Lions to Whitecaps

Official Review by Benjamin Massey, Guest Correspondent

A bit of research will tell you BC Place Stadium was built in 1983 and was, for the last couple years of the team's life, home of the original Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League. There aren't any other NASL-vintage stadiums in Major League Soccer so the first-time visitor to Vancouver might expect to visit an old but character-filled building, a place that could tell stories of the hallowed footsteps of Carl Valentine, Peter Beardsley, and Bob Lenarduzzi.

Not quite so. Starting in 2010 BC Place underwent a billion-dollar refit which included a $500-million retractable fabric roof and countless interior and infrastructure improvements. Today's BC Place bears almost no resemblance to the old stadium, with twenty-eight years of history hidden behind a brand new modern façade.

It's a real improvement. While the Vancouver Whitecaps played only a handful of games at BC Place in 2011, that handful was enough to impress almost every fan making the trek from their temporary home at Empire Field. It doesn't stand at the top of the world but BC Place today is probably the best facility for soccer in Canada.

Food & Beverage    3

Much was made during BC Place's renovations about the new food and beverage service. The stalls certainly look impressive. However, the selection is nothing to write home about. Those in the pricier club seats can enjoy some eclectic food choices but, for most of us, you're down to the usual burgers, fries, and hot-dogs.

The burgers, fries, and hot-dogs themselves are quite good, as these things go, although condiments and customization are lacking. Particularly at early events in the stadium, lines have been long and service somewhat erratic. Each event at the stadium has been better than the last but going for beer at half means that you run a huge risk of missing the opening kickoff even with the large number of stalls and vendors.

Prices are high, with an ordinary cheeseburger and a pop running over $10. Despite being a publicly-funded and run stadium outside food is not permitted. Luckily BC Place's convenient location means that the penny-wise visitor has lots of choices for before or after the game.

Atmosphere    4

With a capacity of 52,400, BC Place is rather cavernous for the 20,000-odd crowds of Major League Soccer. Luckily the stadium was rebuilt with soccer in mind. Large sheets of white draping hang from the upper deck during Whitecaps games; it doesn't hide 30,000 empty seats but it does make the "ceiling" feel lower and the atmosphere more intimate. The sheets also do a surprisingly good job reflecting noise, meaning the fan roars and chants reverberate through the building. This is no Gillette Stadium: if you close your eyes it's almost soccer-specific. The only times I was fooled into remembering I was in such a large stadium was when I happened to glance up - and even then, at BC Place I felt more a part of the action than I did at the smaller Empire Field.

The architects have accounted for soccer in other ways too. Temporary seating slides out of the north and south stands, covering the long CFL end zones so soccer fans can sit almost at field level. The large (second-largest in North America) video board may distract some, but the Whitecaps staff keeps its use low-key: video of the play, replays when necessary, and the score tastefully displayed in one corner. And don't worry about seeing the big board from the lower deck: during Whitecaps games the video screens are lowered to a more suitable height for soccer.

The stadium's not perfect: it is, fundamentally, a big concrete bunker, with seats that are occasionally not facing the right direction or that might be a bit too narrow for today's waistlines. The paint scheme detracts from the atmosphere slightly, with the seats painted in the red-and-grey of the BC Lions rather than the blue and white of the Vancouver Whitecaps. However, for the most part a game at BC Place is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

The much-ballyhooed retractable roof doesn't amount to as much as the hype might suggest. It's an impressive sight but, especially during night games, the atmosphere doesn't seem much impacted by whether it's open or closed. The big scoreboard taking up so much "air space" beneath the roof has a lot to do with this.

Neighborhood    4

Located in the False Creek district of Vancouver, BC Place straddles the fabulous high-rises, entertainment, and bars of downtown Vancouver and Yaletown, as well as the sleazier parts of Vancouver's notorious skid row. It's easy to stay in the nicer part of town: just follow the crowds! But those planning on some independent exploring may want to consult a map to avoid being caught in the wrong part of town after dark.

Fans    4

Vancouver Whitecaps fans are rivaled only by the Seattle Sounders, the Portland Timbers, and Toronto FC in their passion. The Whitecaps, in their current incarnation, have been around since 1986 and supporters have cheered them on across twenty-five years and six leagues. Groups like the Vancouver Southsiders and La Doce bring decades of knowledge and history, as well as boundless enthusiasm, to the stands: chants and songs reverberate for 90 minutes regardless of the score with only occasional lulls. Many of the casual fans have been attending Whitecaps games since they were called the 86ers: you might not hear them sing but if you chat to one you'll hear as much knowledge about North American soccer and passion for the team as you could ever hope for.

This being Vancouver, you will get the occasional drunk or pothead. The Whitecaps sold their season tickets somewhat erratically so there have been unfortunate cases where soccer moms who just want to sit down found themselves holding tickets in the midst of a screaming, swearing supporters' section, and vice-versa. The organization is trying to improve this in 2012 but, for now, the biggest risk with Whitecaps fans is the chance of sitting next to one you don't like.

Access    5

BC Place is within short walking distance of two major rapid transit lines: the Stadium-Chinatown station carries riders on the Expo and Millennium Lines east to Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey, while the Yaletown-Roundhouse and Vancouver City Centre stations on the Canada Line lead south to Richmond and Vancouver International Airport. Good bus connections are also available, although they obviously tend to become crowded. There is plenty of parking for those who wish to drive themselves, none of it free. And those visiting Vancouver, who may well be staying at one of downtown's many hotels, might just be able to stumble from the stadium, to the bar, to their bed.

Concourses are slightly narrow meaning that at half or before kickoff the crowds can get a bit thick. The stadium is also showing the age of its internal design, and for those who want to explore between sections a bit there is some risk of getting lost. Signage isn't as clear as it always could be.

Immediately before and after a game there will be traffic jams, both on the streets and in transit, but this is no worse than Vancouver's rush hour. For the most part, getting to and from BC Place is a pleasant experience. Stick around downtown for a couple of drinks after the game and you won't notice the traffic at all.

Return on Investment    3

With the Whitecaps not having announced their 2012 single-game ticket prices yet, it's hard to say what the return on investment will be like. Early indications are good. Season tickets for 2012 are starting at $329 for good seats in the corner; indeed, there are very few bad seats at BC Place. Vancouver's ticket prices are straight down the middle of the road, and based on the very modest increase in season ticket prices the single game tickets are likely to be the same good value.

Of course, everything else at the stadium can be a little pricey: food, beverages, parking, even souvenirs. While the Whitecaps have little control over most of this, it does knock what would have been a strong "4" down to a pedestrian "3".

Extras    3

BC Place deserves credit for taking a building that used to be an awful place for watching a soccer game and making it into a borderline-great one. There are little atmosphere-improving touches everywhere: a club-hired drum band in one corner, the loud and proud supporters' section in the other. Being a new stadium everything is clean and almost everything works. Those who spend time in the press box or luxury boxes will be astonished by the improvement over Empire Field. Even the artificial turf plays fast and true.

Final Thoughts

There was a lot of skepticism about moving an MLS team into a big Canadian football stadium. These skeptics have mostly been convinced. When you're watching a game inside BC Place it certainly doesn't feel like the 28-year-old concrete colossus that it is: dare I say, it feels soccer-specific even if it isn't.

I've been to every serious soccer stadium in Canada at least once. BC Place stands with the best of them. It's not perfect, and some of its flaws are fundamental, but it's still magnificent.

Benjamin Massey is the Manager of the Vancouver Whitecaps blog Forever 86
Photo attributed to Yvrphoto, Wikimedia Commons