BC Place stadium will finally get its retractable roof - at a cost of $458 million.
The B.C. government today announced a fixed-priced contract to replace the existing air-suspended dome on the 26-year-old stadium.
The fixed-price deal with PCL Constructors Canada Inc. will see work begin after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, which will use the downtown Vancouver stadium as the venue for opening and closing ceremonies.
Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of 2011, in time to host the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup championship game.
The government says the final budget is based on a competitive bidding process and will create jobs.
BC Place's aging fabric roof ripped and collapsed under the weight of a heavy snow storm in 2007, reviving calls to replace the stadium or give it a retractable roof to make it attractive for a wider variety of events.
For the latest from The Canadian Press, scroll down The Tyee's home page or click here.
9
Login or register to post comments
Ramona777
2 years ago
Where Is The $$$$$ Coming From??
Can someone out there explain where this government can find millions for a roof but not for crucial health care items or environmental enforcement? Another case of bread and circuses. Given Carole James and her party's very flaccid criticisms of bloated Olympic spending, can she finally throw some heavy hits about this??
circle A
2 years ago
To quote a hockey legend...
She "couldn`t put the puck in the ocean if she were standing on the dock"
DPL
2 years ago
The person thorwing away BC
The person thorwing away BC citizens money isn't the Opposition Leader it's Saint Gordo the first. and hopefully the last.If the sports guys want a stadium let them go build their own. Using their money not mine
Troy Pratt
2 years ago
is ther no end to his arrogance
There is not enough money for schools or health care, but Gordon Campbell can write yet another Olympic cheque, this time for an incredible $485 million dollars, to cover the cost of BC Place roof repair. Some really skewed priorities I must say.
crankypants
2 years ago
Throwing good money after bad
This is an insane idea. It's like putting a fresh coat of paint on a rusty car without doing the proper bodywork and primering first. BC Place was designed to support the type of roof it has. It also doesn't have the proper drainage to be exposed to the elements. There are times when a retractable roof cannot be closed quick enough should a rogue storm hit. Add to this that being inside this building makes one feel as if they are in a dungeon, and my conclusion is that this is just a big waste of money. Minnesota, who has a similar stadium, is levelling their this year.
They would be best to level this building and build a new one which would seat about 40,000 people. Another option would be for the government to sell the land to Greg Kerfoot and/or David Braley and let him/them build a new stadium that would fit their needs. Mr. Kerfoot tried to build a soccer stadium on the waterfront but ran into difficulties with the port authority, so I'm sure he has the necessary capital to undertake such a venture. I assume Mr. Braley is in the same situation.
Trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear is the wrong way to go.
Jeffrey J.
2 years ago
Going from Bad to Worse
This kind of decision indicates the Campbell Liberal regime is thundering straight off a cliff. They appear to have lost all sense of BC's economic plight, our homeless, our sick, our poor. A new low-water mark for this administration.
happy
2 years ago
Don't bother waiting for the NDP
They support replacing the roof. Just like they support the Olympics.
Of course they would do it "differently" somehow that would make it all good. Yup.
The Blackbird
2 years ago
Half-a-million for a new stadium room ...
while thousands throughout the province sleep without roofs over their heads each night.
Fiat lux
2 years ago
I'd bet odds that after the
I'd bet odds that after the roof is replaced, the place will be sold to "foreign investors", most likely for worthless US Dollars, to make it sure it not be reclaimed by the public again.
Before Campbell is finished, there won't be much left of BC under public control and ownership.
Ed Deak.