BC Place: Stadium Refurbishment | Completed

[jlousa]

Without reading the conditions it's hard to say, if the DPB hasn't been approved it's possible that they can make them reduce the size. On the other hand if it's approved subject to those conditions, then as long as Paragon meets those conditions at this time (ie Jan) then the proposal can't be reduced in scope later by council. So if we assume that Paragon meets the atm, alcohol, problem gambling etc etc conditions imposed by current council, this council can not impose what a future council might or might not allow on the site. This is done to prevent any council from being able to box in future councils.

[SFUVancouver]

It's my understanding that it is not uncommon to have DPB approval be conditional upon demonstration that its noted concerns have been met. For a project this high profile I really didn't expect anything less. None the less, it's good to see that this is moving forward. The project meets the letter of the rezoning since the casino operations have not expanded despite the gaming floor area being larger. If the larger gaming floor could be configured in the future to accept more gaming tables and slots, then so be it. There would be a rezoning and the City would get its share in the form of a CAC. It strikes me as prudent for the casino to keep its future options open, especially since changing tastes, decor, and the possible development of entirely new uses for casino floor space may come about.

[Joat]

Do you have any predictions regarding the next civic election and the future council, jlousa? Share your wisdom and insight! I don't really follow vancouver politics as much as I should, and I'm curious to know about any challengers to Gregor and vision, and if they would be an improvement (in the eyes of a pro-development, pro-fun type like me).

Edit: Maybe the wrong topic to ask?

[Prometheus]

It's my understanding that it is not uncommon to have DPB approval be conditional upon demonstration that its noted concerns have been met. For a project this high profile I really didn't expect anything less. None the less, it's good to see that this is moving forward. The project meets the letter of the rezoning since the casino operations have not expanded despite the gaming floor area being larger. If the larger gaming floor could be configured in the future to accept more gaming tables and slots, then so be it. There would be a rezoning and the City would get its share in the form of a CAC. It strikes me as prudent for the casino to keep its future options open, especially since changing tastes, decor, and the possible development of entirely new uses for casino floor space may come about.

So to be clear: City council, at this stage, cannot require Paragon to reduce the proposed floor space?

[jlousa]

That is correct, that is subject to change though if those current imposed conditions are not met. I can't imagine a likely scenario in which they wouldn't be.

RE future councils, probably best discussed in the politics threads. Still a almost a year to go anything can happen I'll leave it at that here.

[officedweller]

VanCity Buzz posted a screenshot render of the interior atrium - looks like an art gallery or museum:

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Screen-shot-2013-09-24-at-1.12.29-PM.png
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/12/vancouver-approves-new-535-million-urban-casino-resort-at-bc-place/

[WarrenC12]

I'm going to go way out on a limb and suggest the finished product will look nothing like that. :koko:

[Vin]

I agree, it will be way better!

[Delirium]

there's a website for this project - www.site10a.com

i'm curious to see if the glass will be this reflective and silver in nature. some of those support beams from BC Place will be super close to the hotel on the left. btw, the hotels are going to be a JW Marriott and an Autograph Hotel.

http://www.site10a.com/content/30/aerial0408_960x633.jpg
photo credit www.site10a.com

http://www.site10a.com/content/30/aerial_View01_960x633.jpg
photo credit www.site10a.com

http://www.site10a.com/content/30/aerial0115_960x633.jpg
photo credit www.site10a.com

http://www.site10a.com/content/30/aerial_View02_960x633.jpg
photo credit www.site10a.com

[osirisboy]

Well I think it's a good time to start its own thread

[officedweller]

From CKNW:


Crews work to repair twinkly lights on BC Place

Vancouver, BC, Canada / (CKNW AM) AM980
Liza Yuzda
December 30, 2013 11:33 am

It’ll still be a few more months before the twinkly lights atop BC Place will sparkle again.

Darren Luce, president of CDM2 Lightworks, the company that supplies the speciality lighting and control systems at the stadium, says the lights on the cables running over the building had some problems, but they are working on a solution.

“(We’ll be) using the same manufacturer who supplied the facade system so it will all be one cohesive manufacturer supported by one support team. And that will be a solution that will retain the individual control of each point of light and use the existing mounting and wiring systems.”

Luce says the fix should be complete by March.

He says Pavco, the stadium’s operator, would have to comment on the cost. Calls to the group have not yet been returned.
http://www.cknw.com/2013/12/30/crews-work-to-repair-twinkly-lights-on-bc-place/

[djh]

From CKNW:

http://www.cknw.com/2013/12/30/crews-work-to-repair-twinkly-lights-on-bc-place/

What, so the new lights on the stadium lasted <3 years?

[Thousands Wouldn't]

Wow, I hope the hotel guests in the new Paragon development aren't disturbed by the lighting effects from the stadium at night.

[spm2013]

They invented a thing called curtains.

[officedweller]

Sounds like they've had problems with them since incpetion.
The ones in question are the twinkling ones on the guy wires holding up the masts. I don't see them on very often.

For the casino hotel, the tall tower closest to the stadium won't have any rooms facing the stadium (that side is hallways and elevator core). The short tower will have rooms facing the stadium, but it is a bit farther away.

[spm2013]

More details on the LED lights. The manufacturer in LA went bellyup and it sounds like they already replaced them once.

With apologies to Silver Bells composers Jay Livingston and Ray Evans:

B.C. Place Christmas 2013: roof cable lights out.

City street lights, not big-top lights, blink a bright red and green.

B.C. Place Stadium’s two-year-old set of 516 twinkly LED Beacon lights is dark this Christmas. It is not known when or if the roof cable lanterns will grace the Vancouver skyline again.

B.C. Pavilion Corporation CEO Dana Hayden didn’t respond to my request for comment. Spokeswoman Kate Hunter said via email: “we continue to work with the manufacturer to address the issue, which is covered under warranty.”

Bradley Hutchinson, president of original Los Angeles manufacturer En Group Inc., said the warranty on the lights expired in August. “It was a one-year warranty and then we extended it because we had dome some mixups on some issues we had, so we replaced them all,” Hutchinson told me.

What’s more, En Group is no longer. Hutchinson said he was “expecting a larger project to come to fruition about June of this year, that didn’t ultimately happen, so there was nothing on the horizon. It made more sense to close.”

“We made sure that CDM2 understood some of the internal information, the inside of luminaires so that they would know exactly how to go and replicate with respect to light level and light color and provide a consistency in terms of how the light would look when they needed a replacement light,” Hutchinson said.

CDM2 Lightworks of Vancouver was the project manager. Its president Darren Luce said his company “is currently working with PavCo on a replacement plan for the decorative cable lights. Any further comment regarding the details of that plan will need to come from PavCo.”

(Coincidentally, NPA Coun. Elizabeth Ball has interest in CDM2 via the holding company Lightscene Ventures Inc.)

http://bobmackin.ca/?p=1399

[djh]

More details on the LED lights. The manufacturer in LA went bellyup and it sounds like they already replaced them once.

“It was a one-year warranty and then we extended it because we had dome some mixups on some issues we had, so we replaced them all,” Hutchinson told me."

http://bobmackin.ca/?p=1399

Well, if your commercial-grade LED lights have a one-year warranty, no wonder your company went belly-up. They must sell pretty poor-quality product (no doubt dirt-cheap). But that sort of thing catches-up with you once the word gets out that your product fails after a year or two...

[officedweller]

BTW - the Northern Lights display looked awesome for the Contact Electronic Music Festival last week.
Nice change from the usual horizonal bands runnnig around the circumference.

HByzP1wnT_o

http://www.surreyleader.com/entertainment/237662761.html

Ny57Aui__PE

[AverageJoe]

Personally, I don't care for those twinkly lights. I think they look uber-tacky and detract from the rest of the beautiful stadium and lighting effects. It looks so much better this year than last.


From CKNW:

http://www.cknw.com/2013/12/30/crews-work-to-repair-twinkly-lights-on-bc-place/

[officedweller]

I also saw a video on Youtube where the cable lights radiated out in succession, rather than just twinkling. So if they can be programmed with the rest of the lights, it may add to the display.

[Spikester]

The Metrodome in Minneapolis had its air-supported roof deflated for the last time this morning. Unlike BC Place, this the first stage of its demolition and eventual replacement.

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10314340/metrodome-home-minnesota-vikings-deflated-last)

[Pinion]

The Metrodome in Minneapolis had its air-supported roof deflated for the last time this morning. Unlike BC Place, this the first stage of its demolition and eventual replacement.

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10314340/metrodome-home-minnesota-vikings-deflated-last)

Looks like the Vikings are paying for half of the $1 billion price tag for the new stadium and they're still having trouble coming up with the rest of the public money. Interesting how difficult it is for them when our government just magically made half a billion appear out of thin air.

Minnesota is preparing to sell nearly $500 million in bonds to cover the state’s share of the Vikings stadium facility.

It’s looking for financial institutions to buy the bonds for the stadium construction, which is scheduled to start in November.

The $498 million in loans will cover the State’s and the Minneapolis’ share of stadium construction.

The Vikings are putting up the rest of the $477 million for the project, which will total $975 million.

Taxpayers will be on the hook for $20 million to $30 million a year just to pay back the interest on the stadium loan.

That money was supposed to come from electronic pull tabs, which failed to produce the income necessary.

Now, there are two new taxes to fund the facility: A one day tax last July 1 on all of the cigarettes sitting on store shelves and warehouses, and a new tax on some of the out-of-state profits of Minnesota businesses.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/09/23/reality-check-cost-of-the-new-vikings-stadium/

[logan5]

Wasn't one of the reasons we kept the stadium was the cost to demo the stadium? I wonder what the cost to demo the Metrodome will be?

The government and Kerfoot could have combined their financial resources to build a spectacular waterfront stadium. Oh well.

[dleung]

Minnesota is preparing to sell nearly $500 million in bonds to cover the state’s share of the Vikings stadium facility.

It’s looking for financial institutions to buy the bonds for the stadium construction, which is scheduled to start in November.

The $498 million in loans will cover the State’s and the Minneapolis’ share of stadium construction.

The Vikings are putting up the rest of the $477 million for the project, which will total $975 million.

Taxpayers will be on the hook for $20 million to $30 million a year just to pay back the interest on the stadium loan.

That money was supposed to come from electronic pull tabs, which failed to produce the income necessary.

Now, there are two new taxes to fund the facility: A one day tax last July 1 on all of the cigarettes sitting on store shelves and warehouses, and a new tax on some of the out-of-state profits of Minnesota businesses.


They were expecting to fund the stadium by luring young trendy gamblers with techy devices no one else have ever used? And the back-up plan was "close loopholes in corporate taxes"? I've always believed that this dumb American stereotype was exaggerated, but am mistaken.

[WarrenC12]

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/09/23/reality-check-cost-of-the-new-vikings-stadium/

Interesting list of projects on that link. In the top 5, there's 1 road improvement (assuming that's what SW corridor means), 2 light rail lines, the stadium and the airport.

I wonder what BC's top 5 would look like... PMB? Canada Line? Sea to Sky? Convention Centre?

[spm2013]

Interesting list of projects on that link. In the top 5, there's 1 road improvement (assuming that's what SW corridor means), 2 light rail lines, the stadium and the airport.

I wonder what BC's top 5 would look like... PMB? Canada Line? Sea to Sky? Convention Centre?

BC Hydro's VCTT: $160-$201 million
http://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/vcct.html

Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Plant: $600 million
http://www.water-technology.net/projects/seymour-capilano/

PMH1 Project: $3.3 billion
http://www.pmh1project.com/info-centre/faq/Pages/Project-Cost-Timing.aspx

Sea-to-Sky: $600 million
http://www.hatchmott.com/projects/sea-sky-highway-improvement-project

Convention Centre Expansion: $883 million
http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Olympics2010/2009/04/03/convention-centre-expansion/

Compass: $194 million
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2013/10/09/compass-costs-23-million-more-than-expected

BC Place Refurbishment: $514 million
http://www.biv.com/article/20130104/BIV0109/130109976/-1/BIV/exclusive-bc-place-renovation-final-costs-were-five-times-original

Canada Line: $2 billion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Line

[Joat]

I guess there are no updates or upcoming dates for this project, right?

Also, does anyone have any info or knowledge of Kirk Lapointe/NPA's stance on casinos and gambling in Vancouver?

[WarrenC12]

I guess there are no updates or upcoming dates for this project, right?

Also, does anyone have any info or knowledge of Kirk Lapointe/NPA's stance on casinos and gambling in Vancouver?

I would guess they are waiting for One Pacific before moving on the casino.

If anybody is in the area, take a look at the proposed space for the casino, it appears a lot smaller in person.. should be interesting how it will all look. I imagine it will be very integrated with BC Place based on the room I can see available.

The sooner the current Edgewater/Plaza of Nations is re-developed the better. That place is a real eyesore and a big interruption to the seawall.

[sti88]

Isn't the casino planned to be completed for 2016? Which is the same time as the One Pacific. I'm confused on why no work has been started yet. I see road work's going on around One Pacific... not sure if that's related to the new casino.

Also, seeing how they will fit three towers and the size of that convention center/casino in that small space will be interesting.

[spm2013]

Isn't the casino planned to be completed for 2016? Which is the same time as the One Pacific. I'm confused on why no work has been started yet. I see road work's going on around One Pacific... not sure if that's related to the new casino.

Also, seeing how they will fit three towers and the size of that convention center/casino in that small space will be interesting.

Their permit at Edgewater was extended to December 31, 2016.

[WarrenC12]

Their permit at Edgewater was extended to December 31, 2016.

I guess that's optimistic in the sense that they should be fully operational in the new place by then. They wouldn't want to give up any days of active gaming.

[spm2013]

Well from Dundee's 2Q financial report released in August:

The Corporation and Paragon Gaming have entered into certain contracts pursuant to which entities jointly controlled by 360 VOX and Paragon Gaming will assume responsibility for the development, construction and management of the new complex. The Corporation and Paragon Gaming are currently in the process of raising project financing for the development.

So maybe they're still waiting on financing?

[Pinion]

Activity on the casino front

http://i.imgur.com/nIIJb3R.jpg
Metronews.ca

B.C. Place casino preparations underway

Vancouver city hall has quietly dealt Paragon Gaming a permit to undertake preliminary work for the controversial casino beside B.C. Place Stadium.

A permit was issued Sept. 17 to Paragon vice-president of planning John Cahill for site preparation, including excavation, shoring and remediation. Paragon spokesperson Tamara Hicks called the work “very preliminary.”

“(It is) to enable us to undertake some excavation work in a time frame that won’t compromise some major events planned for B.C. Place in the new year,” Hicks said. “It’s too early for us to comment any further as we have not yet received our building permit.” B.C. Place’s biggest 2015 event is the FIFA Women’s World Cup final on July 5.

Related:
Vancouver places (another) barrier to prohibit gambling expansion
Vancouver casino relocation wins preliminary approval
Health experts call on Vancouver to review casino plans
Paragon and its backer Dundee Corp. want to build the $535 million casino/hotel complex by 2016. On Dec. 16, 2013, the city’s Development Permit Board conditionally approved the project.

Said Mayor Gregor Robertson at the time: “Before a relocated casino can begin construction, the proponents have to come back with a plan that addresses the health concerns raised by (Provincial Medical Health Officer) Dr. Perry Kendall. If they don’t, it cannot proceed.”

City hall communications manager Tobin Postma said the permit allows Paragon to alter a portion of the B.C. Place concourse (near Gates G and F) and to construct temporary access to the stadium prior to excavation.

“An irrevocable letter of credit has been provided to secure the cost of backfilling the excavation and removing the shoring works in the event that the development permit is not issued,” Postma said via email.

Between Gates F and G is one of the stadium’s three external video boards. Minutes of a May 2012 stadium management committee meeting indicated the Cambie Bridge-facing board would be dismantled if the project proceeds.

More: http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/1161764/b-c-place-casino-preparations-underway/

[spm2013]

I wonder if they`ll vote on this prior to the November election :D

[Metro-One]

I hope they re-build that electronic billboard in a different location. A downtown Casino, hotel, and stadium complex with no video screens is pretty lame...

[GeeCee]

It might be best to start a new thread for the casino construction.

[Klazu]

It might be best to start a new thread for the casino construction.

I totally agree. Such a huge and high-profile project will warrant its own thread.

[Pinion]

I started one back in 2008 but it seemed even more outdated than this one :)

[nefc]

Casino construction update: http://www.site10a.com/community-info/2014/09/website-update

They're starting construction on the parkade, apparently. And they still expect it to be open by the end of 2016.

[osirisboy]

Nice to see construction start.

[Genauso]

There is temporary fencing around the western LED billboard, and the sign itself is turned off. Might be the beginning of deconstruction.

[SFUVancouver]

Just putting this out there: if nobody has dibs on the giant screen, I'll take it.

[spm2013]

Some road work around the Stadium too

Project: Terry Fox Way Project
Location: From Expo Boulevard to Pacific Boulevard

Start Date: 2013/10/15
Status: Road Closure
Description: This project is an expansion of Smith Street from Pacific Boulevard to Expo Boulevard. Road will be closed to all traffic starting October 15, 2013.

[Genauso]

The LED screen is half removed, it's made up of square panels. You can see the inside of the structure from the front for now, looks well made and hopefully easy to get most of the money back that was initially spent on it.

[Vancouver_Highrise]

The casino and JW Marriott will be completed by September 2016. The deal was signed last week. :cheers:

[Vanelevatorman]

Any idea whos going to be occupying the other hotel?

[spm2013]

They announced the second one as Autograph Collection Marriott, unless something has changed.

[Klazu]

Someone please start a new thread for this already. :) Good to see a 5-star J.W. Marriott coming in town. Is that their flagship or does Ritz-Carlton go above it? I would think they are equal flagship brands in their hotel portfolio.

[spm2013]

Someone please start a new thread for this already. :) Good to see a 5-star J.W. Marriott coming in town. Is that their flagship or does Ritz-Carlton go above it? I would think they are equal flagship brands in their hotel portfolio.

Seems about the same with more continental US Ritz-Calrtons and they also have their Bulgari partnership hotels.

[WarrenC12]

The casino and JW Marriott will be completed by September 2016. The deal was signed last week. :cheers:

That will be some super-fast construction if true. I'm excited to see it all happen.

[Prometheus]

According to the last published report, the casino has not yet received final clearance. The Development Permit Board issued a permit on the condition that the casino come-up with a plan regarding vague notions about gambling addiction and public health safeguards to the satisfaction of city council. Council was supposed to have decided on that issue in January 2014. To my knowledge, the city has still not signed-off. The current work is being done with a temporary permit which allows some limited preparatory work. In fact, in one of the news articles above, it even mentions that the casino had to put-up money to pay for the reversal of the work been done in case the city does not sign-off on the full permit.

But maybe someone has some news that the city has finally agreed that the casino has satisfied the DPB's unusual conditions.

[Jebby]

According to the last published report, the casino has not yet received final clearance. The Development Permit Board issued a permit on the condition that the casino come-up with a plan regarding vague notions about gambling addiction and public health safeguards to the satisfaction of city council. Council was supposed to have decided on that issue in January 2014. To my knowledge, the city has still not signed-off. The current work is being done with a temporary permit which allows some limited preparatory work. In fact, in one of the news articles above, it even mentions that the casino had to put-up money to pay for the reversal of the work been done in case the city does not sign-off on the full permit.

But maybe someone has some news that the city has finally agreed that the casino has satisfied the DPB's unusual conditions.

Does the casino actually need city approval, though? It's on provincial land.

[Vancouver_Highrise]

The second hotel will be the Autograph brand of the Marriott. The plan is to be open and operating on the September 2016 date(optimistic) but actually expect to be open December.. That's their logic/thinking.

[Jebby]

The second hotel will be the Autograph brand of the Marriott. The plan is to be open and operating on the September 2016 date(optimistic) but actually expect to be open December.. That's their logic/thinking.

Both those dates are very optimistic. It's almost 2015 and there has been no work done at all. It probably won't be fully excavated till halfway through 2015 and up to grade by the end of 2015. I can't see how they'd build all the floors as well as outfit the entire interior in just one year to be open by December 2016.

[officedweller]

Looks like a new rendering at the project website.

Copper seems to be the "in" colour?

http://www.site10a.com/template/urbanresort.jpg
http://www.site10a.com/


http://www.site10a.com/images/map_zoomedin2.jpg
http://www.site10a.com/whats-new/developments

[Klazu]

Thanks, officedweller. I finally started a separate thread for this: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=213941

[S.W.M.Design]

Copper seems to be the "in" colour?


Isn't it interesting how the original windows on BC Place where a copper colour and they were replace with blue... and now the new casino/hotel will be copper! It just shows how trends go full circle.

[Metro-One]

Wish our stadium / casino / hotel complex could have a couple LED screens. Seems like every other city in Canada has screens on their recent stadium related tower projects...

[WarrenC12]

Wish our stadium / casino / hotel complex could have a couple LED screens. Seems like every other city in Canada has screens on their recent stadium related tower projects...

The stadium had 3 giant screens. They already tore one down for where the casino is going.

The Terry Fox plaza screen is about 50% Terry Fox stuff and 50% ads. The rest are/were 100% ads... not sure why people want to see more ads. :shrug:

[Klazu]

Just for records few photos from Central rooftop.

http://vuosiamaailmalla.fi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/bc_place_centralista1.jpg

http://vuosiamaailmalla.fi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/bc_place_centralista2.jpg

http://vuosiamaailmalla.fi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/central_penthouse_panoraama1.jpg

http://vuosiamaailmalla.fi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/central_penthouse_panoraama2.jpg

[Locked In]

Great shots Klazu!

[Pinion]

NFL fans will know about this but I just stumbled into Minneapolis's new stadium. Their old one was an almost exact replica of BC Place, and they chose the "demolish and rebuild" route. I don't think there's any question who got the cooler stadium out of it in the end.

UguZc7F4P50

1jPDZVC1p9Y

http://i.imgur.com/Hpo6dA5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ufVtSVW.jpg

I wonder if the 2010 olympics weren't in play if we would have gone this route too. Of course we ended up missing that deadline anyway. :yuck:

[Metro-One]

I think we got the better deal. While nice from the inside, that stadium is pretty ugly from the outside IMO. It almost looks like a temporary structure in the last pic, almost a plaza of nations feel.

[esquire]

NFL fans will know about this but I just stumbled into Minneapolis's new stadium. Their old one was an almost exact replica of BC Place, and they chose the "demolish and rebuild" route. I don't think there's any question who got the cooler stadium out of it in the end.

I wonder if the 2010 olympics weren't in play if we would have gone this route too. Of course we ended up missing that deadline anyway. :yuck:

Quite a cost difference... BC Place's renos cost about C$500 million while US Bank Stadium cost C$1.5 billion. I'd argue Vancouver got pretty solid bang for the buck.

[Jebby]

Quite a cost difference... BC Place's renos cost about C$500 million while US Bank Stadium cost C$1.5 billion. I'd argue Vancouver got pretty solid bang for the buck.

I totally agree. It was a pretty good decision to go the renovation route instead of complete new build, which would have easily been north of $1 billion. I don't think BC Place could ever recoup that investment within the usable lifespan of the stadium.

[BobLoblawsLawBlog]

And BC Place looks massive. It looks like our very own coliseum, whereas Minneapolis's looks like a cardboard box was thrown onto the floor and broke.

[excel]

Also the fact that spending over a billion for a CFL/MLS stadium (with no corporate sponsorship) would be very questionable. Vikings play in the richest sports league in the world.

https://howmuch.net/articles/sports-leagues-by-revenue

[Jebby]

Also the fact that spending over a billion for a CFL/MLS stadium (with no corporate sponsorship) would be very questionable. Vikings play in the richest sports league in the world.

https://howmuch.net/articles/sports-leagues-by-revenue

And got a $200 million naming rights contract from US Bank.

[excel]

Yup that's why I mentioned the no corporate sponsorship for BC Place.

[Pinion]

Didn't they decline a Telus sponsorship?

[jollyburger]

Didn't they decline a Telus sponsorship?

$40 million for 20 years.

[Marshal]

This stadium offers some very good qualities to the fan experience: large openings/daylight/views to the city outside, large spatial volumes that are interesting in their scale alone, and lots of great standard stadium aspects . . . but none are architectural, and those that are part of the architectural design/manipulation/expression are terrible manifestations. I'd bet that it provides a great fan experience, but inside and out, the architecture is a total failure.

I like BC Place a lot, it came off way better than I expected. The only thing I wish it had, and US Bank does have, is the clear views of the city - if only our large ring of ETFE light display panels was able to turn completely clear: views of the city so close around it, and so much more light than even now. This would be great, BUT, as it is, it is already great.

[jollyburger]

The architects of US Bank Stadium are also designing new new stadium in LA:

http://www.hksinc.com/wp-content/uploads/LA-Stadium-Lake_Park_Perspective.jpg

http://www.hksinc.com/insight/kroenke-sports-entertainment-breaks-ground-on-hks-designed-l-a-stadium/

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

inside looks nice, outside looks like a large temporary warehouse. we got the better deal $$$ wise, and exterior design wise.

[WarrenC12]

Was that stadium built on the land that the old stadium used to occupy?

I'm so glad BC Place was renovated in place, instead of moved to Surrey or somewhere that land was available.

[Pinion]

Was that stadium built on the land that the old stadium used to occupy?

I'm so glad BC Place was renovated in place, instead of moved to Surrey or somewhere that land was available.

Yes, one of the videos is a timelapse showing demolition.

[officedweller]

The Minneapolis one looks hangar-like - pretty generic.

The front doors are very cool, though.

[mezzanine]

with taylor swift booking 3 nights in vancouver at the last minute as the last stop on her eras tour, i thought about the decision to upgrade BC place. It was controversial at the time to allot ~$500 million to renovate the stadium with little due process, but IMO it was a fortunate decision.

I would doubt that we would get the rugby 7s and have the 2015 FIFA WWC final here without the stadium and i wouldn't be surprised if BC place got higher profile games for FIFA WC 2026. We certainly wouldn't get that taylor swift money (https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/taylor-swift-eras-tour-toronto-economic-boost-1.6933122) without the upgrades

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

upgrading it was 100% worth it. i was just sad it couldn't be done in time for the Olympics. i went to the opening/closing ceremonies and they were amazing. but would have been even more amazing with the upgrades.

[NewfBC]

with taylor swift booking 3 nights in vancouver at the last minute as the last stop on her eras tour, i thought about the decision to upgrade BC place. It was controversial at the time to allot ~$500 million to renovate the stadium with little due process, but IMO it was a fortunate decision.

I would doubt that we would get the rugby 7s and have the 2015 FIFA WWC final here without the stadium and i wouldn't be surprised if BC place got higher profile games for FIFA WC 2026. We certainly wouldn't get that taylor swift money (https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/taylor-swift-eras-tour-toronto-economic-boost-1.6933122) without the upgrades

Taylor Swift... pfft! There was never any doubt she would pass up a 65k capacity stadium. 3 nights for now.. open for additional.

We recently had Coldplay perform 2 nights, Ed Sheeran broke a record for attendance in the building.

The upgrade definitely worth it. With major acts preferring stadium capacity now, BC Place is getting more use than ever.

Ron.

[WarrenC12]

I love BC Place and the renos were worth it. I wonder if they are actually turning a profit now? Somehow I still doubt it.

[cairnstone]

I love BC Place and the renos were worth it. I wonder if they are actually turning a profit now? Somehow I still doubt it.

I just hope they cover the costs of the half life upgrade loans. Never mind operating costs.

[WarrenC12]

I just hope they cover the costs of the half life upgrade loans. Never mind operating costs.

Probably not. Although the upgrade was supposed to reduce power usage significantly as well, with LED lighting and not needing to support the dome with air pressure.

They are under PavCo along with the Convention Centre and meant to generate a lot of economic activity, which they do. Always good to see BC Place occupancy though, the Lions and Whitecaps don't play enough to justify it unfortunately. 32-ish home games a year combined I think?

[MIPS]

lets hear a Go Gordo Go!

This aged like milk. :D

[LeftCoaster]

Well he did post it in 2010.

If any milk lasts 13 years I'd say that's not so bad.

[C3YVR]

Well he did post it in 2010.

If any milk lasts 13 years I'd say that's not so bad.

Oh the irony, didn't you post in 2010 that the CF rotunda was "immediately" about to be replaced? That only took a decade to start.

[LeftCoaster]

Well it was, there was an approved DP and everything, then the plans changed when Apple came around....

How is that irony?

[C3YVR]

a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result

To you and CF a decade may seem immediate, but to most others I doubt they would see it that way. I guess that's why the hotel replacement is taking so long. Most people would think the city is in immediate need of hotel rooms but to you and CF not so much.

[LeftCoaster]

You seem new here, so I guess this needs to be explained. Development is a long term investment and 10 years from ideation to occupancy is not necessarily a long time, especially when dealing with demanding tenants such as apple or particular jurisdictions such as the City of Vancouver... not to mention black swan events like Covid.

That being said, I still don't think you really understand the nuance of irony, something almost happening then not isn't irony, there needs to be a humorous turn to the expectation... not just plans changing in a complicated industry due to unforeseen influences. It's ok though, a lot of people have trouble with irony, it's a pretty esoteric concept.

Thanks for reminding me why I haven't been on this site since August though, good grief.

[jollyburger]

a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result

To you and CF a decade may seem immediate, but to most others I doubt they would see it that way. I guess that's why the hotel replacement is taking so long. Most people would think the city is in immediate need of hotel rooms but to you and CF not so much.

Go build a hotel if it's so easy.

[C3YVR]

I understand development takes time, I get that. I just wonder why someone who works for CF goes on a public forum and posts company business and uses terms like 'immediate' if they are not 100% sure of its accuracy. To be honest for the life of me I don't understand how a company like CF can tolerate/condone employees openly discuss it business. Inside knowledge is entertaining to hear but can be dangerous to expose.

[whatnext]

I understand development takes time, I get that. I just wonder why someone who works for CF goes on a public forum and posts company business and uses terms like 'immediate' if they are not 100% sure of its accuracy. To be honest for the life of me I don't understand how a company like CF can tolerate/condone employees openly discuss it business. Inside knowledge is entertaining to hear but can be dangerous to expose.

I’d say Leftcoaster is amazingly restrained and careful when commenting on CF business.

[LeftCoaster]

Who said I work for CF? :shrug:

Commenting on inside information is indeed dangerous. I have a lot of actual inside information that I sit on, if you go through my posts you'll notice I am very careful in what I post, because you're right, there is almost nothing to gain by posting inside info on this site. In fact more and more there is nothing to gain by posting anything on this site, inside or not, when this is the level of discourse.

All I did was say 13 years was a bit long to use the term "aged like milk"...

Aside from all of this, when did I say the rotunda was immediately to be replaced in 2010? I was going through the old threads and I can't find it anywhere. Not saying I didn't, but I sure can't find it.

[C3YVR]

It's okay I'll let it go, I have to admit I don't enjoy reading others bicker.
If you are okay with rewriting your past who am I to say what your story is.

[LeftCoaster]

Rewriting my past?

I simply asked for the post you referenced?

You're the one who initiated this entire discussion out of nowhere...

[WarrenC12]

It's okay I'll let it go, I have to admit I don't enjoy reading others bicker.
If you are okay with rewriting your past who am I to say what your story is.

You need to provide some receipts if you're slinging mud. Otherwise, politely refrain from making a mess of this thread. LeftCoaster is a long term contributor of quality content.

[Klazu]

BC Place is truly a building to be proud of. It's an iconic part of Vancouver and I am so happy they haven't compromised on LED lighting even as more residential has been built around it. I am also happy it has retained the BC Place name and didn't becone Telus-something.

[SpongeG]

So Vancouver is getting some of the FIFA games in 2026. As part of them, BC Place will be getting some upgrades and improvements, On the radio the minister in charge of sports or something mentioned some of what needs to be done, as part of their agreement with FIFA, etc, some of the things she mentioned were re-grading the ramps for wheelchairs as they are currently too steep, adding more elevators, apparently there are only two of them in the entire stadium as well as upgrading the VIP suites, and improving washrooms. Also, she mentioned the possibility of putting in a connection to the Parq Hotel. She said we will hear in the next few weeks more details as costs etc are looked into. But upgrades are needed and this is a great opportunity to do them and have them for many years to come after FIFA.

My question is maybe someone here knows, how would they connect it to Parq? is there an existing plan or idea for it that was never implemented?

[officedweller]

My question is maybe someone here knows, how would they connect it to Parq? is there an existing plan or idea for it that was never implemented?

Parq blocks the outdoor concourse - so iot might be as simple as cutting through walls.

From the Parq thread Posted Sept 29, 2017:


https://i.imgur.com/5C1g1zE.png
http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/committees/report-development-permit-board-39-smithe-street-DE417276-20131216.pdf

Sept.27 '17, my pics

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/923/wSfO9J.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnwSfO9Jj)

[MIPS]

Those fire exits go right onto the casino floor and between it and the stairs/escalator to the lower exit is the bar and card tables.