I haven't seen any news on BC Place's roof. Source? ... as in link?

I'm going to say bullshit, and apologizes later if I'm wrong.

Throne Speech

All that suggests is the roof might be a little longer to put up then expected. However, BC Pavco never gave an exact date on the project. They suggested possibly in the summer, but were not really willing to comment other than that was a possibility they were looking at that. And that article only mentions that the MLS bid was accepted on the suggestion that the roof would be done, however, it does not mention that we could lose our MLS franchise.

I think I'm going to puke. 

Here's another take on it, from someone who has worked in news and in government (and whose wife is in gov't too).

Things to keep in mind:

1. Each September, the Legislature reconvenes. The throne speech comes in the first week, and the budget is introduced in the second week. The vote on the budget, which usually happens third or fourth week of September is essentially a confidence vote. If it fails to pass, we essentially head into another provincial election. The odds of it not passing are slim, given the Libs have a majority. That said, it's not a *huge* majority, and as such it is not unusual to postpone all major spending and economic initiatives until after there is absolute certainty the gov't will not fall. Standard operating procedure.

2. Some Liberal seats might not be looking so safe right now if we were forced into another election over a budget that does not pass. I would be surprised if the Libs were not analyzing the political implications of every single program and project that might be subject to cuts. The last thing they want to do is narrow the seat gap within the Legislature between the two parties.

The Libs will undoubtedly toast projects in NDP-entrenched ridings first, because those seats are already a lost cause. Then they'll try to spread the rest of the damage around the province best they can. They know their own supporters are pissed off already... the last thing they want to do is infuriate them.

3. Just to illustrate how dire the situation is - my wife's department has been ordered to refrain from ordering any office supplies until the end of the year. Not even PAPER. They are also being asked to voluntarily take one work day off per week without pay... because if they don't, 15% of the workforce in her ministry department will be laid off by New Year.

4. We've already heard how Tourism BC was swallowed up by the Ministry of Tourism. Now every single Crown corporation is under review, and possibly subject to re-organization. This includes BC Ferries, BC Hydro, TransLink, BC Transit, ICBC and.... (drum roll!) PavCo, which operates BC Place.

The roof bidding process may be temporarily on hold because they are about to roll PavCo into the jurisdiction of BC Buildings Corp. If PavCo is about to cease to exist as a legal entity, they can't continue accepting bids under its auspices.


Anyway, sorry for the frickin' history lesson here, but I would not be hitting the panic button yet.

BC Place is a massive economic contributor to the province. It needs a roof immediately, because the one it has is about to go tits up any second now. The roof is an absolutely unavoidable expense... and they will do it sooner rather than later, especially if the cost of materials and labour is only going to rise with time.

Any news of delaying the bid is almost certainly associated with the boys and girls in Victoria preparing for the worst, and shuffling bureaucracy to minimize the blow.

Best case scenario: Gordo decides to toast the whole BC Place site for condos, and waves the magic wand (Significant Projects Streamlining Act) allowing the Caps to build on Kerfoot's waterfront site without city approvals. That way Gordo collects quick cash for the Pavco lands to balance the budget, and they get a pile of labourers off the dole and working at two sites.... demolition work at False Creek, and construction in Gastown.

As far as I recall the Whitecaps weren't going to be playing on the roof of BC Place.  MLS needs Vancouver and the large crowds they'll draw.  Just look at the attendance numbers on their official site, most teams draw crap.  I can't see them turning them down.

What's funny in all of this if the Port Authority would be reasonable and get the waterfront stadium project built then this would likely be less of an issue.

The fact that it is a community revenue driver and a marquee sporting venue that is completely funded by private money should have the city & provincial governments falling over themselves to get this done.

The reality is that BC Place renovations will likely run over budget & the sale of the adjacent lands will be insufficient to cover the construction costs.

I know that the waterfront stadium is a dead idea but come on. I'm no genius but I can see this as being a win-win for everyone involved (Whitecaps, Vancouver city hall, the Port Authority, Provincial Liberals). All parties stand to benefit.

Whitecaps get to control their venue and the revenues generated while hopefully adding to a secure and competitive future for the club.

The Port Authority gains more land than they currently own which they can then sit on or sell or whatever else tickles their fancy. Either way they win. If I have 5 M&M's and you offer to give me 3 more if I give you 1 of mine then any way that you cut it I have more chockies!

Vancouver City Hall can spin this as a component of their strategy to revitalize the downtown east-side & gastown by improving the business & employment opportunities of the area.

The provincial liberals need to make fast friends with voters. This HST business is going to kill them come election time. They could spin this in a few advantages directions. The first that comes to mind is claiming credit for negotiating a suitable compromise with between the Whitecaps & the port authority. The result being millions of taxpayer $$ saved on a new roof that the Lions aren't screaming for (or are they?) while improving employment prospects in the downtown eastside/gastown corridor.


Edited by yaletownshane - 26-August-2009 at 00:51

Thank for the heads up. Is there a call in portion of the show?

Edited by piltdownman - 26-August-2009 at 11:19

  

Well I guess an apology from me is in order. Sorry I didn't believe you