[wrenegade]

Am I the only one who thinks this thing is kinda ugly? I mean I love the idea of the open roof, but from pictures of similar designs from across the world, I just feel that ours is an ugly duckling.

[Yume-sama]

Well, it's nothing groundbreaking, but it's not as ugly as the O2 Arena in London that it is most definitely modeled after.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2180/2220013261_8a320b69c7_b.jpg

[Pinion]

Am I the only one who thinks this thing is kinda ugly? I mean I love the idea of the open roof, but from pictures of similar designs from across the world, I just feel that ours is an ugly duckling.

It'll be seen as an embarrassing eyesore once the novelty wears off.

[wrenegade]

It'll be seen as an embarrassing eyesore once the novelty wears off.

Exactly what I am afraid of.

[officedweller]

I agree that the existing air-supported dome is a more elegant design.

[officedweller]

But that doesn't necessarily indicate a flaw in the original design - it has worked well for 25 years. It's more likely aging equipment.
Ultimately, the new roof is aimed at looking at the sky and maybe saving on electrical costs of keeping the air pressure up. Not sure what the impact on air temperature in the dome will be after the new roof goes in.

[mr.x]

With the new glass facade replacing the old concrete exterior, the night lighting effects (which will hopefully last), and a rather more modern looking roof i think it's a huge improvement over what we have today.

I can't see why anyone would prefer our old roof.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/245/1654213uv6.jpg

[officedweller]

Just personal preference. Like modernist versus other more decorative styles of architecture.

[EastVanMark]

The new roof may look better but will end up being despised in the long run. The crowd noise that was created by the current roof is legendary and will be all but lost in the new stadium roof. Also, the hole in the roof when retracted will be relatively small and will be obstructed by the various cables as well as that contraption that the roof section folds up into thus, not giving much of a feel of an open stadium. This new design may be decorative and look nice from the outside, but from a practical side, it is a failure and a waste of money. If they wanted a true retractable roof, they should spend a little extra money and do it right.

[mr.x]

The new roof may look better but will end up being despised in the long run. The crowd noise that was created by the current roof is legendary and will be all but lost in the new stadium roof. Also, the hole in the roof when retracted will be relatively small and will be obstructed by the various cables as well as that contraption that the roof section folds up into thus, not giving much of a feel of an open stadium. This new design may be decorative and look nice from the outside, but from a practical side, it is a failure and a waste of money. If they wanted a true retractable roof, they should spend a little extra money and do it right.

Noise levels will certainly decrease, but it'll still be a lot louder than other stadiums in Canada considering that it's still a domed structure with the same material.

As for a "true retractable roof", the stadium probably wouldn't be able to handle that for reasons previously discussed.

[dreambrother808]

People like to bitch, end of story.:)

[leftside]

I think the whole site looks amazing!

[eduardo88]

funny isnt it, that at first everyone was cheering this, and now half the people on the forum are bashing it.

i think it'll look great, the current stadium is a complete embarrassment. i can't wait to see this built!

[Metro-One]

i think it is funny how almost everyone wishes for more variety in architecture in Vancouver on this forum, and whenever we do get something different proposed all everyone seems to do is bitch about it.

[Yume-sama]

i think it is funny how almost everyone wishes for more variety in architecture in Vancouver on this forum, and whenever we do get something different proposed all everyone seems to do is bitch about it.

Yes...

Us: "This city never gets NICE things! Mostly because of those stupid viewcones like the one over the viaduct"

Them: "Here is something that is nice and like nothing ever before built in this city!"

Us: "Yeah... it looks nice now, but it'll look drab and out of place with our "unique" Vancouver style, and block viewcones over the viaduct..." :yes: :yes:

Personally, I am looking forward to seeing THAT, instead of this.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2526401932_c416cf40d6_b.jpg
(Amazing how fast TV Towers was built, isn't it? This was from a couple of months ago!)

[Metro-One]

Someone will always think anything even mildly unique is tacky, to me this is not tacky at all though. Look at the stadiums around the world, this one to me will actually be one some of the nicest.

[mr.x]

Lemme guess, northwest2k has returned. Will a mod please click on the ban button.



Perhaps one of the most stupidest comments you've made.

Its just plain ugly. This isn't europe. We don't need weird long pointy pieces of metal protruding from the roof all along the outside. This is north america. The stadium should be about functionality not a fashion statement. Why spend all this money when we have a roof that looks perfectly good from inside and out.


The spikes and their specific 50-metre lengths are engineered to support the new roof structure.....they aren't putting in spikes around the roof for nothing.

Not to mention, since when was there ever a distinction between North American and European architecture?

[mr.x]

Who??? Who is that??? And why are you saying I should get banned?? What did I do?? What a clown

Nice try. :rolleyes: The clock's ticking for you, goodbye. :worship:


Anyways those spikes look ridiculous. We both know this roof can be designed with a much lower profile. We can have an open roof without those ridiculous spikes all along the outside.

I'll say it again. They're trying to make top notch stadium on a budget and it failed. After this is built it won't even be in the top 30 best stadiums in north america.

An open roof is not an option with BC Place also being convention and exhibition space.

And you're making that claim based on?

The whole point of these renovations is to extend the life of the stadium by another 25-years, and at quite a feasible and economical cost of $250-300-million.

[mr.x]

What do you mean an open roof is not an option? I thought this new roof was going to have an opening in it.

If its not going to be open then we're essentially getting the same thing that we have now

Hahahahahaha

What you suggested before was a permanently open roof (only a roof for the stands), meaning without a retractable roof. A permanently open-air facility, like Qwest, is not an option.



So we're paying 300 million to renovate an already old and crappy stadium. When Qwest Field was built for 350 million and it looks ten times better than bc place

If we're still getting a closed roof, why wouldn't we just replace the currently designed roof???

This is ridiculous. We're trying to make a fashion statement with this new roof and it failed miserably.


You should note that Qwest Field was built 6 years ago with construction beginning 8 years ago... and construction costs have climbed astronomically eversince. Something like Qwest in Vancouver would easily cost double, excluding the cost of a retractable roof.

A new stadium with a retractable roof similar to what is being proposed now would cost double of Qwest and some more. And you could add a handsome premium if you want a rigid metal retractable roof, and that would push the cost well beyond a billion dollars.


LOL....your "fashion statement" comment. The proper term would be aesthetically pleasing, and there's nothing wrong with that in the first world of the 21st century.

[Distill3d]

X:

there's no pleasing this guy

the new stadium design is going to look awesome! it looks like it could compete with the likes of Wembley, Beijing National Stadium (the bird cage), and Emirates Stadium.

[eduardo88]

that guys an idiot, i wouldnt go as far as comparing it to new wembley or the beijing olympic stadium, but its still going to look great. its going to be a world class venue and i'm crossing my finger we get an MLS franchise!! seeing as waterfront stadium is probably not going to built anytime soon, this is our only chance...

[mr.x]

http://www.rogliv.com/Vancityimages/DSCN0064.JPG

http://i.pbase.com/u8/theduck/upload/37379178.IMG_4121.jpg

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/245/1654213uv6.jpg

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/1705/1865432ty8.jpg

[mr.x]

that guys an idiot, i wouldnt go as far as comparing it to new wembley or the beijing olympic stadium, but its still going to look great. its going to be a world class venue and i'm crossing my finger we get an MLS franchise!! seeing as waterfront stadium is probably not going to built anytime soon, this is our only chance...

I wouldn't compare it to Beijing's National Stadium either, but there are some elements of the new Wembley that are comparable...particularly the glass facades:

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/wembley-400x300.jpg

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/images/mb/Channel4/4homes/architecture/riba-stirling-prize/riba-stirling-prize-2007/architects-journal-top-50-buildings/wembley-stadium-credit-lg.jpg

http://www.architecturelist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/wembley-stadium.jpg

http://levelselect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/wembley-stadium.jpg





Not to mention that the new developments around the stadium will add to the facade.

[mr.x]

new rendering from the stadium site:
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/images/roofinterior.jpg

[eduardo88]

to be honest i find wembley quite a dissapointment. the renderings for BC place look so much better. this is going to be such an amazing stadium, especially the setting its in. i love how the area is going to be transformed, its so dead right now even with all the condo developments, this should breath some street life into the area :)

[vanman]

So the facade of the new BC place will be all glass?

[g35]

new rendering from the stadium site:


I love seeing these renderings. But the wide-angle shots make the hole in the roof look bigger than it will be. IRL it'll probably look minescule. Is that area between the upper deck glass or some kind of opaque panelling? If it's glass it'll increase the spacious feeling by a lot.

[agrant]

Is that area between the upper deck glass or some kind of opaque panelling? If it's glass it'll increase the spacious feeling by a lot.Good question. It does look like it would be a glass type panelling. I'm sure what we see now isn't necessarily going to be exactly what we'll see in 2011. Tough to see this in the latest rendering showing the outside. In the soccer configuration, with the upper deck blocked off, we probably wouldn't be able to enjoy that feature.

[Overground]

Besides Commerzbank Arena, BC Place will resemble Warsaw's National Stadium, which will be finished in 2011 too.

http://i.wp.pl/a/f/jpeg/19774/stadion_narodowy_jsk512_2.jpeg
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5996/10dp2.jpg

more renders and schematics - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19800171&postcount=73


.

[thenorthofvan]

Does anybody know how the construction will affect the BC lions schedule during the roof reconstruction ?

[mr.x]

Does anybody know how the construction will affect the BC lions schedule during the roof reconstruction ?

The Lions will probably have to take a road trip for the entire season.


Not sure if the hosts have been announced yet, but the Lions should really make a bid for the 2011 or 2012 Grey Cup....would be a great way to start off at its new home at the 'new' stadium. And 2012 is the Grey Cup's 100th. :D

[Yume-sama]

If I recall correctly, the CFL has tentatively awarded the 2012 Grey Cup to Ottawa.

Because they just never give up.

[fever]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/eileen.ratcliffe/Images/lollerskates-small.gif

(ntlworld)

[mr.x]

If I recall correctly, the CFL has tentatively awarded the 2012 Grey Cup to Ottawa.

Because they just never give up.

I'm assuming Ottawa will actually have its own team by then.:jester:

[Yume-sama]

Speaking of never giving up :P

[EastVanMark]

Noise levels will certainly decrease, but it'll still be a lot louder than other stadiums in Canada considering that it's still a domed structure with the same material.

As for a "true retractable roof", the stadium probably wouldn't be able to handle that for reasons previously discussed.

Still being louder than most stadiums in Canada is akin to being the smartest kid in summer school since the stadia situation in Canada is deplorable. (and that's putting it nicely)!

A "true" retractable roof is certainly possible however it would have to be built independent of the current stadium since it cannot stand the extreme weight load that would be placed up on it by the new roof. The retractable portion could run along tracks again outside of the stadium itself.

[mr.x]

Still being louder than most stadiums in Canada is akin to being the smartest kid in summer school since the stadia situation in Canada is deplorable. (and that's putting it nicely)!

A "true" retractable roof is certainly possible however it would have to be built independent of the current stadium since it cannot stand the extreme weight load that would be placed up on it by the new roof. The retractable portion could run along tracks again outside of the stadium itself.

That's certainly possible, but at what cost?

If you were to do that, you might as well demolish the stadium and start over.

[EastVanMark]

That's certainly possible, but at what cost?

If you were to do that, you might as well demolish the stadium and start over.

True, the cost would be higher. (probably a lot higher).

But since they are selling off development rights to finance these renovations, why not look into raising extra funds to build a more functional roof? It seems a real shame that a brand new roof will rob the stadium of its legendary crowd noise.

[Yume-sama]

Don't worry, I'm sure they'll keep the roof shut more often than not.

1. It's Vancouver weather...
2. People who buy condos beside the stadium with the open roof will complain endlessly about the noise :P

[fever]

Hey. Now that the last post from towerguy-reincarnate number 4 was deleted my lollerskates make absolutely no sense.


All of these modern stadiums will look dated after a few years. BC Place was one of several of its type built in the 80's, and now they all look like stadiums that were built in the '80s. Maybe the best stadium design is one you can't see at all, hidden within the fabric of the city. This seems to be the intent with BC Place, Thunderbird stadium-like spikes aside.

[agrant]

Don't worry, I'm sure they'll keep the roof shut more often than not.

1. It's Vancouver weather...
2. People who buy condos beside the stadium with the open roof will complain endlessly about the noise :PPerhaps. Any slight variation of what they're used to will be a potential reason to complain. You'd think the condos these days would have a bit of sound insulation. Concrete between the floors is enough to quench sounds that way, but I'm not sure how well the windows would protect from sound.

[Metro-One]

:previous: Proper sound proofing should be done, but i am more for the buyer beware side on this issue. If you buy a condo between/beside a metro area's two largest stadiums expect there to be noise. That is the bottom line. Not everywhere can be sleepy and quiet. I do not want to see the city loose events because the stadium is "too loud" and infringes on peoples bubbles in the towers overlooking it. No more having it both ways.

[mr.x]

^ we live in Vancouver.....we bow down to NIMBY's. Take the elevated False Creek section of the Expo Line for example, by that condo tower complex just north of Main Street Station. The SkyTrain station came first, then the towers. Then the residents of the towers complained about how the trains were so loud when they sped through the section and screeching through the corner turn.

So what did Translink do? They slowed the trains to a snail pace at that 400-metre section. Cars are flying under and bypassing the train.


And I think it was fever that mentioned how UBC built a condo tower too close to Thunderbird Stadium, and now the stadium needs to abide by noise bylaws by forbidding events late at night or something like that.

[agrant]

:previous: Proper sound proofing should be done, but i am more for the buyer beware side on this issue. If you buy a condo between/beside a metro area's two largest stadiums expect there to be noise. That is the bottom line. Not everywhere can be sleepy and quiet. I do not want to see the city loose events because the stadium is "too loud" and infringes on peoples bubbles in the towers overlooking it. No more having it both ways.I agree. :cheers:

[mr.x]

Perhaps. Any slight variation of what they're used to will be a potential reason to complain. You'd think the condos these days would have a bit of sound insulation. Concrete between the floors is enough to quench sounds that way, but I'm not sure how well the windows would protect from sound.

There was an article years ago about how Aberdeen Residences was sound proof....and the windows have three layers of glass or somethinng like that....about 1-inch thick windows.

[agrant]

There was an article years ago about how Aberdeen Residences was sound proof....and the windows have three layers of glass or somethinng like that....about 1-inch thick windows.I think that's something people should ask about when buying a condo, especially one downtown.

[Yume-sama]

L'Hermitage has quite amazing soundproofing. You wouldn't really know you were inbetween West Georgia and Robson Street. All the interior doors and everything are fire rated doors, I can't even hear the washing machine / dryer going if I close the door and have to check on it a few times to see if it's still going. :haha: And you can't yell at people in the next room, they can't hear. So you actually have to GET UP. Sigh.

[fever]

they're called double- or triple-glazed windows. pretty typical stuff, especially double glazing

yeah. concerts at thunderbird shut down ridiculously early

[WarrenC12]

A "true" retractable roof is certainly possible however it would have to be built independent of the current stadium since it cannot stand the extreme weight load that would be placed up on it by the new roof. The retractable portion could run along tracks again outside of the stadium itself.

Who's going to pay for this? If we had an NFL or MLB team (or both) here, it might be possible, but not with the CFL and maybe MLS being this stadium's prime tenants.

As a Lions seasonticket holder, this is the best possible solution I could hope for.

1. new stadium in the sticks - crap
2. "real" retractable roof - way to expensive, I don't want my tax dollars going to that.
3. current plan - good compromise. It will let some air in so the place is less stuffy in the summer, but still be fun when it's raining.

Plus there's nothing wrong with BC Place, it's getting a well deserved cleanup. Tearing it down would be a joke. I hate the throw-away culture of North America, and that would just be another example.

[jlousa]

Any new building shouldn't have issues with excessive noise from the windows*. The issue is when you open your windows. I know someone will pipe up and say that the units should have A/C so you don't need to open the windows. A/C is a huge consumer of power and besides it does not provide fresh air, having operatable windows is one of the biggest request for condo dwellers.
The best solution is to minimize the noise at the source, you obviously can't eliminate it but take whatever steps possible to mitigate it. The other obvious solution is not to build residential next to big noise makers and build something else instead. Ie stadiums build traffic and noise in the evenings and nothing during the day, office towers build traffic during the days and nothing at night they complement each other perfectly and can even share the same parking and transit options. The problem is we don't need that much office space.

[DKaz]

Mechanical engineering technologist chiming in here...

All new condos are by code required to have a passive acoustic fresh air intake so that the suites continue to receive fresh air even when windows are closed. This is further facilitated with designating one of the bathroom fans to run either continuously our in two 4-hour periods each day via a time clock (the latter being the more popular because you can use a cheaper 1.5sone exhaust fan rather than a quiet 1.0 sone exhaust fan). This works three seasons of the year but without AC we're often just cooking in the summer.

Previously, we simply pressurized the corridors with fresh air which would then seep into the suites. I liked this method better because the corridors acted as heat sinks so that by the time air got into the suites, it was tempered down to a cooler temperature. Unfortunately because of the fire code, this was no longer deemed acceptable. Designers could also duct fresh air directly to the suites and provide a fire damper to satisfied the fire code but developers are just too cheap to do this. The acoustic fresh air intake method is the cheapest. Not an issue if you're in a 4 storey wood frame building but noise is always an issue when you live up in the higher storeys where noise just travels absolutely unimpeded.

[EastVanMark]

^ we live in Vancouver.....we bow down to NIMBY's. Take the elevated False Creek section of the Expo Line for example, by that condo tower complex just north of Main Street Station. The SkyTrain station came first, then the towers. Then the residents of the towers complained about how the trains were so loud when they sped through the section and screeching through the corner turn.

So what did Translink do? They slowed the trains to a snail pace at that 400-metre section. Cars are flying under and bypassing the train.


And I think it was fever that mentioned how UBC built a condo tower too close to Thunderbird Stadium, and now the stadium needs to abide by noise bylaws by forbidding events late at night or something like that.

Yet another example of how stupid "condos everywhere" policies suck the life out of zones and districts where large events/gatherings take place, and therefore suck the life out of those areas and drives those events out to other areas

[EastVanMark]

Who's going to pay for this? If we had an NFL or MLB team (or both) here, it might be possible, but not with the CFL and maybe MLS being this stadium's prime tenants.

As a Lions seasonticket holder, this is the best possible solution I could hope for.

1. new stadium in the sticks - crap
2. "real" retractable roof - way to expensive, I don't want my tax dollars going to that.
3. current plan - good compromise. It will let some air in so the place is less stuffy in the summer, but still be fun when it's raining.

Plus there's nothing wrong with BC Place, it's getting a well deserved cleanup. Tearing it down would be a joke. I hate the throw-away culture of North America, and that would just be another example.

Agree about a new stadium in the sticks being a poor idea. However, a "real" retractable roof would cost more but could be constructed without any more tax dollars. Not to mention there are no concrete numbers out there to define just how much more a different roof would cost.

And as a Lions fan, I'm sure you enjoy the atmosphere of what is generally regarded as the loudest stadium in the CFL. With this new raised, flat roof, this will no longer be the case.

[WarrenC12]

Agree about a new stadium in the sticks being a poor idea. However, a "real" retractable roof would cost more but could be constructed without any more tax dollars. Not to mention there are no concrete numbers out there to define just how much more a different roof would cost.

And as a Lions fan, I'm sure you enjoy the atmosphere of what is generally regarded as the loudest stadium in the CFL. With this new raised, flat roof, this will no longer be the case.

How can you say it wouldn't cost taxpayer dollars? It looks like they will hardly be able to finance the work on the current roof with the real estate development they are doing now.

[Rusty Gull]

The noise factor for the BC Lions was admittedly nice. But I don't thing it should be a deterrent in building a new, open-concept roof. Frankly, being hemmed in during the summer months -- noise or not -- is a big downer.

Keep in mind that BC Place Stadium serves more than just football. With an open roof, I might just go down there for soccer games, concerts etc.

[EastVanMark]

How can you say it wouldn't cost taxpayer dollars? It looks like they will hardly be able to finance the work on the current roof with the real estate development they are doing now.

Through alternative financing methods that have been implemented in other cities such as land swaps, airport, hotel, and car rental levies that are paid by non locals the vast majority of the time and amounts to a few dollars at a time anyways so its hardly even noticeable

[Hong Kongese]

BC Place should be Major League Soccer-ready for 2011 season: PavCo

By Bruce Constantineau

December 3, 2008 9:01 PM

VANCOUVER — Don't worry, Vancouver Whitecaps.

Recession or no recession, BC Place stadium should be Major League Soccer-ready by the start of the 2011 season, retractable roof and all.

That was the word Wednesday from PavCo chair David Podmore, who expects to know the final price tag of the roof project by mid-January, with provincial cabinet approval expected soon after.

An upgraded BC Place stadium is crucial to the Whitecaps' bid for an MLS franchise to begin play in 2011.

A $65 million improvement to the stadium's interior is due for completion by November 2009, while work on an estimated $200 million-plus retractable roof, if approved, would begin in April 2010 and finish by the spring of 2011.

Questions about the viability of the roof project have arisen as the project's business plan calls for more than $100 million to be recovered through the sale and lease of development sites near the stadium.

However, the economic slowdown has clearly affected development activity throughout Metro Vancouver, with work halted or delayed on several projects.

Podmore said he's not worried about the impact of a recession, noting PavCo can delay the sale or lease of the development sites until the market recovers.

"I'm not concerned because we're talking about a program that's going to refurbish this stadium for 40 years," Podmore said. "If we take the land to the market in 24 months instead of six months, it doesn't kill the business proposition.

"I'm very optimistic we'll have strong [government] support for this."

Development plans for two major land parcels near the stadium call for up to 1.4 million square feet of new residential and commercial space to be built, including a maximum of 700,000 square feet of residential space.

"We would have mixed retail and entertainment uses on the rest of the site," Podmore said. "We want to get uses in that enliven and bring activity to the stadium area."

The stadium's interior renovation project already approved by the province includes improved access for disabled people, 35 refurbished suites and seven new suites and renovated concessions, washrooms, dressing rooms and general public areas.

Podmore said PavCo will soon award a separate contract for seismic upgrading and other work to prepare the stadium to receive the new roof.

He said design work on the roof project should be finished by January, after which PavCo will put out a tender for all the roof components - including steel, cables, castings, fittings and mechanisms for opening and closing the roof.

bconstantineau@vancouversun.com

[jlousa]

Finally some news regarding BC Place, looks like the general contractor will in fact be PCL. I removed the contact info just in case anyone would call and bother him for details.

Vancouver, Greater Vancouver RD BC NEGOTIATED/PLANS COMPLETE
BC Place Stadium - Roof Replacement, 777 Pacific Blvd, V6B 4Y8
$200,000,000 est
Start: January, 2009
Note: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO PRE-QUALIFY by the Construction Mgr for the following Sub Trades: Landscaping; Demolition including removal of existing roof; Micropile Installation; Asphalt; Reinforcing Steel; Concrete Formwork; Carbon Fibre Wrap; Masonry; Steel Structure; Misc Metals; Lockstrand Cable; Fixed Roof Fabric; Retractable Tenara Roof Fabric; ETFE Fabric On Facade; Mechanized Retractable Roof System; Sound System (including hoisting); Architectural Cladding; Glass & Glazing; Roofing; Interior Finishes; Mechanical; Electrical; Sprinklers; Building Controls; Acoustic Abatement; Exterior Building Maintenance; Elevator Upgrades; Arena Seating; Traffic Deck Coatings; & Amphitheatre Production Rigging. All enquiries are to be directed to XXXX XXXXXXX, PCL Estimator at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

[mr.x]

If only by 2010.....if only this bulletin was dated 2006/2007.

[johnjimbc]

I second Yume-sama on the soundproofing at L'Hermitage.

I don't know what they did right or different, but it is absolutely the quietest building I've ever occupied.

I've lived in some ridiculously noisy wood-frame constructions, an older terra-cotta building (terra-cotta can be surprisingly loud since it can create a hollow "drum" effect of "vibration noise amplified by the hollow areas within the terra-cotta brick). Fortunately, in the case of that building, the developer gutting and renovating the building put a great sound absorption layer of recycled rubber beneath the installed wood floors and installed sound isolation tracks before installing the new drywall ceilings. Those two items greatly minimized the impact noise though it did not eliminate entirely. If our above neighbors had a party, you would still have a sense of folks walking around in hard-soled shoes though it was very very slight (as opposed to the wood-frame building where I could hear claws scraping (that's not an exaggeration) whenever their small dog scampered around the entire apartment. I also lived in one other cement building, but even in it I would still notice sounds from side units on occasion and the sound of water draining through pipes in the walls on occasion.

But here at L'Hermitage, we've never really heard anything from the units around us, not even water draining (which really surprises me). You also don't notice sounds from the hall, though in that regard, I would add our neighbors are all rather quiet. If someone was yelling in the hall, I suspect we might notice it, though the entry hall is such that it is several feet and around a corner from the main living area.

The only noise I ever heard at all was the day I was window cleaning the top frames of the windows so was on a stool and closer to the ceiling in the corner of the living room. While cleaning, I head a slight thud directly above me. The reason it stood out at all was because it was the first time I'd ever heard another noise that was clearly from another unit, not because it was loud but because it was so very rare. I actually ran into the neighbor later in the elevator, who mentioned they got a new sofa that day that had been a pain to lift and move since it was so heavy. I think the "soft thud" I barely noticed was them situating a big heavy sofa in the living room.

That in my book gets an A+ rating. It's better than I could have hoped.

So whatever they did here should be taught and repeated. It is possible to create a quiet high-rise.

[orangevest]

Name your source for this info that PCL won the contract.


Vancouver, Greater Vancouver RD BC NEGOTIATED/PLANS COMPLETE
BC Place Stadium - Roof Replacement, 777 Pacific Blvd, V6B 4Y8
$200,000,000 est
Start: January, 2009
Note: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO PRE-QUALIFY by the Construction Mgr for the following Sub Trades: Landscaping; Demolition including removal

[mr.x]

Towerguy2 has returned.

[hollywoodnorth]

LOL oh my

[jlousa]

I don't think he'll stick around for long :tup:

Why should I need a source I work for the city remember. :rolleyes:

[Rusty Gull]

TowerGuy!!

Long time, no hear! The Shangri-La forum has been a bit quiet without you, not to mention the chatter about BC Place Stadium. Is your new nickname alluding to your insider information at Vancouver's tallest tower (remember the secret addition of the 62nd floor?)

[nova12]

Province mum on BC Place report

Chad Skelton, Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, July 23, 2007

The Crown corporation that operates BC Place warned the province about the need for improvements to the aging structure in a report written nearly seven months before the stadium's roof deflated, The Vancouver Sun has learned.

But exactly what those improvements were is unknown -- because the government is keeping the report's details a secret.

In response to a Freedom of Information request from The Sun, B.C. Pavilion Corp. (PavCo) released a 15-page report it sent to the B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Arts on June 20, 2006.

The report, titled "Infrastructure Improvements to BC Place Stadium," notes that "improvements are required to the infrastructure of BC Place Stadium so as to bring it up to standards expected by clients and spectators at events."

The report notes that the stadium "was built in 1983, and since then there have been no significant upgrades to infrastructure."

It also refers to "worn-out assets which are critical to basic tenant operations."

Whatever else the report said, though, is a mystery because, in the copy provided to The Sun, 14 of the report's 15 pages are completely blacked out.

PavCo refused to release those pages under Section 13(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which says public bodies "may refuse to disclose ... information that would reveal advice or recommendations" to the government.

However, that exemption is optional, meaning PavCo could have released the information if it wanted to.

Tourism Minister Stan Hagen, who is responsible for PavCo, was unavailable for comment, according to ministry spokesman Don McDonald.

McDonald, speaking on behalf of the ministry, said the PavCo report "contained various options on future capital construction or projects for BC Place."

Asked if the report included anything about BC Place's roof, McDonald said: "Not to my knowledge, no."

However, pressed further, McDonald conceded he actually hadn't seen the report and knew nothing about its contents -- including whether or not it suggested roof improvements.

"I actually don't know what's in the report," he said.

McDonald said he didn't know if the government had acted on any of the improvements suggested in the report.

"That's going to be hard for me to answer when I don't know what's in the report," he said.

Asked if there was anyone else in the ministry familiar with the report who could answer the question, McDonald said he was the only one available.

McDonald said PavCo's decision to black out most of the report was made in consultation with the ministry.

He refused to say why the government decided to keep the report secret, saying only that it contained advice to cabinet.

In an interview, BC Place general manger Howard Crosley refused to reveal what infrastructure problems were identified in the report -- other than to say none of them "endangers public safety."

Asked if the report identified any concerns with the stadium's roof, he replied: "I really can't comment on the report. I'm sorry."

Crosley also refused to say whether any improvements had been made to the stadium since the report was written.

BC Place's inflatable roof deflated on Jan. 5 after several tears appeared in the roof's fabric.

The roof was repaired and reinflated two weeks later.

Engineers hired by PavCo to examine the roof later concluded that it deflated as a result of human error, a weak fabric panel and, to a lesser extent, windy conditions.

cskelton@png.canwest.com

[Yume-sama]

How is that news 17 months after being published? :shrug:

[jlousa]

Funny how the IP matches the one I just banned for orangevest.
I'm thinking this guy is in serious need of counseling. :koko:

[nova9]

hi SSP. Longtime lurker and the appearance of orangevest using a nickname similar to mine prompted me to finally get a login at SSP to reclaim my internet identity away from that nutjob. Just wanted to say hello and I cannot wait to finally be able to contribute to all your awesome and enlightening discussions.

[mr.x]

hi SSP. Longtime lurker and the appearance of orangevest using a nickname similar to mine prompted me to finally get a login at SSP to reclaim my internet identity away from that nutjob. Just wanted to say hello and I cannot wait to finally be able to contribute to all your awesome and enlightening discussions.

I hate saying this, but after the mayhem that towerguy has left behind how can we really know that you're not him again trying to pretend to be Skyscrapercity's nova9? The extent he's willing to go is absurd....

Hopefully the mod's can clear things up.

[nova9]

I hate saying this, but after the mayhem that towerguy has left behind how can we really know that you're not him again trying to pretend to be Skyscrapercity's nova9? The extent he's willing to go is absurd....

Hopefully the mod's can clear things up.
Urgh, and that's why I decided to be an active member - for the exact reason that towerguy is a complete parasite. I'm sure the admin will vouch for me plus I put a post on SSC about this nova12 in the afternoon.

[mr.x]

Urgh, and that's why I decided to be an active member - for the exact reason that towerguy is a complete parasite. I'm sure the admin will vouch for me plus I put a post on SSC about this nova12 in the afternoon.

I sent you a PM at SSC.


Ugh yea, he's akin to a internet virus.

[mr.x]

Nova9 is indeed the same Nova9 at Skyscrapercity. :) Welcome to the forum!

[nova9]

Nova9 is indeed the same Nova9 at Skyscrapercity. :) Welcome to the forum!

Good to get that cleared up. Thanks! God knows you all have had enough of your share of crazy with that idiot. A clean slate.

A renovation related question that I can't seem to find the answer for. Those windows at the entrances, how are they being treated with regards to the renos. Replacement with a non-80s looking tinted glass perhaps?

[deasine]

A renovation related question that I can't seem to find the answer for. Those windows at the entrances, how are they being treated with regards to the renos. Replacement with a non-80s looking tinted glass perhaps?

Welcome Genuine Nova =) (heehee...) Jokes aside, I have a feeling they will be redoing the entire facade of BC Place... There's no way they can do simple cleaning to make it look like the ones in the renderings.

[johnjimbc]

deasine,

I SO hope you are right. I am still convinced the face of BC Place is the real issue. The dingy, black splotched exterior (with bird-splotched dark glass windows to boot!) creates a horrid first impression.

I've seen many many stadiums in my life, and most were much better looking than BC Place from the outside. And I have to laugh (instead of weep) that every time it rains, the exterior patios become little lakes because there is NO discernible design for drainage - who would have thought that might be needed in a rainforest city?

I feel strongly that the interior could be spotless but, unless the exterior is dramatically refurbished, it will send a poor message to the world. I'm just not convinced "cleaning" is enough to get the exterior up to an appropriate level for a world-class event.

[nova9]

I feel strongly that the interior could be spotless but, unless the exterior is dramatically refurbished, it will send a poor message to the world. I'm just not convinced "cleaning" is enough to get the exterior up to an appropriate level for a world-class event.

I agree. But just gauging from their piece meal renovation process leading up to the roof replacement, I'd imagine/predict (?) that Pavco will probably resort to something less extensive and unfortunately more on the cleaning side of the spectrum.

I guess I'm trying to see what's the bare minimum that people would accept as a level of improvement - knowing that the bare minimum here would be quite high, I was thinking more like, would replacement the glass with a better tint of glass to a step in the right direction even if it's not enough?

[mr.x]

deasine,

I SO hope you are right. I am still convinced the face of BC Place is the real issue. The dingy, black splotched exterior (with bird-splotched dark glass windows to boot!) creates a horrid first impression.

I've seen many many stadiums in my life, and most were much better looking than BC Place from the outside. And I have to laugh (instead of weep) that every time it rains, the exterior patios become little lakes because there is NO discernible design for drainage - who would have thought that might be needed in a rainforest city?

I feel strongly that the interior could be spotless but, unless the exterior is dramatically refurbished, it will send a poor message to the world. I'm just not convinced "cleaning" is enough to get the exterior up to an appropriate level for a world-class event.

They could probably hide all the concrete exterior with a ton of banners and maybe have some sort of lighting effect on it?.....sortof like what they plan to do for London's Olympic Stadium:
http://fillthemezz.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/2012_olympicstadium_london.jpg


It's a shame we can't get all the renovations done by 2010.

[touraccuracy]

when's this project target completion date?

i don't wanna sift through 24 pages!

[ravman]

renovations are underway now.... bathrooms are being ripped out and so is the floor... i know my department is going to loose space due to the fact that they are putting in pillars for the roof or something.... and they are painting the ceiling white- not that anyone actually notices the difference

[mr.x]

The nutjob speaks at GamesBids:


Why was Orangevest banned on skyscraperpage? I enjoyed interacting with him


http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13184





renovations are underway now.... bathrooms are being ripped out and so is the floor... i know my department is going to loose space due to the fact that they are putting in pillars for the roof or something.... and they are painting the ceiling white- not that anyone actually notices the difference

Personally, I think it'll help. Painting the ceiling white will definitely lighten up the corridors.....but it's a shame that all they're doing to the roof is painting it. o_o

[Metro-One]

:previous: I think the best thing to do is simply ignore, he must enjoy getting your guy's goats.

[mr.x]

^ Well, he's pretty much destroyed the 2010 section of GamesBids forums. The members are starting to leave because of him, me included - and i've been there since 2002. The moderator there simply does nothing.

[ravman]

Personally, I think it'll help. Painting the ceiling white will definitely lighten up the corridors.....but it's a shame that all they're doing to the roof is painting it. o_o

they are painting the walls light greenish and blue but painting concrete is ughhh i dunno i like concrete but the new floors on some of the ramps have more "grip" as they are textured and not concrete. simply put they are covering all the concrete with paint and or thin paper surface... i have more updates when i go back in the new year....

[mr.x]

^ is this what it looks like?
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/images/media_new/BCP_RamptoFoodCourt.jpg


Still too much concrete in the rendering in my opinion.

[fever]

That rendering is terrible, and it has nothing to do with the concrete. What's wrong with bare concrete, anyway?

The worst part of BC Place is the Terry Fox Memorial. The building next to it is just as bad.

[mr.x]

That rendering is terrible, and it has nothing to do with the concrete. What's wrong with bare concrete, anyway?

The worst part of BC Place is the Terry Fox Memorial. The building next to it is just as bad.

There's nothing wrong with concrete, especially when it looks contemporary. I guess it really is just the rendering.

[ravman]

^ is this what it looks like?
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/images/media_new/BCP_RamptoFoodCourt.jpg


Still too much concrete in the rendering in my opinion.

the payment is not red... more like black/white

the ramp is painted green/ blue well atleast couple are... the blue and green are similar to the pic

[nova9]

That rendering is terrible, and it has nothing to do with the concrete. What's wrong with bare concrete, anyway?

The worst part of BC Place is the Terry Fox Memorial. The building next to it is just as bad.From suilven222 on flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1053/1306869217_c51426bde3.jpg?v=0

The Terry Fox memorial is ugly. It's very dated. Memorials should be timeless pieces, not 80's with tiling. That's not very respectful at all. Plus, it's in a hidden location with very little traffic (at least whenever I'm there).

[raggedy13]

I agree that memorial deserves some kind of redesign.

Originally Posted by YellowVest
Why was Orangevest banned on skyscraperpage? I enjoyed interacting with him

Man that guy is a wacko. I realize he is talking about himself, but how could anywone have enjoyed interacting with orangevest on SSP when all he made were two posts?

[mr.x]

^ orangevest is a credible forumer at GamesBids, who happens to be also a forumer here at Skyscraperpage - I'm not exactly sure who it is.


Here are a few more, just for some entertainment:

You also tried changing aliases after you were banned on skyscraperpage as Mr. X and became Mr. X2.

So if there's anyone who should know about changing names, it's Mr. X / X2.

And as far as you trying to back up VANOC (you clearly work for them much like JLousa works for the City), it would be a travesty if they cancelled the Medal Ceremonies.

That was an integral part of their bid and probably helped Vancouver win the Bid for 2010.

Now that they won the bid, they scrap it.

Good work VANOC. You're as big a bunch of scumbags as those thiefs on Wall Street bringing down the U.S. economy

http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=13160&view=findpost&p=192982

Not sure exactly when that happened....

Just because I have a 2 on Mr.x2, he automatically thinks this was my second account. :D







I already know what the truth is about you Mr. X / X2 by speaking to people on Skyscraperpage.

You have this little fantasy that I'm the other usernames you have listed there, when I'm not.

Dream on.

http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=13160&view=findpost&p=192989


lol...



I want NBC to show closeups of BC Place's torn and tattered roof.

The public should be aware of the risks posed by that dome roof.

Mabey nothing will go wrong, but if the dome does implode on Feb 12, 2010, no one can accuse NBC of not telling the world of the risks.

http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=13152&view=findpost&p=192886

The media is responsible for many of the world's problems. Misinformation, overblowing things out of proportion, bias.....hell, their "news" on the recession isn't helping the economic situation one bit.




Incumbent on NBC? NBC ought to tell the world about BC Place, that the Government ignored the condition of the Roof until it was too late.

How about the time the Scoreboard caught fire at Key Arena in Seattle DURING a Sonics game? Not the media's job to report that?

Or the time a scoreboard completely fell inside an arena in Boston and smashed the basketball court below? Not a big deal?

The media can't be afraid to embarass others. Otherwise they'd never get stories out.

A scoreboard can be fixed or replaced. Problem with a dome is if it deflates, you've got yourself a stampede of people towards the exits.

People would get crushed and trampled to death. Look at what's happened at soccer stadiums during crowd riots and fires.

It's not the dome collapsing that would kill people. It's the stampede and panic that would ensue with 60,000 people trying to get out.

Hey BC Place's Roof is juicy news. I hope NBC is all over it.

http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=13152&view=findpost&p=192890

wow.....




Looks like NBC wants out of the Olympics:

Looks like NBC wants out of the Olympics:

http://www.king5.com/business/stories/NW_121708BUB_olympic_bid_KS.708af5ca.html

Nowhere in the article does it suggest NBC wants out. :D The only thing the article says is that other networks will be vying against NBC for the 2014/2016 tv rights.



And for the grand finale:


What's all this I'm hearing that there will be no Skytrain or Buses during the 17 days?

How will people get to work?

I want to know exactly what city transportation will be running and what will be curtailed during the 17 days.





Anyhow, how does this relate with BC Place? If the roof ever does fail again, it was his doing to fulfill his self-prophecy.:tup: :haha:

[hollywoodnorth]

From suilven222 on flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1053/1306869217_c51426bde3.jpg?v=0

The Terry Fox memorial is ugly. It's very dated. Memorials should be timeless pieces, not 80's with tiling. That's not very respectful at all. Plus, it's in a hidden location with very little traffic (at least whenever I'm there).

has anyone noticed the like 100 Men that Circle the Terry Fox Memorial every now and then???!!!!!!!!!!?????????


Its fucking CRAZY! I have driven by and thought

a) there is a soup line
b) welfare line
c) people looking for a job
d) those single dad protester guys (I forget the name of them now)


so ya if anyone knows what I am talking about please pipe up I sometimes think I am seeing things!

even if you dont know what they are doing tell me you see em as well!!!! :tup:

[dreambrother808]

Here are some photos of the Terry Fox Memorial, just outside of Thunder Bay, where his journey ended. It's in quite a beautiful location, a rocky outcrop overlooking Lake Superior. The monument is subdued, yet has a classic, timeless appeal. The statue, itself, has genuine emotional pull. A visitor's centre sits on the property as well, explaining Terry's story and offering tourist information for the area.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Ym8Obs9Ek_0/RuFg09ohN_I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/IK5r5J0iEDA/s720/IMG_2290_rev.jpg
Picasa (http://picasaweb.google.com/roysakaphotos/CarDriveToManitobaSaskatchewan#5107469915428829170)

http://www.celestinetech.com/family/RideReports/2006-06-24/TerryFoxMemorial.jpg
celestinetech (http://www.celestinetech.com/family/RideReports/2006-06-24/TerryFoxMemorial.jpg)

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l87/Caladin/Summer%202007%20Trip/IMG_0441.jpg
Photobucket (http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l87/Caladin/Summer%202007%20Trip/IMG_0441.jpg)

Obviously, I'm posting this as indication that Vancouver can do much better than its current monument.

[Distill3d]

no doubt a bigger Terry Fox Memorial should be erected at Simon Fraser University or as a center piece in Central Park in Burnaby. the memorial at BC Place is gaudy and out dated. it looks like some cheap imitation Oriental gateway.

[nova9]

With no disrespect, it looks like Terry's body is interred in the huge light box at the top of our gawdy memorial. It's just unbecoming of one of the few uncontestable, undeniable Canadian heroes. Terry Fox deserves much better than what's at BC Place.

[ravman]

no doubt a bigger Terry Fox Memorial should be erected at Simon Fraser University or as a center piece in Central Park in Burnaby. the memorial at BC Place is gaudy and out dated. it looks like some cheap imitation Oriental gateway.

there is something at SFU and its sorta like the one at Thunder Bay but smaller

[mr.x]

:previous: I think the best thing to do is simply ignore, he must enjoy getting your guy's goats.

You simply can't ignore him when he's literally everywhere:
http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13188&st=0&start=0



Mr X / X2 / Nitronuts on canucks.com thinks he's a God. He goes around to all the different boards and pleads with Moderators to have people bannished.

I ain't going nowhere and if you don't like it here, then go somewhere else.

I don't make apologies for my posts. I state what I think. I wasn't ever abusive to others and NEVER used profanity, unlike Mr. X / X2 / nitronuts on Canucks.com who had sworn at me several times here and other boards.

If anything I'll speak to the Mod about bannishing Mr. X / X2 / Nitronuts on Canucks.com.

Mabey Nitronuts should be banned for some of the idiotic posts he makes on Canucks.com?

[Yume-sama]

What an obscene suggestion. Banning someone for stupid comments on Canucks.com? There'd be nobody left!

[gardenparty]

While I'll reserve judgement until I'm sitting in my seats at a Lions game, from the models and renderings shown, you can put me firmly in the "coulda shoulda woulda" camp as of today. At least as far as the roof is concerned.

What's with the tiny peep hole on top? Will I have to feed it loonies or something to get to open? Will I have to stare up to clear open skies with one eye?

Seriously, does anyone know the dimensions of the roof when fully opened? I've noticed that PAVCO has been fairly mum on this topic, but I do recall when the announcement was made, it was something like 25m x 85m. Can anybody confirm this? I'd be happy if it looked like Commerzbank Arena, but I have the feeling it will be smaller than Texas Stadium.

[Cypherus]

What the hell is with towerguy's fetish with the hole in the BC Place roof? Welcome to 2 years ago. And seriously, this guy needs to re-evaluate his life if he has to massage his ego on internet forums...