Living Large

RAISING THE ROOF

BC Place, the world’s largest air-supported domed stadium was opened in 1983, holds more than 60,000 seats and is covered by fabric that is 1/30 inch thick but stronger than steel. The Stadium’s state-of-the-art technology goes beyond the roof. The multi-functional venue has the capability to host a variety of events, including sports, trade and consumer shows, rock concerts, royal visits and football games. BC Place is also scheduled to be the Opening and Closing Ceremonies venue for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and Medals Ceremonies.

Click here for Stadium Backgrounder.

• BC Place is the world’s largest air-supported domed stadium covering 10 acres in all, with a circumference of 760 metres (2,500 feet).
• There is enough concrete in BC Place to build a sidewalk from Vancouver to Tacoma, Washington.
• The roof is 10 acres of fibreglass woven fabric. There are two layers of fabric with a four foot space between them.
• The roof lets in 20% natural light. That’s because the total thickness of each layer is only 1/30 inch (0.85 millimetres).

FAN SUPPORTED

They say we’re supported by air...but we know it's the fans! The heartbeat of our building is the air-support system of the fans. It takes sixteen fans to inflate the roof...in less than one hour!

WARDROBE CHANGE

• It takes a work crew of approximately 15 roughly 12 – 16 hours to convert the Stadium from a consumer show to a football game. 1500 pieces off field turf stored in a moveable tray system are assembled like a jigsaw puzzle to complete the football field.
• The field turf, which was purchased from Montreal’s Olympic Stadium in 2005, following the MLB Montreal Expos’ move to Washington has a life expectancy of over 10 years.
• Our dressing rooms enjoy their own "wardrobe" changing for whatever celebrities they house: David Bowie converted his into a sushi bar. The Beach Boys brought in a beach complete with sand and a pool. The Rolling Stones installed a fountain.