During his 2008 “State of the City” address in January, Mayor Sam Sullivan identified a number of priorities for the coming year. One of the most important was to secure the future of BC Place Stadium for generations to come. Shortly after that speech, Vancouver Council approved a comprehensive plan – and today the next major step was announced.
Mayor Sullivan joined Premier Campbell and other community leaders at BC Place this morning to unveil plans for a major renovation of the Stadium – including construction of a retractable roof after 2010. The proposal will:
- expand the city’s sport, culture & entertainment district
- feature a new home for the Vancouver Whitecaps
- provide a waterfront site for a new Vancouver Art Gallery
Renovations to suites, seating, washrooms, concession stands and enhancement of the existing roof liner will occur before the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Vancouver Whitecaps will start playing at BC Place in the summer of 2011 – providing the team with an opportunity to apply for a Major League Soccer franchise.
As part of the bigger vision for this part of downtown, the City of Vancouver has been working with PavCo, the Vancouver Art Gallery and Canadian Metropolitan Properties to move the Art Gallery from its current location to False Creek. In return for future development considerations on its False Creek property, Canadian Metropolitan Properties is providing the Vancouver Art Gallery with a waterfront site for its new 320,000 square-foot facility. The Province has already contributed $50 million towards the new gallery.
Development and the sale – or lease – of lands around BC Place are expected to generate more than $100 million towards the cost of the new roof and upgrades. Additional revenues will come from new sponsorships and expanded business opportunities.
