Negotiations with companies hoping to build the new retractable roof at B.C. Place Stadium are taking longer than expected.

But B.C. Pavilion Corporation CEO Warren Buckley said roof tendering has been delayed to September, but it won't impact the post-Olympic part of the $365 million project.

"The prices that were tendered were good for so many days and we asked them to extend it for 30 days as we continued to negotiate," Buckley said. "The construction schedule is still in place."

He said the process has been complicated by more than 40 bids submitted. Some companies are joint ventures offering a package of steel, cabling and fabric.

Meanwhile, Buckley said negotiations are underway with a preferred bidder for a long-term lease to develop land to the west of the stadium. Buckley said the offer was good but "reflective of a down market." He declined to name the company or discuss the offer.

"If you take it over time, it's certainly more than acceptable," he said.

Bob Mackin reports for Vancouver 24 hours