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Recent speculation has focused on the style and structure of the redesign and refurbishment of BC Place, the future home stadium of the Vancouver Whitecaps when they enter MLS in 2011 as an expansion team.
In my recent interview with Vancouver president Bob Lenarduzzi about the transition of the USL-1 Whitecaps to MLS, posted here on US Soccer Players, he stated that the renovated multi-use stadium is slated to have two retractable roofs to provide an intimate atmosphere for soccer matches and create the feeling of a soccer specific stadium.
Due to the length, the interview was not posted in its entirety, but upon request and as promised, below is the transcription of Lenarduzzi's statements about the two retractable roofs. Exciting artist renderings of the proposed roof design are posted on the Whitecaps' site.
Extraction of the transcription
Lenarduzzi: Now, we’re playing in a place called Swangard Stadium. It has a capacity of 5,200 but we will be playing in a place called BC Place which is in downtown Vancouver, it’s being refurbished. It’s a 60,000 seater, but it will be tailored for MLS to accommodate 20,000, so we’re looking to create a very intimate atmosphere.
LE: Is this a hands-on project for you?
Lenarduzzi: We've been involved in the process from the time the renovation started, so yes, we have a say, like we want seats right up in behind our goals. There will be a retractable roof and we’re looking to include a roof within the roof so it just goes over the lower bowl, so you won’t be able to see the seats in the upper bowl. The renovation is a $365 million renovation.
LE: Did you say two roofs?
Lenarduzzi: Yes, it will be a roof within the roof. It’ll be over just the lower bowl, so it will cut out just the upper bowl.
LE: The upper bowl will have a roof as well?
Lenarduzzi: What happens is the lower bowl roof retracts back in so you see the roof up above, the retractable roof. So it’s something that’s more a visual than anything else.
LE: The upper roof will be retractable also?
Lenarduzzi: The upper roof will be retractable.
Click here to see the exciting artist renderings of the BC Place design.
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