Vancouver council approves revitalization for False Creek and BC Place

Vancouver City Council has approved plans to revitalize the waterfront along False Creek, including replacing the 1980s-era retractable roof on BC Place. With a capacity of 60,000 people, the stadium is home to the B.C Lions football team, and it will be the site for the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler. However, the replacement roof won’t be built until after the 2010 Winter Olympics.
In January the stadium’s existing air-supported fabric roof tore under the weight of snow and was deflated. The stadium was built in 1983.
The plans approved by the city council also include a new art gallery on the waterfront, adjacent to the stadium. The Vancouver Art Gallery, now in the old courthouse downtown on Robson Square, would relocate to the new building. As well the plans include 130,000 square metres of residential, retail and office space.
BC Pavilion Corporation, also called PavCo, is the provincial crown corporation that is promoting the revitalization projects. Besides BC Place, the agency is also responsible for the Vancouver Convention Centre and its expansion. PavCO will raise revenue from the new housing and other developments on False Creek to pay for the stadium’s retractable roof.