Vancouver Landmark: BC Place Stadium

Happy Birthday BC Place!

Today marks the 30th anniversary since the opening of BC Place Stadium! This remarkable stadium has been an iconic fixture in the Vancouver cityscape since June 19, 1983! Originally built as a part of the preparations for Expo 86, it was very well known for being the world's largest air-supported domed stadium. This building's unique roof structure became a highly recognizable part of the city of Vancouver, even as the roof and city have changed over the years. Located on the north side of False Creek it has been a staple in many of city photographs looking for the skyline and mountain backdrop.


BC Place Stadium under construction

Since its opening, BC Place has been not only a physical landmark for the city, but hosted several landmark events. Some of these events are annual, such as playing host to the Vancouver Auto Show, or home to the Canadian Football League's B.C. Lions and Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps F.C., while other events can be considered "once in a lifetime". The stadium has hosted Pope John Paul II, the opening and closing ceremonies for Expo 86 (with Prince Charles and Princess Diana in attendance), several CFL Grey Cup Championships and more recently the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. It has also held some of the world's biggest musical artists, including U2, Michael Jackson, Madonna, the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney each to crowds in the range of over 40,000 people. Large or small event, there is a large sense of community as BC Place brings the visitors all closer together. Over the years more than 30 million guests have attended thousands of events, this connection the people of Vancouver have with special events or moments that BC Place has hosted solidifies its place as an important landmark for the city.


BC Place with its original roof

From any aerial shot of the city, Vancouver was for years recognizable for the domed roof stadium along the False Creek water edge, however as the roof aged and became costly to maintain, changes were made. On September 30, 2011 the world's largest air-supported domed stadium was gone and the stadium reopened with a new roof that was equally as impressive. BC Place has since been the record holder for the world's largest cable supported retractable roof stadium. The new cable supported roof has been likened to a crown within the city. The new LED fixtures light up the Vancouver night with dazzling colours to match the event within. The new roof structure maintained the previous' white finish, but is now surrounded with massive upright cable supports. The centre of the roof retracts to open 100 metres by 85 metres (to match the field below). Within the renovated stadium, suspended beneath the centre opening, hangs the North America's second largest high definition scoreboard, second only to the one that hangs in Cowboys Stadium. All the renovations have rejuvenated the stadium and city skyline ensuring that this piece of Vancouver is maintained for many more years to come.

The completed new roof

Internal view of the open roof

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Vancouver’s skyline will feature 30 candles for the 30 days of celebration, as the stadium's roof display marks the occasion. There is also a photos and memories contest for Vancouverites to enter to win prizes running for the next 30 days