BC Place, the world's largest air-supported domed stadium was opened in 1983, holds more than 60,000 seats and is covered by fabric that is 1/30 inch thick but stronger than steel. The Stadium's state-of-the-art technology goes beyond the roof. The multi-functional venue has the capability to host a variety of events, including sports, trade and consumer shows, rock concerts, royal visits and football games. BC Place is also scheduled to be the Opening and Closing Ceremonies venue for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and Medals Ceremonies.
BC Place is the largest multi-use facility in British Columbia. The host to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the Opening Ceremonies for the Paralympic
Games, the building was conceived in 1980 to rejuvenate the False Creek area of downtown Vancouver.
Built in 1983, on time and on budget at $126 million, as a worldclass, multi-purpose facility, BC Place has a capacity to seat 60,000 and can be converted to an intimate space for 7,000 in just hours.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
More than two decades later, BC Place continues to provide the crucial link of bringing the province's events and spectators together, while fulfilling its mandate of economic generation. The Stadium averages over 200 event days per year. Beyond the invaluable community benefit of BC Lions football and events like the Vancouver Sun Run, the amount of economic activity generated by the venue by fiscal year end 2007 was nearly $58.1million. The Stadium is also responsible for employment of 685 (FTE) persons.
The top choice for business and industry for exhibition and spectator events, BC Place is host to the largest trade and consumer shows in the Province, as no other dedicated exhibition spaces exist. Although investment into and expansion of convention space will provide for a significant increase in floor space in Vancouver, BC Place remains the only venue for large public gathering and trade and consumer shows.
* BC Place is the world's largest air-supported domed stadium covering 10 acres in all, with a circumference of 760 metres (2,500 feet).
* There is enough concrete in BC Place to build a sidewalk from Vancouver to Tacoma, Washington.
* The roof is 10 acres of fibreglass woven fabric. There are two layers of fabric with a four foot space between them.
* The roof lets in 20% natural light. That's because the total thickness of each layer is only 1/30 inch (0.85 millimetres).
FAN SUPPORTED
They say we're supported by air...but we know it's the fans! The heartbeat of our building is the air-support system of the fans. It takes sixteen fans were used to inflate the roof...in less than one hour!
FACILITY FACTS
* It takes a work crew of approximately 15 roughly 12 Ð 16 hours to convert the Stadium from a consumer show to a football game. 1500 pieces off field turf stored in a moveable tray system are assembled like a jigsaw puzzle to complete the football field.
* The field turf, which was purchased from Montreal's Olympic Stadium in 2005, following the MLB Montreal Expos' move to Washington has a life expectancy of over 10 years.
* Our dressing rooms enjoy their own "wardrobe" changing for whatever celebrities they house: David Bowie converted his into a sushi bar. The Beach Boys brought in a beach complete with sand and a pool. The Rolling Stones installed a fountain.
* The facility floor has been turned into an ice rink, an Opera House and a forest.
* Features a fully-balanced public address sound system and over 200 closed circuit
television monitors.
* There is enough concrete in BC Place to build
a sidewalk from Vancouver to Tacoma,
Washington.
* Houses two media centres, each with a
capacity of 65 and equipped with full lounge
facilities.
* Ability to cater a party for up to 7,000 people.
* Circumference of 760 metres (2,500 feet).
* 50 revolving doors.
ROOF FACTS
* Largest air-supported dome in the world pressurized by 16 jet engine fans.
* First covered stadium in Canada.
* The roof is 10.25 acres of Teflon coated fiberglass consisting of 2 layers of fabric, 1/30
inch (0.85 millimetres) thick.
* 20% natural light let through by the roof is enhanced by 872 metal halide fixtures using
1,500 watt flood lamps.
OLYMPIC FACTS
* Home to the 2010 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
* Home to the 2010 Paralympic Opening Ceremonies.
* Host of nightly Victory Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Games.
VIDEO BOARD FACTS
* Mitsubishi Diamond Vision Mark III electronic videoboard.
* Allows for wide viewing angles and images of picture quality and colour to rival home
television.
* Screen dimensions: 6.72 metres (22 feet) by 12.16 metres (40 feet).
* Features flat matrix cathode ray tubes with a dot density of 2,500 dots/square metre.
* Over 150 feet of LED scoreboard and advertising panels added in 2007.
