I was just listening to Prat and his rambling about about changing the roof on BC place and the money it would cost. BC place has always been a white elephant and should be replaced. Any money tossed into that building is just flushing money down the crapper.
I am a Whitecaps fan--the white caps are talking about building their own arena down the line(date unknown)--Why should the provincial government shell out 300mill for a stadium that they will be out of in a few years. Seems to me, Pratt has been sucking too many cigars while playing that intense sport called poker.
When I lived in Vancouver I liked Pratt--but he has lost the plot. BC PLace is not worth the investment---tear it down and build a new stadium
what is your view
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Joy of being an oiler fan--watching the team play worse then AHL teams. Guess the oiler brass is already on the golf course
Instead of answering the poll (I don't have all the facts in front of me), I'd ask if the renovations of BCP would cost less than to tear it down and rebuild a brand new arena. If the answer is yes (and I don't see why not), than I'd rather see a renovation.
There's a lot of focus on the roof. That's understandable, but it shouldn't be forgotten that the plan also includes renovating the entire stadium. A retractable roof is just part of it.
And I thought it would be quite clear that even if the Waterfront stadium ever gets built, it will be soccer-specific. BCP will be needed to host Lions games.
I am a Whitecaps fan--the white caps are talking about building their own arena down the line(date unknown)--Why should the provincial government shell out 300mill for a stadium that they will be out of in a few years. Seems to me, Pratt has been sucking too many cigars while playing that intense sport called poker.
I don't really get this. First of all, it's highly unlikely the Whitecaps are going to be out of BC Place in a few years. The way our federal government runs it may take decades. Secondly, although the new roof played a role in getting an MLS franchise, it's not the main reason there are plans to get a new roof. The BC Lions would be a higher priority, as well as the many other events and conventions that are hosted by BC Place throughout the year.
I don't think you realize how much building a new stadium would actually cost. Tearing down the current BC Place would cost almost as much as rebuilding it, so we're looking at at least 1 billion dollars. Does that really sound like a good idea? If you want a new stadium, buy some land and front the bill yourself. Otherwise, just be hopeful we actually get a new roof.
As for Pratt, his point was never that poker is a sport. It's amazing how many people have an opinion on that "fight" without actually listening to the argument.
Kind of late to the party? This plan was announced in May 2008.
Quote:
Upgrades to BC Place will occur in two phases. Renovations to suites, seating, washrooms and concession stands, and enhancement of the existing roof liner will occur before the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. A new retractable roof will be put in place after the 2010 Games. Both phases are expected to go out to tender within five months, subject to design, completion of a business case and cost-benefit analysis and government approval.
...
A retractable roof by itself will cut energy costs for BC Place by one-third, $535,000 annually. A further $100,000 annually will be saved through operational savings. For example, the stadium will no longer need air-lock doors to support the roof.
The Whitecaps take on things at the time:
“We are looking forward to playing under the retractable roof at BC Place starting in 2011,” said Bob Lenarduzzi, president of Vancouver White caps FC. “We are confident that the planned renovations will make BC Place a more versatile venue, very suitable for soccer and a variety of other international calibre events. The move to BC Place will allow us to pursue the opportunity for an MSL franchise and will open up a host of additional opportunities that we are excited to bring to Vancouver.”
The Lions at the time:
“BC Place has been our home field for 25 years, so we’re thrilled with the plans to upgrade it and add a retractable roof,” said Bob Ackles, BC Lions president and CEO. “To be able to play outdoors under a retractable roof is going to make the whole experience even more enjoyable for our fans. As much as we enjoy playing under the dome, the chance to enjoy a game on a summer night will be very popular with our fans and players alike.”
VANCOUVER — The provincial government’s plan to fund a $365-million roof for BC Place Stadium has stalled and may even be cancelled, Global BC is reporting.
Construction on the downtown Vancouver stadium was expected to start soon after it serves as host for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and was part of a larger overhaul of the facility that was expected to be finished by the summer of 2011.
But a source told Global News on Tuesday that the roof replacement may no longer be a key government priority and it may be forced to pull its funding in the current economic climate. It means the project could face some serious delays or be cancelled altogether, the report said.
Would be logical to build a new outdoor facility. BC Place is just awful, not a good venue for CFL games during the summer, acoustics there are brutal. If they have to install the retractable roof, I hope they can at least downsize the end zones to allow more air circulation and perhaps enable us to get a better view of the north shore (see this pic).
The proposed waterfront stadium looked superb, whatever happened to that idea?
The Whitecaps take on things at the time:
“We are looking forward to playing under the retractable roof at BC Place starting in 2011,” said Bob Lenarduzzi, president of Vancouver White caps FC. “We are confident that the planned renovations will make BC Place a more versatile venue, very suitable for soccer and a variety of other international calibre events. The move to BC Place will allow us to pursue the opportunity for an MSL franchise and will open up a host of additional opportunities that we are excited to bring to Vancouver.”
The Lions at the time:
“BC Place has been our home field for 25 years, so we’re thrilled with the plans to upgrade it and add a retractable roof,” said Bob Ackles, BC Lions president and CEO. “To be able to play outdoors under a retractable roof is going to make the whole experience even more enjoyable for our fans. As much as we enjoy playing under the dome, the chance to enjoy a game on a summer night will be very popular with our fans and players alike.”
according to the team and another media outet--doing the renovations are now being questioned and may not go a head.
They had Bobby L from the caps and he was saying how the roof was a key part of them bidding for the MLS team for 2011 and without the renovations--they may not get the team.
Instead of answering the poll (I don't have all the facts in front of me), I'd ask if the renovations of BCP would cost less than to tear it down and rebuild a brand new arena. If the answer is yes (and I don't see why not), than I'd rather see a renovation.
There's a lot of focus on the roof. That's understandable, but it shouldn't be forgotten that the plan also includes renovating the entire stadium. A retractable roof is just part of it.
And I thought it would be quite clear that even if the Waterfront stadium ever gets built, it will be soccer-specific. BCP will be needed to host Lions games.
The first phase renovations were needed for the Olympics. ($65 million)
The proposed waterfront stadium looked superb, whatever happened to that idea?
The Port and Kerfoot are having a profound disagreement in the valuation of the land where the stadium would exist. Until there's a breakthrough (and who knows if there'll ever be one), there won't be a WF stadium.
The news of the roof possibly being cancelled is very disappointing, and hopefully it doesn't derail the MLS expansion (it shouldn't, but who knows). I maintain my preference for a WF stadium. BC Place is too big and cavernous for the WhiteCaps, and even though the turf is FIFA approved, the players universally detest it.
Gay..wish we got a brand new stadium and lured an MLB team here... BC is the only part of Canada that cares about Baseball.. I think it would work.
No it wouldn't
a few years ago when one of the US teams was consider relocating that spent a few bucks investigating whether or not Vancouver could support a tea, This was before montrel left and toronto hit the skids and the answer was no.
The Port and Kerfoot are having a profound disagreement in the valuation of the land where the stadium would exist. Until there's a breakthrough (and who knows if there'll ever be one), there won't be a WF stadium.
Kerfoot wanted them to hand it over for a song so he could build a stadium on a piece of it, and build condos and hotels on the rest to subsidize the stadium costs.
The Port seems to think that if the land is going to be zoned for residential use, then it's worth a heck of a lot more (it is). Of course, without the stadium being built the city has little incentive to approve the condominiums.
To complicate things, there isn't the transportation capacity in the area to support a stadium. Think finding parking at Canucks games is bad? Try finding parking in Gastown before a game on a weekday. Most of the existing parking will be still full with the business crowd.
In short, it seems like a consensus has been reached that the logistics just aren't going to come together at that location. It's too bad, since I'd like to see a soccer stadium as much as the next fan, but the locations near high speed transit with adequate parking are filling up. They might want to look in the Terminal Ave area...
That sucks. But kind of understandable. Hard to spend money on stadiums when education and health care is being cut. Until the price of natural gas goes up again (if it does), BC's budget is going to be mighty tight.
Hopefully this does not affect funding for the new art gallery too... after spending almost a billion on that conference center ($400m over budget). But hey, it has a grass roof!
To complicate things, there isn't the transportation capacity in the area to support a stadium. Think finding parking at Canucks games is bad? Try finding parking in Gastown before a game on a weekday. Most of the existing parking will be still full with the business crowd.
In short, it seems like a consensus has been reached that the logistics just aren't going to come together at that location. It's too bad, since I'd like to see a soccer stadium as much as the next fan, but the locations near high speed transit with adequate parking are filling up. They might want to look in the Terminal Ave area...
We've been over this before. The stadium would be minutes' walk away from the skytrain lines and buses. It makes infinitely more sense for WhiteCap fans to use public transit than to drive down, be greeted with gridlock, and find no parking space. This notion that people's love affair with their cars is so strong that it would keep them from using public transportation has no bearings on reality.
Hell, just look at European stadiums that are located in the middle of a city, like Stamford Bridge (Chelsea, London). There's hardly any parking there, but 40k fans get to the stadium just fine.
Last edited by *Injektilo: 08-26-2009 at 09:41 PM.
Reason: Exaggerated #
That sucks. But kind of understandable. Hard to spend money on stadiums when education and health care is being cut. Until the price of natural gas goes up again (if it does), BC's budget is going to be mighty tight.
Hopefully this does not affect funding for the new art gallery too... after spending almost a billion on that conference center ($400m over budget). But hey, it has a grass roof!
Vital necessities however we are still building the SFPR and Port Mann Bridge. = 3.4 bil.
Toronto is a city of what? Six million?... they regularly get 15 thousand people a game which is just terrible.
1) TO's population is 2.5M. If you want to count people from Ajax or Vaughan as part of Toronto's population, knock yourself out, but I don't think anyone is willing to commute for 2-3 hours to get to a game.
2) The Jays suck, and have the unfortunate fate of being in the same division as the 2 most highest spending franchises in the MLB.
3) I see no indication why Vancouver would fare any better in attendance in the situation the Toronto franchise is in.
We've been over this before. The stadium would be minutes' walk away from the skytrain lines and buses. It makes infinitely more sense for WhiteCap fans to use public transit than to drive down, be greeted with gridlock, and find no parking space. This notion that people's love affair with their cars is so strong that it would keep them from using public transportation has no bearings on reality.
Hell, just look at European stadiums that are located in the middle of a city, like Stamford Bridge (Chelsea, London). There's hardly any parking there, but 40k fans get to the stadium just fine.
You are living in a dream world if you think people will leave their cars behind.
You are living in a dream world if you think people will leave their cars behind.
And London's subway >>>>>>>>>>> Vancouver's.
No, you're living in a dream world if you think people would stubbornly refuse to use reliable, quick public transportation to go to a soccer game, just because they like to use their cars. It's completely non-sensical.
London's subway system is appropriate for a city of its size, and Vancouver's system, now that it has the Canada line, is similarly appropriate.
If the public knew how much money was being put into the temporary fix for the olympics, people would be going absolutely bonkers. It rhymes with bun fundred and mifty million. Then post olympics, its torn down, weeeeee!
No, you're living in a dream world if you think people would stubbornly refuse to use reliable, quick public transportation to go to a soccer game, just because they like to use their cars. It's completely non-sensical.
London's subway system is appropriate for a city of its size, and Vancouver's system, now that it has the Canada line, is similarly appropriate.
haha. that's a good one. the sky train doesn't extend to enough places for people to take it to the games.
They'd have to do the park & ride. Yeah, not going to happen.
London's subway system can move a large percentage of the people to the places they actually live, far more than in Vancouver.
Want to stop people from driving into Vancouver? Make them pay $15, like they do in... London.
If the public knew how much money was being put into the temporary fix for the olympics, people would be going absolutely bonkers. It rhymes with bun fundred and mifty million. Then post olympics, its torn down, weeeeee!
heh.
That's not to mention that the auditor found that a large percentage of the $400m cost overrun for the convention center was because they sped up to construction to make the Olympics.
