponsored some of the other national Olympic committees I guess.

Anyways, are there any stadiums/arenas named after athletic companies? They might avoid that due to conflicts with the sponsors of leagues using the facilities...

Check this link...Nike designed the Official Team Canada Hockey Jersey
http://azilda.flyerland.ca/products/sportchek-nike-team-canada-olympic-red-jersey-product-3911444

[Fairbanks]

http://inside.nike.com/blogs/niketraining-en_CA/tags/team_canada

Here is their advert projected on the side of Sears.

[Fairbanks]

http://inside.nike.com/blogs/niketraining-en_CA/2009/08/17/2010-team-canada-olympic-jersey-unveiled

[cc85]

it's just a nod to canadiana. can't have white seats getting dirty can we?

[TwoFace]

Since BIG BAD Rogers has muscled into Shaw's turf in a big way, I would assume that Shaw needs to make some type of statement to regain it's western prominence.
A 10 year deal on the stadium should do it.

[Fairbanks]

it's just a nod to canadiana. can't have white seats getting dirty can we?

Not a chance. Who puts white seats in a stadium?

[Locked In]

Check this link...Nike designed the Official Team Canada Hockey Jersey
http://azilda.flyerland.ca/products/sportchek-nike-team-canada-olympic-red-jersey-product-3911444

Ya, they did some sport-specific stuff for various countries. But I don't really see how that ties into a naming rights deal with PavCo...

[Fairbanks]

I actually think TWOFACE is right. It's very possible that Rogers will name both arena and stadium.

[g35]

Red seats don't age very much. Look at GM Place. From the bowl it looks like a brand new stadium 15 years later. Why? Dark red seats. I don't know what shade BC Place's will be but I wouldn't be surprised if they took a cue from their neighbour.

[TwoFace]

I actually think TWOFACE is right. It's very possible that Rogers will name both arena and stadium.

That's not what I said. I'm thinking that Shaw will name the Stadium to counter Rogers with the Ice Arena.

[Pinion]

If both are named Rogers, that would be spectacularly dumb.

Especially since people are already confusing Rogers Arena and Rogers Centre.

[bigE]

100% it wont be Nike. Reebok is the jersey and apparel sponsor/manufacturer for all CFL teams, and for MLS it's Adidas.

[officedweller]

I still say Budweiser...

[entheosfog]

From Grandview:

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/5194/img0141bw.jpg

[Spoolmak]

I still say Budweiser...

Thats what I said. Why shouldn't it be? The stadium practically has a crown. King of beers.

[Canadian Mind]

You wouldn't be able to buy any other kind of refreshment at the football games. :(

[WarrenC12]

You wouldn't be able to buy any other kind of refreshment at the football games. :(

Better than that Russell crap they served at the old dome... :cheers:

[nova9]

You wouldn't be able to buy any other kind of refreshment at the football games. :(

Ew, I would not want to have such a major symbol of Americana to have a presence in Vancouver. I mean, Budweiser? Ew.

[Yume-sama]

And worse yet, what if that was the only beer available at the stadium??

My last ever balcony photo showing BC Place. My new place does not look towards it :(
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5362003004_af2ee77a7a_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/5362003004/

Compared to my first ever balcony shot :P
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2526401932_c416cf40d6_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/2526401932/

[TwoFace]

Ew, I would not want to have such a major symbol of Americana to have a presence in Vancouver. I mean, Budweiser? Ew.

Agreed, that's way to much Yank for me. Maybe Smith & Wesson?
Either way, can't see it happening as it's not politically correct.

[g35]

The big crane is being dismantled. Can't believe they lifted all 36 masts from the inside with all those cables in the way.

[golog]

They could turn on green lights for the masts and call it the Bud Light Lime bowl

[officedweller]

Thats what I said. Why shouldn't it be? The stadium practically has a crown. King of beers.

I've been saying that for a looong time too (although the preference is now for "Budweiser/ Bowl or Bud Bowl")
The stadium as crown imagery is bang on.

On the naming front - does the Budweiser crown resemble the new roof?

===> "Bud Place" or "BC Bud Place"

http://mapage.noos.fr/joelapompe2/assets/crown2002_0989.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/joelapompe2/assets/crown2002_0989.jpg

http://neverthemachineforever.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/budweisercrown-300x188.png
http://neverthemachineforever.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/budweisercrown-300x188.png
http://tabletopny.com/images/bud_crown_l964.jpg
http://tabletopny.com/images/bud_crown_l964.jpg

[golog]

If that Budweiser thing doesn't work out, there's always KFC which has the right colours, an iconic bucket, and a bowl menu item

Practically speaking, is CIBC the only big5 bank without a stadium? They could call it the CIBC Money Hole

[Spikester]

If that Budweiser thing doesn't work out, there's always KFC which has the right colours, an iconic bucket, and a bowl menu item

If it comes to that, let's hope they come up with something better than the unfortunate moniker they hung on the new arena in Louisville: KFC Yum! Center. And yes, the exclamation point is part of the name.

[g35]

Anyone know what those horizontal bars poking into the stadium at the bottom of each mast are for? http://www.bcplacestadium.com/index.php/construction.html#webcam

[Fairbanks]

Anyone know what those horizontal bars poking into the stadium at the bottom of each mast are for? http://www.bcplacestadium.com/index.php/construction.html#webcam

http://whitecaps.io-media.com/
Go to this website and after clicking start, click on Suite for the drop down menu. Click exterior and you will see what they are doing.

[SpongeG]

About
Vancouver readers, if you are opposed to a new mega-casino (to be largest casino in BC, 1500 slots, 61% larger than River Rock) slated for right next to BC Place stadium in our downtown core, please see here and they also have a Facebook page. Thank you. ________________

http://blog.ounodesign.com

those opposed can pay a visit...

[White Pine]

One of the many things I can't stand is corporate naming rights for sports venues. If you have a stadium, name it for the city, the team that plays there, name it after somebody, or something, anything but a company. Aside from sounding stupid, it also lacks continuity. Maple Leaf Gardens and the Montreal Forum were famous arenas, something that would be difficult to achieve today. now arenas are just A building in part because over the course of history it's been Budweiser Arena, CBC.ca Place, the Home Hardware Centre, Marley's Mattress Mart Arena, etc.

[hankthetank]

One of the many things I can't stand is corporate naming rights for sports venues. If you have a stadium, name it for the city, the team that plays there, name it after somebody, or something, anything but a company. Aside from sounding stupid, it also lacks continuity. Maple Leaf Gardens and the Montreal Forum were famous arenas, something that would be difficult to achieve today. now arenas are just A building in part because over the course of history it's been Budweiser Arena, CBC.ca Place, the Home Hardware Centre, Marley's Mattress Mart Arena, etc.

If someone paid me millions of dollars a year I would let them call me whatever they wanted!

[jlousa]

Gee and I was hoping for Tim Hortons Centre (the chilli bowl or perhaps just the donut) and Have the concessions switch to Timmys as well.
Or perhaps the way they are expanding downtown it could be the A&W centre (the onion ring) with them doing the concessions.

Of course we'll probably end up with it being Toyota Centre (The Hybrid).