BC Place seeks good roofer

The operator of BC Place stadium is set to begin scouting for a roofer to replace the 25-year-old inflatabletop of the downtown Vancouver facility with a modern retractable version.

The B.C. government decided in May to replace the inflatable dome after it collapsed during a windstorm on Jan. 5, 2007. One of the panels ripped and had to be replaced.

The BC Pavilion Corporation, which is owned by the provincial government, wants the work to begin after the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. According to previous proposals by PavCo, a retractable roof could cost $200 million.

PavCo will release the scope of work and instructions for bidders on Nov. 3 and contractors will have until Nov. 17 to put together a proposal.

In the meantime, BC Place Stadium is getting a $65-million interior upgrade in time for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.