runningback33 Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 (edited) https://www.sportsnet.ca/fifa-world-cup/article/b-c-government-says-stadium-upgrades-needed-to-bring-in-high-profile-events/ VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s provincial government is pitching repairs to B.C. Place for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup as much needed and a way for the venue to hold more events in the future, but isn’t able to give a specific figure about what the needed renovations could cost. The B.C. Pavilion Corp., the Crown corporation that operates the publicly owned stadium, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to hire a consultant for the work. It underwent a previous $514 million renovation in 2011, which satisfied hosting duties for the 2015 Women’s World Cup final. Tourism and sports minister Lana Popham said in an interview that the repairs would help bring high profile acts to the venue. “B.C. Place is a huge attraction, a huge facility for the province and we see events coming here just because of its size. So if we had anything smaller, we wouldn’t have been able to attract Taylor Swift, for example,” she said. “Those upgrades are needed.” PavCo’s RFP for a construction manager indicates B.C. Place, which turned 40 this year, will need more VIP suites and hospitality space on the stadium’s third level, an upgrade to food-court concessions, renovation of washrooms and installation of more elevators. The work will also help improve accessibility, said Popham. “I’m really looking forward to having a further discussion with B.C. Place around the accessibility because obviously the reason why they’re wanting to upgrade the accessibility features is probably to attract different kinds of events,” she said. “And we know that Invictus Games is coming in 2024 and that is all about accessibility.” The renovations will also include a walkway connecting the stadium to Parq Vancouver hotel and casino. The construction manager will need to have completed one project of $50 million or greater in construction value as construction manager within the past 10 years; have completed three additional projects of $10 million or greater in construction value as construction manager within the past 10 years; among other requirements. PavCo bills the stadium as a significant structure in the province. “B.C. Place is an architectural signature for the province and is the largest sports, exhibition, and entertainment venue of its kind in British Columbia,” the RFP says. “All upgrades and renovations under consideration are either requirements from FIFA or accessibility upgrades necessary to meet new benchmarks set in relation to the Accessible British Columbia Act,” said Jenny McKenzie, B.C. Place’s senior manager of marketing and communications, in a statement. “PavCo is working closely with FIFA and other partners to determine what the essential needs are and balancing those requests with prudent fiscal management.” The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico with matches held in select host cities across North America. It’s not yet known how many games B.C. Place will host. In 2022, the government estimated that it could cost $240 million to $260 million to host the World Cup in Vancouver, with hosting expected to bring in more than $1 billion in new revenue to B.C.’s tourism sector during the tournament and in the five years following, depending on the number of matches played in Vancouver. Edited December 22, 2023 by runningback33 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Long Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 The NDP will host FIFA but won't support a First Nations-led Olympics 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Elias Pettersson Posted December 22, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 22, 2023 So the $500 million roof and concourse upgrades weren't enough? 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 8 minutes ago, Bob Long said: The NDP will host FIFA but won't support a First Nations-led Olympics Olympics- been there done that. But I don't recall the provincial government saying they would block the First Nation governments from putting it on themselves?--- and iirc that was with a different premier?--which kind of raises the question as to how much longer will we have a Premier that wasn't not elected into the job. Seems to me there should be a rule/law with a time limit. And not just because Eby is apparently going through money at a prodigious rate. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Long Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 17 minutes ago, Gurn said: Olympics- been there done that. But I don't recall the provincial government saying they would block the First Nation governments from putting it on themselves?--- and iirc that was with a different premier?--which kind of raises the question as to how much longer will we have a Premier that wasn't not elected into the job. Seems to me there should be a rule/law with a time limit. And not just because Eby is apparently going through money at a prodigious rate. it was a no-brainer from a reconciliation and risk pov. Baffles me that they whiffed on it. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ghostsof1915 Posted December 22, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 22, 2023 Should have demolished BC Place Stadium, put in a Stadium with natural grass and a retractable roof. They were able to do that in Japan and South Korea. Probably would have cost the same if not less. 1 1 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runningback33 Posted December 23, 2023 Author Share Posted December 23, 2023 So I must be living under a rock, some outlets have this as news today but looks like other articles came out a week or two ago… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Ghostsof1915 said: Should have demolished BC Place Stadium, put in a Stadium with natural grass and a retractable roof. They were able to do that in Japan and South Korea. Probably would have cost the same if not less. Didn't the "NIMBY's" in downtown Vancouver veto that idea (build a new stadium there)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 27 minutes ago, NewbieCanuckFan said: Didn't the "NIMBY's" in downtown Vancouver veto that idea (build a new stadium there)? Nimby's and the Federal government's department of Ports/harbours. The main issue was the stadium was going to be built overtop of a number of rail lines going into/out of the area, and those trains carry a lot of Dangerous goods. They just couldn't agree to delay trains on game nights, and would not allow the games while d/g ran under them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Long Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 4 minutes ago, Gurn said: Nimby's and the Federal government's department of Ports/harbours. The main issue was the stadium was going to be built overtop of a number of rail lines going into/out of the area, and those trains carry a lot of Dangerous goods. They just couldn't agree to delay trains on game nights, and would not allow the games while d/g ran under them. Not a lot of nimbys adjacent tho really just around Beatty and a sliver of yaletown. The rail part sounds accurate tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 18 minutes ago, Bob Long said: Not a lot of nimbys adjacent tho really just around Beatty and a sliver of yaletown. The rail part sounds accurate tho. I believe for some reason the retailers around Gastown were upset, guess they thought there would be too many hooligans roaming around after the game-rather than thinking "Hey 15-20 thousand extra customers." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Korea Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 3 hours ago, Elias Pettersson said: So the $500 million roof and concourse upgrades weren't enough? If it's good enough for Taylor Swift it should be good enough for everyone else 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 30 minutes ago, Gurn said: Nimby's and the Federal government's department of Ports/harbours. The main issue was the stadium was going to be built overtop of a number of rail lines going into/out of the area, and those trains carry a lot of Dangerous goods. They just couldn't agree to delay trains on game nights, and would not allow the games while d/g ran under them. Wasn't it more of the residents near Gastown, worried about hooligans? I thought the train issue was no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 1 minute ago, Miss Korea said: If it's good enough for Taylor Swift it should be good enough for everyone else Taylor Swift. Construction Engineer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 2 minutes ago, Ghostsof1915 said: Wasn't it more of the residents near Gastown, worried about hooligans? I thought the train issue was no problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 3 hours ago, Elias Pettersson said: So the $500 million roof and concourse upgrades weren't enough? Yup. Waste of 500 million. Could have had a fantastic, dual purpose (football and soccer) stadium on the waterfront for less cost to the taxpayers. BC place should have been replaced long ago. It’s a sh*t hole. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ribs Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishopshodan Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 I remember them turning down $50 mil from Telus because the name BC Place is apparently Iconic. hmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Pettersson Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 2 hours ago, Alflives said: Yup. Waste of 500 million. Could have had a fantastic, dual purpose (football and soccer) stadium on the waterfront for less cost to the taxpayers. BC place should have been replaced long ago. It’s a sh*t hole. Didn't they have that guy who was willing to buy the Lions and also the land on the waterfront and build the stadium with his own money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Pettersson Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 2 hours ago, bishopshodan said: I remember them turning down $50 mil from Telus because the name BC Place is apparently Iconic. hmm. I think the issue with Telus was that Bell was the sponsor for the Whitecaps and Bell threatened to pull the sponsorship if they changed the name to Telus Place. Ironically, Bell is now out and Telus is the new sponsor for the Whitecaps. They should revisit the name change now... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lock Posted December 30, 2023 Share Posted December 30, 2023 Why is it the government that needs to say these things rather than like... I don't know... the engineers and BC Place itself? Am I the only one finding that It's really hard not to think there's some ulterior motive with this? That being said, perhaps they have been more up front about this than I realise and I didn't look hard enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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