BC Place Air-Supported Roof Comes Down Monday, May 3rd, 2010
May 4th, 2010
May 4, 2010
Vancouver, BC (May 4, 2010): The Honourable Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, and BC Pavilion Corporation Chair David Podmore officially launched the construction of a new retractable roof at BC Place today with the controlled deflation of the existing roof.
The 16 giant fans used to keep the building’s air-supported dome inflated were shut off, and the roof underwent a controlled deflation. Removal of the old roof will begin almost immediately.
“The dome of BC Place has been a landmark of the Vancouver skyline for a generation and today we begin work on the new roof and a new look for Vancouver and the province,” said Minister Krueger. “This project is an economic driver, creating thousands of jobs and it will create a new BC Place when complete.”
Almost 100 per cent of its 720,000 square feet of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) fabric and inner liner will be recycled, rather than going to a landfill. Following an inspection of the deflated roof, Burnaby-based Pacific Blasting and Demolition will remove the fabric and send it to a Minneapolis firm that specializes in recycling PTFE materials. There, it will be cut, patched, cleaned and repackaged for customer delivery. The other major component of the air supported roof, the steel cable system that has held the roof in shape since 1982, will be sent to ABC Recycling in Surrey, BC for recycling.
“We’re proud of the fact that the renovations here at BC Place will have as little environmental impact as possible,” said Podmore. “The fabric from the old roof will be cleaned and used again in products ranging from tarps and gym floor coverings, to ice rink liners. We even have part of it going to Celista, BC near Kamloops, so they can use it to line their ice rink, and are pleased that a small portion of fabric will be donated to the BC Sports Hall of Fame for use in an upcoming fundraising program, where the public will have an opportunity to have a piece of BC history.”
In October 2009, the Province of British Columbia and PavCo announced fixed-price contract between PavCo and PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. for a new retractable roof. The total cost of the roof replacement project is $458 million, including contingencies.
The roof project will create approximately 3,000 person-years of employment and increase the economic impact of the stadium from $60 million to $100 million in economic activity every single year. It will also extend the life of BC Place for an additional 40 years. The new roof will cut energy costs by one-quarter, $350,000 annually and a further $100,000 annually will be saved through operational savings.
BC Place is the largest sports, exhibition and entertainment venue of its kind in British Columbia, hosting the province’s most notable events, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Upon re-opening in 2011, BC Place will be the new home for the Vancouver MLS franchise, will continue to be home to the BC Lions Football Club, the 2011 Grey Cup and many other exhibitions, community and entertainment events.
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