In just two days, BC Place will be handed over to FIFA to finish the final preparations ahead of the World Cup.
BC Place, along with the provincial government, provided an update on renovations and a tour for media on Tuesday (May 12) as there is less than a month until the games kick off in North America. BC Place is a provincial Crown corporation owned and operated by B.C. Pavilion Corporation, also known as PavCo.
Vancouver will play host to seven matches, with the first on June 13. Vancouver will also host a round of 16 games in the knockout stage on July 7.
Premier David Eby said that roughly translates to 350,000 soccer fans taking in games at BC Place.
Because of that, he said the facility needs to be competitive and ready at a world-class level to welcome an event like the World Cup.
“BC Place is currently finalizing its largest renovation project since the 2010 Olympics,” he said.
“The upgrades here are required for us to be able to host World Cup games, but they also ensure that the stadium will be more accessible for British Columbians with disabilities.”
Those upgrades include new and upgraded elevators and other general accessibility improvements, modernized locker rooms and media areas, three new hospitality areas that are accessible separately from the building to host free-standing conventions, and a new high-definition video scoreboard.
“And of course, the star of the show, the natural grass pitch that is behind me. This world-class surface is required for the world-class level of soccer that will be played here. And I am especially proud that this is a made-in-B.C. story.”
The grass is from a family business in Abbotsford, installed by a company out of Langley, and is managed by a company out of Burnaby, Eby explained.
PavCo’s new president and CEO, Rehana Din, said BC Place has welcomed more than four million guests into the facility, all while completing the renovations.
“All of this work is on track and on budget, despite significant global pressures on construction costs, labour materials, and the unique nature of much of the work,” Din said.