BC Place Tidbits & BC Lions Giveaway
byBC Place has been an icon in Vancouver since it first opened in June of 1983. It’s featured on post cards, posters, banners, and almost every image that depicts our city.
Home to the 2011 Grey Cup Champion BC Lions and Vancouver’s WhitecapsFC MLS team, BC Place also hosts expos, trade shows, and other events throughout the year. For 2012 they already have 250 occupancy days booked.
The stadium underwent renovations after the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and re-opened last fall. Aside from the roof replacement, seismic upgrades were performed, suites were re-modeled, seats were swapped out, and many of the grey cement walls were transformed into large multi-storey windows.
I’ve spent more time at BC Place in the last few months that I have at any other point in my life since we became WhitecapsFC season ticket holders. ‘Fresh air’ and ‘light’ are now words you can associate with the stadium.
I took a quick tour last week prior to the first BC Lions exhibition game of the season. Graham Ramsay, Director of Sales and Marketing, fielded my questions that mostly stemmed from overheard conversations at games.
Why this colour pattern on the seats?
You’ll notice there doesn’t appear to be a discernible pattern to the grey, orange, and red seats placed around the stadium. Ramsay said that the developer quite simply showed them 6 different computer-generated layout patterns for the seats, then they chose one that looked good and went with it. They wanted to avoid big blocks of blue (from the previous seats) that you would see in the old BC Place configuration.
Can you close the roof if it starts raining during a game?
The roof can be closed at any time however, Ramsay said that’s something they can’t do in the middle of a match as it could effect game play (wind direction and other conditions). It takes about 20 minutes for the roof to fully open or close.
How long does it take to go from a Whitecaps to BC Lions setup?
Removing the banners from seats, opening up the top level, cleaning the lines off the field, adding in the goal posts — all of that takes about 48 hours to complete. For special events, the field gets covered in over 1200 sheets of Terracover material.
Something new that’s been introduced to BC Place this season is a wider selection of food options. From a Vij’s stand and Steveston Fish & Chips, to ‘Southsliders’ pulled pork mini burgers.
I also got a taste of what you can find in the Edgewater Lounge, near the club section and suites. There I met Executive Chef Ryan Stone who demonstrated the “hot potato bar” — think Marble Slab or Coldstone Creamery for ice cream but on a hot marble slab and with mashed potato. Guests can choose their toppings like braised short rib, chicken, bacon, onions, gravy, and cheese curds.
Lost and Found, where do the items go?
Any items not claimed from lost and found at BC Place after a 2-month period are sent to the Development Disability Association, a charity supported by BC Place.
If you would like to check out BC Place for yourself, whether you’ve seen the results of the renovation already or not, I have 2 tickets available for the BC Lions season opener against Winnipeg on June 29th. Here’s how you can enter to win them:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 11:00pm. Update The winner is ag.!
150 Comments — Comments Are Closed
Would love to catch this game!
GO LIONS GO!
Havent seen the new BC Place inside. Cool article!!
Love the new look would live even more to see it in person.
I’ve never been to a BC Lions game before. I’d love to go to the opener!
Roooar!!!!!
Would love to win these for my brother!
Cool!
Would luv to surprise my hubs with tix
Go lions go!
Season Opener! 🙂
I went to the open house, but I haven’t been to the “new” BC Place for a game yet.
Sounds like a great time!
I have only ever been to one game, and that was probably 20 years ago. Would love to go to the home opener at BC Place!
Roar, Lions, roar!
Go Lions! 🙂
I’d love to go!
I want to go to the game!
Go Lions!!
would love to see my first Lions game live!
I would really love to win this. I haven;t had a chance to see the new BC Place yet.
Roar, you Lions, roar!
Go Lions! Repeat Grey Cup!
Never been to lions’ game before… wants to see the new BC place and feel the strong vibe from the fans and audience 🙂
I’d love to be there to see the Lions repeat their victory over the Bombers, on their way to a Grey Cup repeat! Go Lions!
Would love to go to this game!
I feel another Grey Cup coming on!
Would love to go see my first Lions game LIVE ! Please pick me
I’m so happy you explained about the seat pattern–we’d been wondering what or if there was a reason for it!
My son loves the Lions! Yay ticket contest!
Would love to cheer for the Lions and finally check out BC Place!
love the lions 🙂 just hope the little overlooked details from when the stadium reopened are finally fixed.
My friend raves about your site…I finally decide to check it out and I can see what she’s talking about now 🙂
Thanks for the virtual tour! It would be awesome if I won the tickets to the BC Lions’ season opener!
haven’t been to a Lion’s game before. Would love to go!
Would love to have a chance to bring my daughter to a game!
haven’t been to bc place since it has been renovated. I’d love to go!
Haven’t seen the new BC place – would be nice to change that!
I want to bring my son!
This would be fun! Ah, but which family memebr to take….!
Go Lions!
Still haven’t been to a game at the new BC Place!
OMG I want them please, pretty please. 🙂
Nice recap of your tour, the stadium was definitely revitalized for the better!
Wow I haven’t been to a game since 2000. How sad is that? Would love to go cheer our boys on.
Would love to win these tix to see the Lions play against my hometown Winnipeg!!!
I would love to win these for my husband!!
Let’s Go Lions!!!
I’ve never been to a Lions game. Would love to go!
I’m a huge CFL fan!! Please enter me in the contest 🙂 Thanks!
Season Opener would be sweet! C’mon tickets!
I’d love to be at this game and see Geroy Simon get the yardage he needs!
Stadium looks great!!
Can’t wait for the season to start! GO LIONS!
The Lions bring out the best in us — especially in the stand they’re taking to end violence against women. RESPECT Lions!
Wow, it looks like a whole new stadium…can’t wait to watch a game there!
Love it when they make those baskets … (kidding!!)
I’d love to see the new stadium and support our BC Lions at the home opener!
I haven’t been to a BC Lions game in years! Would love to go…
Was at BC Place recently for EAT! Vancouver. It was fantastic! The new roof is gorgeous from inside. Took quite a few photos of it while there!
I still haven’t made it along to a BC Lions game. Would love to get to the opener!
I got invited to the regular season ender last year. My first Lions game! I would like to go again 🙂
B.C. PLACE is great! The seats are spacious and comfy. The perfect place to see a game.
ROAR LIONS ROAR!
be so exciting to catch the Lions opener! =D
Haven’t been inside the renovated stadium! Go lions!
Would be a fun way to kick off the long weekend!
Sign me up!
Would love to go 🙂
Yes please! 🙂
I love BC Place and the BC Lions! I want to go!
Go Lions Go! ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
I’d love to go, might take my brother!
Pick me!
RRROOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRR! ♥♥♥ u Travis Lulay!
C’mon and roar you Lions roar
Thats what a Lions roar is for
From the mountains to the sea
You are the pride of all BC
RAH RAH!
So buckle down and play the game
You’ll lead us on to football fame
We love the L
The I The O, N, S
C’mon and roar you Lions
Roar you Lions Roar you Lions roar
RAH RAH RAH!
GO LIONS
I’ve never been to a football game so would love to check this out!
Would love a chance to see the new place and see my first ever football game!
Roar you LIONS ROAR!!!Love the BC LIONS !
Lulayyy roar you lions roar
Go Lions!!
GO LIONS!! RAWRRR!!!
We’ve got a legend in Geroy Simon, an absolute beast of an athlete!
I need a good excuse to buy & rock an orange wig!
Would love to watch my first ever football game.. Live!
Love those popcorn buckets with a spoon!!
That would be a blast!
I would love to go to a game!
The hubby would love this! And I would love the vij’s food stand! MMM.
Never been to a lions game before. Would love to go!
Awesome, I’d love to go to a BC Lions game!
Would love to bring my wife to a football game!
BC Place is beautiful now would love to go
Now that I am a BC transplant I should go to a game, if only to see BC Place which looks like a wonderful building. Go Argo… oops. Go LIONS!
Would love the chance to catch a Lions game!
I’ll take my boy!
Win !!!!!!!
Win More !!!!!
Great contest!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Go Lions!
BC Lions?! Yes, please!
My brother would be so envious if I won.
Go, Lions, Go!
Would love a chance to check out the stadium.
I would love to go.
I’ve never seen a lions game nor have I been to the new BC Place. Thanks!
I can hardly wait for another Grey Cup winning season to start!
Haven’t been to a lions game since two years ago. Would love to win!
Being (somewhat) new to Vancouver, I’ve never been to BC Place! Keeping my fingers crossed, this would be a great “kick-off” to summer!
I’m a huge Lions fan…I loved it when they played at Empire Stadium last year definitely brought back the nostalgic feel of watching games in the great outdoors and enjoying the sunshine. But definitely would love to check out the new and wonderful building and the Lions first game! Definitely ready to lose my voice! GO LIONS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go lions go!!!!
sounds like fun!
Go Lions! 🙂
I’ve never been it would be awesome to go!!
Thanks for the chance miss 604.
I would love to see the Lions play.
Looks really neat!
GEROY SIMON!
Great photos! I was lucky enough to see the new stadium for the first time at the Grey Cup! And I’d love a chance to go back!
I would love to take my dad to this!
I’d love to catch a game at the revamped BC Place and see how the atmo compares to a game at Empire.
I’ve not yet had a chance to check out the new BC Place, and what better way that to watch the mighty Lions roar!
Go lions Go! Repeat!
Would love to see the new BC place, and the lions go for another cup!
Lions Roar! Gonna take it all this year
Go Lions!!!
I’d love to introduce my step daughter to football and the BC Lions
Lions game would be fun!
I would love to take my dad to this game!!
Love the Lions. Love the vibe and buzz of being at a live game.
its a great stadium for football. go lions repeat
Roar you Lions ROAR!!!!
Gotta Support the Home Team!!
I absolutely love the stadium….money well spent.
I would love to Geroy, get the most catches!! Go Lions Go!!
Would love to take my boyfriend to the Lions Game… even if I don’t win, I’ll be purchasing tickets 🙂
YAY! Good luck y’all
Would love to go!
Cool post, I like the new food options :). Go Lions!
Roar You Lions Roar!!
Count me in
Would be nice to win!
New to Vancouver and would LOVE to go and see the BC Lions!!
I was at the opening of the new BC Place. It would be be nice to see a game there.
Go LIONS GO!!!!
Count me in!
Got my orange face paint ready!
Would love to go 🙂
Have to dig up my old BC lions hat!!
Have been to only one Lions game and had a riot, would love to go again