With another famous roof set to come down in Vancouver, the public will once again have the chance to contemplate the future of a second Expo legacy site - this time, the Plaza of Nations complex.
Last Thursday, the City of Vancouver put out this press release, which announced that due to age-related structural problems with the Plaza of Nations' roof, a demolition permit had been granted to the site's owner, Canadian Metropolitan Properties. It goes on to say:
The owner has committed to ensure ongoing open-air use of the outdoor performance venue. A long-term permanent strategy to rebuild or replace the performance venue will be explored as part of an anticipated review of overall plans for Northeast False Creek.
Some further reporting by CKNW has revealed that several tennants who occupy offices on the west side of the Plaza of Nations complex have been asked to vacate by this coming June.
The article adds that Canadian Metropolitan Properties is considering redevelopment, although it doesn't yet have any firm plans.
From what we know, the current zoning on the site does permit the construction of a 'family sports and entertainment complex' as well as a hotel, so it's quite possible that one of those facilities might be going in there.
There aren't any anticipated changes to the former BC Pavillion, which is currently occupied by the Edgewater Casino.
Our next post will have more info from a 2005 study that examined the Plaza of Nations' future.
Well, the site is long in the tooth. Most days, it's a ghost town. However, it was and is a public amenity, so I sure hope that there remains a mid-sized performance venue there. It's a tremendous location and setting. Saw Bowie there in 1997... very memorable concert.
A hotel/concert hall set-up, ala River Rock, would probably work nicely.
What Vancouver does not want there is more condos... that much is certain.
Posted by: Jack Lonsdale | Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 02:53 PM