Recent News

BC PLACE SHINES AS HOST VENUE FOR CONCACAF WOMEN'S QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT

January 30, 2012

Vancouver, BC (January 30, 2012): BC Place is drawing praise after serving as the host venue for the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Soccer Tournament that concluded this weekend in Vancouver.

Canada and the United States finished as the top two teams following the 11-day, eight country tournament, and both have qualified to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England.

A record crowd for a CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament final match was set Sunday as the United States defeated Canada 4-0 in front of 25,427 fans. A new attendance record had previously been set on Friday, January 27 when the semi-finals had 22,954 fans watch Canada defeat Mexico 3-1 and the USA defeat Costa Rica 4-0 at BC Place.

“By hosting this tournament, BC Place has shown itself to be a state-of-the-art soccer venue which only furthers Vancouver’s reputation as a world-class host city,” said Peter Montopoli, General Secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association. “We’re very pleased with the record-setting support the tournament enjoyed here in Vancouver. Thanks to the superb indoor playing conditions at BC Place throughout the tournament, we were totally unaffected by the winter weather outside.”

Canada will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, and seven Canadian cities including Vancouver are bidding to become one of the hosts for the 24 country tournament.

“The CONCACAF tournament was the first international event we’ve hosted in the new BC Place, and was the first opportunity to prove that we now have Canada’s premier soccer venue right here in Vancouver,” said Graham Ramsay, Director, Sales and Marketing, BC Place. “We look forward to many more international events here. The success of this tournament has demonstrated what a great fit BC Place is for world-class soccer, and sets the stage for a successful bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015.”

About BC Place
BC Place is the largest sports, exhibition and entertainment venue of its kind in British Columbia, hosting the province’s most notable events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
An all-new BC Place reopened in September 2011 after completing a major revitalization that included the installation of the largest cable-supported retractable roof of its kind in the world. Today, BC Place is home to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS franchise, the BC Lions Football Club and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. BC Place is an important generator of economic activity in British Columbia, hosting world-class entertainment events, professional and amateur sport, community gatherings and exhibitions. For more information, please visit www.bcplace.com

Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com

BC PLACE TO SHOW “NORTHERN LIGHTS DISPLAY”

December 12, 2011

BC PLACE “NORTHERN LIGHTS DISPLAY” TO HONOUR THE SEASON WITH SPECTACULAR LIGHT DISPLAY NIGHTLY

Make sure you include BC’s new stadium on your holiday lights tour

Vancouver, BC (December 12, 2011): Each night from now until January 1st, BC Place will be lit up with lighting themes specially created to make the festive holiday season even brighter.

Look for the building’s new roof, and the 36 foot tall semi-transparent Northern Lights Display, to be illuminated with displays inspired by candy canes, winter scenes and traditional seasonal colours of red and green.

Dates: Now until January 1st (inclusive)
Time: Each evening starting at approximately 4:30PM

The “Northern Lights Display”
The stadium roof façade – known as the Northern Lights Display - utilizes 1700 ‘ETFE’ panels, stacked four rows high, and 6,800 linear feet of energy-efficient LED lights to create customizable lighting displays. ETFE is a semi-transparent material that allows sunlight into the stadium during the day, but it also contains metal dots called “frits” that reflect the LED light displays during the night.

The new BC Place roof covers an area of approximately 38,000 square metres. Together, the new BC Place roof and Northern Lights Display enables a wide range of both static and dynamic programming, with a total of more than 26,000 addressable lighting elements.

Most recently, BC Place was fully lit up in red on December 1st in recognition of World AIDS Day, and orange during the BC Lions’ successful Grey Cup run last month.

About BC Place
BC Place is the largest sports, exhibition and entertainment venue of its kind in British Columbia, hosting the province’s most notable events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

An all-new BC Place reopened in September 2011 after completing a major revitalization that included the installation of the largest cable-supported retractable roof of its kind in the world.

Today, BC Place is home to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS franchise, the BC Lions Football Club and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. BC Place is an important generator of economic activity in British Columbia, hosting world-class entertainment events, professional and amateur sport, community gatherings and exhibitions. For more information, please visit www.bcplace.com

 

Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com

MONSTER JAM® RETURNS TO VANCOUVER

December 5, 2011

CANADA’S FIRST CANUCK THEMED MONSTER TRUCK TO BE NAMED WEDNESDAY; SEE IT LIVE FEBRUARY 4TH AT MONSTER JAM VANCOUVER

(Vancouver, BC – November 28, 2011) – Feld Motor Sports℠ announced today that tickets for the 2012 Maple Leaf Monster Jam Tour in Vancouver go on-sale tomorrow, with tickets for kids starting at just $15 and adult tickets starting at $25. Monster Jam will be performing at the all-new BC Place on February 4th, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at the BC Place Box Office, online at http://www.ticketmaster.ca, or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.

For the first time ever, Canadians had the opportunity to name a dedicated, brand new Canadian themed monster truck that will roar into Vancouver as part of the 2012 Maple Leaf Monster Jam Tour. The new Canuck truck name will be announced November 30th, 2011. Driven by BC local, Cam McQueen, this massive piece of Canadian pride will be one of many trucks rev’ing up to blow the roof off the all-new BC Place when it returns in February.

There will be more trucks than ever in Vancouver, with 12 trucks competing in Racing and Freestyle events. For the first time in Vancouver, spectators will be able to see Son UVA Digger and Mohawk Warrior. Other trucks include Monster Mutt, The Patriot, Detour and Western Renegade driven by a Canadian Driver. Fan favourite Grave Digger will also be at the show, celebrating its 30th year with Monster Jam®.

A pit party will precede the show where fans will be able to walk the track, meet the drivers, and get photos with the massive monster trucks.

Vancouverites who want a sneak preview of Monster Jam before February, can catch fan monster truck, Western Renegade, when it dominates Downtown Vancouver as part of the Santa Clause Parade, December 4th.

Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high- powered bursts of speed; monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to 125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air. For more information, visit www.monsterjamcanada.ca.

About Feld Motor Sports®, Inc.
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com

Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com

BC LIONS GREY CUP CELEBRATION

November 30, 2011

(Vancouver) The BC Lions Football Club is pleased to announce that plans for the Celebration of Grey Cup Pride are complete for Wednesday, November 30th at BC Place.

Gates A and H (off Terry Fox Plaza) will open to fans beginning at 5:00 pm with the program beginning at 6:00 pm – admission is free and fans coming down for the event are reminded to dress warmly.

Special player introductions, messages from Lions president and CEO Dennis Skulsky and GM and head coach Wally Buono along with players such as Travis Lulay, Geroy Simon and Paul McCallum will highlight the evening. Two special video presentations on the stadium’s massive centre scoreboard will also be part of the show.

“Our fans have been the foundation of our success in 2011 and this event is about celebrating a championship together as one,” said Lions president and CEO Dennis Skulsky.

Also in appreciation of outstanding fan support, BC Place and Centerplate will make hotdogs, soft drinks and chips available at half-price. Given the family-oriented nature of the celebration, alcohol will not be served. 99th Grey Cup Festival merchandise and BC Lions championship merchandise will be available for purchase on the concourse.

Following the celebration, fans will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with the Grey Cup on the concourse near Gate A and a limited number of commemorative posters will be handed out to fans upon exiting BC Place.

MEDIA INFORMATION

A pool feed for the event will be available at the West Airlock. Those television outlets wishing to carry the event live or stream the event can contact Tim Lewis at Proshow (604-329-8985) for more information on the pool feed. Those using the pool feed should be onsite by 5:00 pm – parking is very limited. ENG cameras can also shoot from the media centre but will not have access to the house PA from that area.

Media are asked to use Gate A or the West Airlock to enter BC Place – parking is not provided. There will be a media holding area near the stage that can be used for handheld ENG cameras and very brief media availability period will also follow the event.

Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com

BC PLACE TO ‘GO RED’ FOR CANFAR ON WORLD AIDS DAY

November 30, 2011

November 30, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) – On Thursday, December 1st, 2011 BC Place in Vancouver and the CN Tower in Toronto will light up and ‘Go Red’ for CANFAR to help raise awareness for AIDS research. The landmarks will change their lights to red to show their support and build awareness for this global epidemic and the research still needed to find a cure.

A quarter of Canadians with HIV are not aware of their infection and young adults (aged 15-29) account for approximately 26 per cent of all people diagnosed with HIV in Canada. As Canada’s only independent charitable foundation dedicated to eliminating AIDS through research, CANFAR is committed to finding a cure and has granted more than $17 million to Canadian researchers to-date. Since the first World AIDS Day in 1988, people around the world have shown their commitment to finding a cure by ‘going red’ and wearing a red ribbon.

CANFAR’s president, Christopher Bunting, is available to speak about the prevalence of HIV and AIDS and the remarkable steps forward being made by Canadian researchers.

WHAT: CN Tower and BC Place ‘Go Red’ to commemorate World AIDS Day

WHO: Christopher Bunting, President, CANFAR

WHEN: Thursday, December 1st, 2011
5:00 p.m. onwards

WHERE: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd. Vancouver, BC
CN Tower – 301 Front Street West, Toronto, ON

ABOUT CANFAR
The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research is Canada’s only independent charitable foundation dedicated to eliminating HIV/AIDS through research. By funding promising Canadian HIV/AIDS research and spreading awareness through education campaigns, CANFAR is working to end AIDS globally. Since 1987, CANFAR has awarded $17 million to HIV/AIDS research projects. Visit CANFAR for more information. AIDS is still fatal. There is no cure, no vaccine. Not yet.

Alex Kruger Laura Patton
CANFAR Weber Shandwick
akruger@canfar.com lpatton@webershandwick.com
P: 416-361-6281 ext. 227 P: 416-642-7910

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Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC ANNOUNCES 2012 FIRST GAME

November 29, 2011

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC ANNOUNCES MARCH 10 2012 TO KICK OFF THE SEASON

VANCOUVER BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC has announced they will kick off year two in Major League Soccer at BC Place on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

“March 19, 2011, was an historic day for our club, our fans, and our province, and now we look forward to kicking off the next chapter in our storied history on March 10, 2012,” said Whitecaps FC CEO Paul Barber. “In particular, we are very excited to start the season downtown in our world-class home at BC Place. We encourage fans to renew or purchase their season tickets today to help us continue to establish one of the best sporting atmospheres in North America – top three in the league this year.”

Times, opponents, and national broadcast information for these matches will be included in the entire regular season schedule, which will be announced upon its completion in the coming weeks. Each club will play 34 matches in the 2012 MLS regular season; CLICK HERE for further details.

Whitecaps FC 2012 Major League Soccer season tickets start at $329, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, including loge seats and suites, call the Whitecaps on 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com/protect.

Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com

EVENT INFORMATION BULLETIN

November 24, 2011

Vancouver, BC (Nov 24, 2011): BC Place would like to remind everyone attending the 99th CFL Grey Cup Final this Sunday, November 27, of the following tips:

• BC Place will be busy with over 54,000 guests coming to experience the Grey Cup. Approximately 1500 staff will be on hand to ensure guests enjoy a memorable Grey Cup experience.

• Please give yourself lots of time as traffic, transit and the surrounding areas around BC Place will be busier than usual. Security at the gates will be enhanced for the Grey Cup and bags will be searched. For this reason, large backpacks are discouraged.

• There will be lots to do around BC Place on the plazas and at the TELUS StreetFest Party so plan to arrive early.

• Gates to the stadium will open at 1:30 pm - plan your route to the stadium by checking the Getting Here section at bcplace.com

• Understand where your seats are located in the stadium. Check the recommended entrance gate on your ticket – for example: “Enter Gate E” – however note that guests may enter at any gate, and can therefore choose to enter via a gate that is less busy.

• BC Place is now an ‘open-air stadium’ even with the roof closed so please dress for the weather as the stadium can be cool!

• BC Place is conveniently located close to many transit options. Take transit to avoid traffic congestion if you can. Call TransLink Customer Information at 604.953.3333 or visit translink.bc.ca

• We are just a few blocks from the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain Station (Beatty Street at Dunsmuir Street). From the platform, head up the stairs for the gates on the Beatty Street side of the building; or head downstairs to Expo Boulevard for the gates nearest the False Creek side.

• We are also only a few blocks along Robson Street from the Canada Line’s Vancouver City Centre Station at Granville and Georgia.

• Finally, have a good time! BC Place is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for our guests. If someone in the stadium is doing something to make your experience at BC Place unpleasant, please bring it to the attention of the nearest stadium staff member or contact BC Place’s FAN FORCE Guest Assistance program: call 604.661.3434, text FORCE to 69050 or email fanforce@bcplace.com

• Follow us on Twitter @bcplace. For latest information in the countdown to kickoff.

• Check our website at www.bcplace.com for current information as well as stadium features.

Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com

QUICK FACTS – GREY CUP SUNDAY

November 24, 2011

Vancouver, BC (Nov 24, 2011): With BC Place sold out for the 99th CFL Grey Cup, that means we’re about to accommodate our biggest crowd yet since the recently completed revitalization.

When you add up the fans in the seats, the concession staff, media representatives, the BC Lions, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and all of the others who will also be working on site on Sunday, more than 54,000 people will be inside BC Place for the 2011 CFL Final.

That means for a single day, BC Place will actually have a population greater than a number of well-known BC communities. Check out these sample population counts from BC Stats:

• North Vancouver 50,725
• Mission 37,574
• Penticton 33,078
• Campbell River 31,580
• Sunshine Coast (RD) 29,984
• Courtenay 24,589
• Fort St. John 19,873
• White Rock 19,278
• Cranbrook 19,123
• Port Alberni 17,752
• Esquimalt 17,689
• Salmon Arm 17,128
• Prince Rupert 12,994
• Terrace 11,931
• Dawson Creek 11,860
• Parksville 11,831
• Williams Lake 11,002
• Whistler 10,531

Over the course of the weekend’s events - which include the Vanier Cup on Friday and the Grey Cup on Sunday - BC Place will host a community approximately the size of Victoria!

VANCOUVER’S CULINARY “SPECIAL TEAM” TO HOST FANS AT CANADA’S LARGEST ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENT

With so many guests visiting from out of town, food service provider Centerplate has designed a special menu showcasing Vancouver's culinary style. Executive Chef Ryan Stone invited his fellow members of Team BC, British Columbia's competitive culinary team, to develop three concourse stations in addition to traditional fan favourites:

Lightly Maple Smoked Steelhead - served in fata paper with confit fennel and fingerling potatoes

Indian Spiced Lamb Chops - served with basil coulis, sumac yogurt and fried eggplant chips

Barbeque Pork Belly Sliders - topped with apple relish, house-made mustard served on parkerhouse rolls

Football fans tend to come hungry – so we’ll be stocking up the BC Place concessions with extra food and drink (in round numbers):

• 20,000 hotdogs
• 10,000 hamburgers
• 37,000 litres of beer
• 17,000 litres of soft drinks
• 6,000 slices of pizza
• 4,300 orders of nachos
• 6,000 buckets of popcorn

Suite guests will also enjoy a special game menu designed in partnership with several of Vancouver's leading chefs, including:

• Chef Tomoki Yamasaki of Hapa Izakaya/Hapa Umi
Hapa Izakaya has transformed Vancouvers perception of Japanese food, showcasing eclectic dishes that go far beyond the boundaries of the typical sushi restaurant. Tomoki has led the teams at all three Hapa Izakaya locations and is currently executive chef at the new Hapa Umi in Coal Harbour.
Dish - Cured Salmon Temari Sushi

• Chef Vikram Vij of Vij’s Restaurant and Rangoli Grill
Vij’s has been a Vancouver institution for almost 20 years, giving Vancouver diners one of the finest Indian restaurants in North America. Chef Vikram has an unmatched passion for food and hospitality. He has created widespread appreciation for Indian food through his two cookbooks and by making his famous curries available at food stores across Canada.
Dish - Kalongi Chicken Curry

• Charcuterie Master Drews Driessen of D-Original Sausage
Drews is a 5-generation butcher who apprenticed in his native Germany before coming to Canada. D-Original Sausage is just over 1 year old, but has already attracted a huge following in the culinary world. The bratwurst is made fresh and is served with Chef Stone’s own recipe for ketchup and mustard.
Dish - Grilled Bratwurst

• Pastry Chef Thomas Haas of Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates
Thomas Haas came to Canada in 1995 after spending many years working at Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe. After spending only 3 years in Vancouver, Haas was recruited to open Daniel Boulud’s New York restaurant as executive pastry chef. Upon returning to Vancouver in late 2000, Haas opened Thomas Haas Fine Pastries & Desserts.
Dish – Assorted Macaroons

ENJOY THE GAME!
For more information about the new BC Place, please visit bcplace.com

Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com

FEWER THAN 1,000 TICKETS REMAIN FOR THE VANIER CUP

November 23, 2011

November 23, 2011

VANCOUVER – Fewer than 1,000 tickets remain for the first national university championship to be staged in British Columbia.
A handful of great seats held by the competing schools will be released for public sale today.

Tickets remain at participating Canada Safeway stores for only $17 while supplies last. Tickets can also be purchased from Ticketmaster or by calling 1-855-GREYCUP. Only lower bowl seats are being sold to ensure an intense university football atmosphere at BC Place.

The family-friendly start time of 6 p.m., along with a professional development day for most Metro Vancouver public schools have set the stage for Vanier Cup up to be a fantastic family Friday at the Grey Cup Festival. The early start is also attractive for fans who want to partake in the Festival after the trophy is handed out.

“This is a wonderful platform for the CIS to showcase Canadian university football and our community and sponsors have stepped up in a big way to support the future stars of the CFL,” said 2011 Grey Cup Festival General Manager Scott Ackles.
“This is a significant step forward for the brand of CIS Football,” said 2011 Vanier Cup Vancouver Director Jim Mullin. “The work done by the Grey Cup Festival, MRX and the CIS will set the foundation for the Vanier Cup to be a must see event on the Canadian sports calendar not only this Friday, but for years to come,” Mullin said.

The championship pits the Laval Rouge et Or of Quebec City against the McMaster Marauders from Hamilton.

The Rouge et Or are one of the great dynasties in Canadian sport. In six visits to the Vanier, they have won every time and are looking to repeat this year. A seventh win would place the school alone in all-time Vanier wins.

McMaster brings a high powered offense to the Pacific coast led by quarterback Kyle Quinlan and his favourite target, OUA player of the year Mike DiCroce.

The CIS final will be the second-best attended in 16 years, trailing only a crowd of 26,787 in Toronto in 2007, a game which was also played the same weekend as the Grey Cup. Three of the last five Vanier Cups have been sellouts in smaller venues, including in 2006 in Saskatoon, as well as in 2009 and 2010 in Quebec City.

For more information, please contact:

Jim Mullin
2011 Coupe Vanier Cup,
E: jimmullin@vaniercup.com
T: 778-383-0913

Media Contact:
Trevor Pancoust
Tel: 604.646.3567
tpancoust@pacegroup.com