Owners of BC Place stadium have confirmed that they are planning major upgrades to the facility, including a new retractable roof (see FA “Samples,” May/June, pg. 6.) However, the new roof won’t be completed in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics that will be held in Vancouver, although opening and closing ceremonies will be held in the stadium. The $4 million project will include renovations to suites, seating, washrooms and concession stands, with the bulk of the money going toward improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
Renovation work will improve operations and includes green sustainable technologies such as PV cells to generate electricity, geothermal heating and cooling and the retractable roof, itself expected to cut energy costs by one third.