New Playing Surface for BC Place Stadium
March 27th, 2015
Vancouver, BC. Following a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process, PavCo has entered into an agreement with Centaur Products Inc, a Burnaby BC based supplier of Polytan GmbH - a globally recognized producer of world-class synthetic turf - to supply and install a new, upgraded playing surface at BC Place.
The upgraded multi-purpose turf will be used throughout the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, 2016 World Rugby Seven Series, as well as for the home teams BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and other professional and community sports at BC Place. The installation of the new surface is scheduled to take place during the second half of May 2015.
Key Facts:
• BC Place is a best-in-class facility that has an ambitious future on the world sport stage hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ and the 2016 World Rugby Seven Series.
• Four bids were received in response to a detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) posted February 25, 2015 on the BC Bid website.
• The chosen Centaur/Polytan turf is certified to meet both FIFA 2-Star and World Rugby Regulation 22 specifications as tested on the existing elastic layer at BC Place. The new turf provides superior standards for world class sport, playability and performance, player safety and health, maintenance and warranties, safety and environmental standards, as well as cost and value.
• The specific product chosen is LigaTurf RS+CoolPlus World Cup Edition 260 W ACS 90 Bionic Fibre Infill.
• The upgraded turf will be a unique dual tone green, designed by Polytan for exceptional HD broadcast presentation.
The current Polytan turf at BC Place was scheduled for replacement in 2016. As a result of financial contributions from Canada Soccer and Rugby Canada however, the turf is being replaced sooner. The funding partnership comprises of $827,000 contributed by PavCo, with the balance of $500,000 funded by Canada Soccer and Rugby Canada. The total cost for the upgrade is $1,327,000 CDN.
The existing playing surface, once removed, will be thoroughly assessed for recycling and suitability for alternate uses.
Quotes:
Honourable Todd Stone, Minster of Transportation and Infrastructure
“The economic activity that this will generate is substantial and new turf is an investment that will benefit not only rugby and soccer, but our own home teams. We’re very excited to welcome FIFA Women’s World Cup this June and the World Rugby Sevens in 2016. It’s a fantastic opportunity for BC Place and the people of B.C.”
Graham Ramsay, Director, Sales and Marketing, BC Place
“Confirmation of an upgraded playing surface is a huge win for BC Place. The unique partnership opportunity allowed the turf upgrade earlier than anticipated, ensuring we have a state of the art venue for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, the World Rugby Sevens Series in 2016, and our home teams, the BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.”
Victor Montagliani, President of Canada Soccer and Chair of the National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™
“We are pleased that PavCo is partnering with Canada Soccer to upgrade the field before the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™. We know that the new surface will ensure that the highest quality turf is available for the participating nations in the tournament. We cannot wait for the first match to kick off at BC Place on June 8 and look forward to the Final match on July 5 when the world will be watching the best women’s soccer players compete for the Winner’s Trophy.”
Graham Brown, CEO, Rugby Canada
“The new turf is perfect for what we need in a state-of-the-art facility holding a world class event. The improved playing surface is sure to be a hit with all players involved in international rugby. Rugby Canada felt strongly about contributing financially towards replacing the turf at BC Place. We are confident that this is a worthwhile investment and will enable Canada to host further Rugby Internationals in Vancouver in the years to come”.
Dennis Skulsky, President, BC Lions Football Club
“BC Place remains an outstanding facility for our team as we prepare for the upcoming season. The new state of the art turf ensures that the stadium remains the number one facility in the CFL for the future.”
Bob Lenarduzzi, President, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
“Vancouver Whitecaps FC are proud to call BC Place home, and are tremendously excited about the upgraded playing surface that will be installed this May. The addition of the new Polytan turf proves that Vancouver is a world-class soccer city and we look forward to hosting our first match on the new pitch.”
Jim Grozdanich, Centaur Products, Polytan
“As a world leader in sport surfacing and sport facility construction for more than 40 years, Centaur is the exclusive Canadian Supplier of Polytan, a FIFA Preferred Producer of the highest-quality synthetic turf systems. Centaur is excited to have been selected once again to provide BC Place with a high-quality playing surface for their professional sports teams and other world-class sporting events. Our extensive experience in supplying sport facilities around the world with elite playing surfaces will make BC Place one of the best synthetic turf fields in the world.”
About PavCo
B.C. Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) is a Provincial Crown Corporation of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. PavCo performs on its mandate of generating economic and community benefit for the people of BC through the prudent management of two world-class public facilities located in downtown Vancouver: the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place.
About BC Place
BC Place Stadium is the largest multipurpose venue of its kind in the province of British Columbia. An architectural signature for the province, BC Place hosts sport, exhibitions, entertainment and special events on a year-round calendar. BC Place is proud to be home to the BC Lions Football Club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Media Contact:
Eddie Tabakman
Laura Ballance Media Group
604.637.6664 (direct)
604.306.0875 (mobile)
etabakman@lbmg.ca
Colin Wong
Laura Ballance Media Group
604.637.6649 (direct)
604.762.2098 (mobile)
cwong@lbmg.ca