A week before the biggest event in B.C. Place Stadium’s history, workers received pink slips.

“All part-time and event-time employees will be affected by this closure. Therefore, approximately 380 will be laid-off effective April 7,” said a Feb. 1 internal memo from B.C. Pavilion Corporation business administration director Bob Starkey.

The site of the 2010 Winter Olympics’ Feb. 12 opening ceremony will close for 18 months because of the installation of a $458-million retractable roof. Workers were told that they would retain their seniority rights under their collective bargaining agreement.

The B.C. Lions will play their home games in 2010 and part of 2011 at a temporary stadium on the east Vancouver site of Empire Stadium, which was demolished in 1992.

Bob Mackin reports for 24 Hours Vancouver.