All posts tagged with: BC Place

International elite athletes, recreational runners, joggers, walkers, wheelchair races, corporate teams, schools and kids are all getting ready for one of the largest 10km road races in Canada, The Vancouver Sun Run.

The Vancouver Sun Run has become one of the biggest spring traditions in Vancouver. Close to 50,000 participants will come together to celebrate healthy living, fitness, and community spirit.

The 2013 Sun Run is Sunday, April 21, getting underway at 9 a.m. in downtown Vancouver.  Individual registrations are being accepted until the final registration deadline, Saturday, April 20. Participants can save by registering online by midnight, Tuesday, April 16 ($48.37), or register at the Sun Run Fair ($60.00). There are currently over 43,000 registered participants.

Race package pick-up and the Sun Run Fair will be held a BC Place. Race packages include race bib, timing chip, and a souvenir 100% cotton t-shirt featuring artwork by Vancouver artist, Tiko Kerr.

• Thursday, April 18: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
• Friday, April 19: 10:00am – 7:00pm
• Saturday, April 20: 10:00am – 5:00pm

In 2012, the first place finisher was Kelly Weibe of Regina, Saskatchewan, with a time of 29:12, winning the Men’s Overall Division and Top Male Canadian. Second place finisher was Kip Kangogo of Kenya, in at 29:14.

The Vancouver Sun Run starts at 9:00am on Sunday, April 21 on West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver. It is the third largest 10km race in North America.

Eight time Juno and four time Grammy award winning, Canadian, LGBT music legend, KD Lang, is on a summer long tour, with dozens of stops in three countries. The singer, song writer and actress was recently in Vancouver with her band, Siss, Boom, Bang.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Kathryn Dawn Lang grew up on the praries. She went on to collage at Red Deer College, where she was inspired to persue her love of music. Throughout her music career she has been inspired by Patsy Cline and fellow Canadian folk music icon, Anne Murray.

In addition to her Grammy and Juno awards, KD Lang has also won Female Vocalist of the Year awards in 1988 and 1989, and was the 4-time consecutive winner of Entertainer of the Year from the Canadian Country Music Association.

KD Lang performed Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, live at the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. at BC Place. Just four months later, in May 2010, KD Lang filled in last minute on the Logie Awards show in Australia for Susan Boyle, singing the same song. More recently she performed You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, on the Christmas episode of Glee.

KD Lang came out in 1992 in an article published in LGBT magazine, The Advocate. She has been a strong supporter of HIV/AIDS care and research and in 2011 was inducted into the Q Hall of Fame Canada for her work of equality and rights for people around the world. She was also featured in the now famous ‘Coming Out’ episode of Ellen.

In 2008, KD Lang entered into a domestic partnership with her girlfriend of five years, Jamie Prince. They were separated at the end of 2011.

KD Lang is currently on tour in Australia, and will be touring across the United States in August and then in Canada in September.

LA Galaxy’s David Beckham at BC Place vs the Vancouver White Caps.

On Wednesday, July 18, BC Place was a sell-out for the LA Galaxy vs Vancouver White Caps MLS soccer match. White Caps soccer matches typically have a great turnout, but Vancouverites game out to get a glimpse of the European soccer legend, David Beckham.

David Beckham drew a sell-out crowd at BC Place

In the first half the Vancouver White Caps played strong against the LA Galaxy, leading the way 2-0. But half-way through the second half, fans had the opportunity to see Beckham score not one, but two goals against the White Caps, ending the game at a tie, 2-2.

Opening game ceremonies

After nearly a year-and-a-half of renovations at the cost of nearly $563 million, the newly refurbished BC Place is once again welcoming people once again.

“This is clearly a magnificent building, and a tribute to those who had the vision and skill to design and build it,” said Premier Christy Clark. “By revitalizing BC Place, we have essentially created a whole new facility for half the price of a new building. It’s something all British Columbians can be proud of.”

On Friday, September 30, Premier Christy Clark officially cut the ribbon and opened the doors for the first event inside, a CFL game between the BC Lions and the Edmonton Eskimos.

“The revitalized BC Place is a world-class stadium that will provide an incredible fan experience,” added Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell.  “This is a remarkable public asset and will be a great home for British Columbians to cheer on the Lions and Whitecaps for decades to come.”

The renovations include a cable supported retractable roof. The highly flexible centre portion of the room collects inward, creating a roof opening as long as the playing field below. The roof can open and close in under 20 minutes. The outer roof is made up of fabric panels, that even when the retractable roof is open and it is raining, is said to protect all 55,000 spectator seats.

The playing field has permanently installed Polytan LigaTurf 240 RS+, an all weather turn that meets FIFA’s two-star top rating. During concerts, events, shows and other events, the turf will be covered with a custom floor cover.

Other renovations features include the second-largest hanging HD screen in a stadium in North America (second only to the Dallas Cowboys), measuring 68 by 38 feet each. There is a new state-of-the-art sound system, LED panels below the roofline for displaying a light show, wider stadium seating and a new light system.

BC Place is the largest sports, exhibition and entertainment venue of its kind in British Columbia, hosting the province’s most notable events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

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In 1954 Empire Stadium opened on the East side of the Pacific National Exhibition Grounds in Vancouver, BC. It was built for the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and would become the home of the BC Lions until 1982 when they moved to BC Place stadium in downtown Vancouver.

The BC Lions and Whitecaps FC both moved to a temporary location, Empire Field, in 2010, when BC Place began a $563 million renovation.

Empire Field is a temporary stadium that can seat over 20,000 people. It is located in the same spot as the original Empire Stadium, which is now known as Hastings Park.

Once BC Place re-opens on September 30, 2011, Empire Field will once again be demolished and revert back to a regular local playing field.

If you haven’t done it already, you only have until late September to experience the thrill of an outdoor game at Empire Field. There’s nothing like the fresh air, scenic views of the North Shore Mountains and the thunderous pounding on the steel bleachers when the home team scores a goal.

This is your final opportunity to visit this unique sporting venue in Vancouver before is becomes another part of the city’s history; be sure to be a part of it.

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The new retractable roof on BC Place nears completion (August 2, 2011)

Following the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, BC Place began a $563-million renovation. 16-months later, with less than two months left until opening day, BC Place is almost ready to re-open to the public.

The largest investment was removing the old Teflon inflatable roof and replacing it with a new cable-supported retractable roof.

The common areas, concessions, washrooms, and dressing rooms have been renovated and updated to give the building a fresh, new look.

In the playing area, there will be new sound and lighting system installed, and a four-sided electronic video-board, which will all be suspended from the centre support structure.

The playing field will be an all-weather playing surface with a concert floor cover for concerts and events.

The exterior plaza will also receive a facelift, including a new memorial for Terry Fox, replacing the previously aging monument.

The revitalization project is expected to prolong the life of BC Place Stadium for another 40 years with projected economic impacts of $100 million per year.

BC Place stadium is set to open on Friday, September 30, 2011 for the BC Lions home game vs the Edmonton Eskimos, and will host the 2011 Grey Cup on November 27, 2011.

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Vancouver Whitecaps soccer club have wrapped up their 2010 season at Swanguard Stadium in Burnaby. Next year they will enter into the MLS division and to their new home at the newly renovated BC Place Stadium, with its brand-new retratable roof.

It’s going to be an exciting year for the Whitecaps and this team offers one of the best values for pro sport in Vancouver. Season tickets start at just $319! Oh, an there’s over 20,000 seats to choose from too (season ticket cap at 16,500)! There are 17 home games in 2011, which breaks down to under $20 per game if you’re a season ticket holder. Deposits for season tickets are now being accepted online.

Spring training and the first few games of the 2011 season will take place at the temporary Empire Stadium at the PNE grounds on Hastings in Vancouver, while the renovations are completed at BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver.

For more information on the 2011 Vancouver Whitecaps, visit their website.

*photos from Swanguard Stadium in August 2010

BC Place Stadium under renovation - Saturday, July 24, 2010

BC Place is currently undergoing a $458 million renovation. The primary project is to replace the aging air-supported dome. The Stadium was originally opening in 1983, and the Teflon roof has long outlived its original projected lifespan. The new state-of-the-art retractable roof will extend the life of BC Place Stadium by more than 30 years. The new cable-supported roof will be the largest cable and fabric retractable roof in the world and the retrofit is scheduled to be completed by early fall 2011.

Quick facts from the Province of British Columbia:

• A total of 350 people will be working on-site during construction.
• The upgrade will attract an additional 41 event days to Vancouver and the province per year.
• These additional events will increase the annual economic benefits of the stadium from nearly $60 million to an estimated $100 million annually, supporting thousands of jobs.
• Upgrading the building and systems for sustainability and green initiatives is expected to decrease the annual energy bill by an estimated 25 per cent, or approximately $350,000 per year.
• An additional $100,000 annually in maintenance costs associated with the current air-supported roof will also be saved. For example, the stadium will no longer need air-lock doors to support the roof.