The New BC Place

[Resolute 14]

Well, Empire was always intended to be a temporary facility, so it is understandable that they cheapened out on the turf a bit.

I'll have to see a game in BC place, but the configuration at Empire just feels like a better facilitiy, if one can "feel" such things via television.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by browna

"Hooray for everything" on as the halftime "show".
Complete cheese. Is it 1983 again?

You guys had the luxury of the mute button. I did not. Just brutal.

Great night otherwise.

[Daradon]

I must say, the stadium looks awesome from the inside. The outside, I'm still not sure about. Also wonder how diligent they will be on burnt out bulbs 8 years in the future as one poster mentioned. Could really wreck it.

The fly over cam is awesome.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Just got home from a great night. But Vancouverites ARE pissed. Apparently, concessions/beer stands were a NIGHTMARE! Hour long lineups, food running out, beer running out etc. From all accounts, it was THAT bad.

Truly a shame because the respsonse about everything else was so positive. The playing area is so much brighter and more wide open. The roof looked pretty spectacular. Big thumbs up from that standpoint.

The concession issue is pretty big because it just leaves a sour taste in people's mouths and I'm sure plenty of people won't be back until the situation is fixed. I guess an optimist will say that if concession was the biggest problem, then it was a good night because that sort of thing can be fixed.


Interested to see the Caps first game there on Sunday with the upper bowl tarped off.


The issue as to whether or not they should have spent this much money is definitely a fair one and will always be up for debate. But at the end of the day, the renovations are done, so shut up and enjoy it. There's not going to be a refund, tax payers are on the hook, so rather than bitch and complain, make the best of it. And remember, it's not just a new roof. It's a new facility with an old shell.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The "new" BC Place looks nice enough, but I still think they could have built a facility just as good for half the cost. .

Where are they going to be build something for half the cost? A lot of the appeal of BC PLace is location. Downtown, with a great transit system to get people in and out from all over the Lower Mainland. Empire had a bit of a nostalgic factor and it looked great with the mountains in the background, but that was a temp facility. They had portables as locker rooms. They had portables and concession stands. Could they build a new stadium there? Sure, but logistically, the PNE grounds is not a good area for a stadium. It was a nightmare getting out of there by car and the transit system coudln't get you there outside of bus. The closest Skytrain stations are not walking distance for 30 000 people. The common sentiment out here is that people liked Empire, but knew it was temporary and couldn't wait to move on.

If they were going to be build a new stadium in Vancouver, the waterfront proposal was probably the best one, but that fell thru. The BC Place renovations was the next best option.

If they tore down BC Place and started from scratch and built another 50 000 seat stadium, it's easily over a billion dollars. If they tear down BC Place and replace it with a smaller stadium, Vancouver no longer has a big stadium. They couldn't hold a Grey Cup or other big events. Vancouver is a big city, it needs a big venue. They had a shell for a stadium already in place, they gutted it and replaced it with a new roof, lighting, seats, suites, etc.

It's now a state of the art facility in the downtown core of a big city, with a great transit system. I don't see what the issue is.

[normtwofinger]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Just got home from a great night. But Vancouverites ARE pissed. Apparently, concessions/beer stands were a NIGHTMARE!

Did they riot in the line-up?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Just got home from a great night. But Vancouverites ARE pissed. Apparently, concessions/beer stands were a NIGHTMARE! Hour long lineups, food running out, beer running out etc. .

[normtwofinger]

^^ "Where's my f&*#in hotdog!?!?!"

[CrusaderPi]

Logistic problems on opening night? I'm shocked. Shocked.

[burnin_vernon]

The girl in front of me missed almost an entire quarter getting one beer. I don't know what happened there as there seemed to be no shortage of beer stands.

I happily stayed in my seat and watched people get upset that they couldn't fork out $10.50 for draught budweiser.

Cool stadium though.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

The girl in front of me missed almost an entire quarter getting one beer. I don't know what happened there as there seemed to be no shortage of beer stands.

I happily stayed in my seat and watched people get upset that they couldn't fork out $10.50 for draught budweiser.

Cool stadium though.

Yeah, if I'm in those lineups and feel it's going to take more than 10 mins, I get the hell out of there and go without a beer or a hot dog. I go watch the game I paid for. I don't get the people who wait that long.

BC Place staff better get this sorted out though.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Well, Empire was always intended to be a temporary facility, so it is understandable that they cheapened out on the turf a bit.

I'll have to see a game in BC place, but the configuration at Empire just feels like a better facilitiy, if one can "feel" such things via television.

Old Empire Stadium had bad drainage problems which they could never seem to solve. For some reason artificial turf seemed to fix the problem.

This new stadium looks great and I hope it brings other cities (Calgary) to get upgraded as well.

[d_phaneuf]

as someone who was less than impressed in the build up I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the inside, it's such a nicer place to watch games than the old BC place

as VFF said the concessions were a joke but that's a fixable problem

[Stranger]

Slow beer lines = less drinking = less rioting.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by valo403

The Dinos don't need a new stadium, nor do the Colts or any other team that plays out of McMahon.

You don't know what you're talking about. The Dinos do need a new stadium, on campus and smaller.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

You don't know what you're talking about. The Dinos do need a new stadium, on campus and smaller.

This. McMahon stadium is WAY oversized for the Dinos team. I don't know if being more on campus would make a difference in attendance (they've started doing Friday games which seems to be a bit more receptive for turnout) but they need a small venue so the vast amount of empty seats all around the stadium doesn't hinder the atmosphere.

Doubt that will happen though as the most likely option is McMahon gets major renovation done and the University finds no point in investing a bit more dough on building a varsity team stadium when a stadium is already on their land.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

At first glance on tv, I kinda like how they curtained off the upper bowl for the Whitecaps game.

The empty upper bowl doesn't seem so cavernous.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Say what you will about the spikes on the roof during the day, I don't see how you see this and think it's an ugly feature. Looks pretty sweet to me when all lit up.

So the beams look good during the time everyone is sleeping, but look hideous during the time most people are driving/walking/biking/bussing by it? Makes sense.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

So the beams look good during the time everyone is sleeping, but look hideous during the time most people are driving/walking/biking/bussing by it? Makes sense.

yeah, I hear everyone is sleeping at 7pm. I also hear downtown Vancouver is pretty quiet when the sun goes down. No one will ever see it when it looks amazing.

Makes sense.

[Montana Moe]

Do the Southsiders know that the match has started? Can't hear them at all.