The world’s largest air-supported domed stadium has been completed in 1983. It has about 60,000 seats, that were first fully taken during the papal visit to the Archdiocese of Vancouver,when on September 18, 1984 some 65,000 people came to meet John Paul II Two years later the stadium has been visited by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Princess Diana who opened the World’s Fair, Expo 86.

Since the opening, numerous sporting events have taken place in the stadium, including NASL Soccer Bowl, Grey Cup and American Bowl games.
It is located on the north side of False Creek in Vancouver, and is owned and operated by PavCo, a corporation of the government in the Province of British Columbia.
The first team played there was Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League against the Seattle Sounders. For some time it became the home for the Whitecaps, and to the present time of BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. From the name of last team it is commonly referred as BC Place.

This year BC Place will hold the various ceremonies during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. It will became the first indoor venue used for the Opening Ceremonies for any Olympics, both winter and Summer.
The Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony will take place at Vancouver’s BC Place on February 12, 2010. The Closing Ceremony on February 28, 2010 will also be held at BC Place.
During the Olympics the Victory Ceremonies for the sports will be presented either in the venue immediately following the competition or at BC Place in the late evening.

[photo courtesy of docpap]