BC Place Phase 2 Revitalization Project is a fixed-price contract including a spectacular cable-supported retractable roof - the largest roof of its kind in the world. The new roof will transform BC Place into a year-round, open-air venue and will create a new architectural signature for British Columbia.
Upon reopening, BC Place will be home to the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions and Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and will host the CFL Grey Cup in 2011, the 2011 Vanier Cup, and many other exhibitions, community and entertainment events.
The project is divided into two scopes of work:
1. Refurbishment and structural upgrade of existing facility
This includes:
- Seismic upgrade
- Major upgrades to the concrete structure
- Complete replacement of exterior glazing and entries
- Replacement of SBS roof over ramps
- Renovation of food court and team facilities
- Additional seating and bowl upgrades
- New field of play slab and playing surface
- Mechanical, electrical and elevator system upgrades
2. Roof replacement
Roof replacement includes demolition of the existing roof and installation of new steel and cable structure to support the new fabric roof.
Highlights:
- It will be the largest cable-supported retractable roof in the world. The area of the retractable portion of the roof is approximately 6,800m², requiring a total of approximately 13,400m² of membrane material.
- The fabric roof is divided into 36 fixed outer panels, and 36 inner retractable segments.
- Outer panels have a total area of 35,000m² of PTFE fabric which is a durable and long-lasting material for the perimeter fixed roof.
- The inner panels form the retractable roof and consist of a double layer of Tenara membrane to form lens-shaped 'cushion' elements. Tenara is a woven, high translucent ETFE- coated fabric that can be folded without damage. To close the retractable roof, the cushions will be pre-stressed using hydraulic tensioning units, followed by the introduction of pressurized air to keep the cushion rigid. When the roof is open, the cushion will be stored at the centre of the roof in a membrane garage.
- The retractable roof moves by specially designed sliding and driving carriages. To open and close the roof, the driving carriage pulleys will direct the membrane inward or outward.
- The new roof substructure consists of a radial cable net and outer steel columns or masts. The 36 steel masts weigh 120 Tonnes each at a height of over 50m. A massive steel compression beam connects the masts together and more than 35 km of thick steel cable provides the support for the new roof.
- The new façade is approximately 6,000m² of translucent ETFE panels at the perimeter of the stadium. The ETFE panels are supported by aluminum arches that are attached directly to the primary steel structure. The lighting for the façade will provide a spectacular light show and an architectural icon for the City of Vancouver.