Vancouver City Central Transmission Project

May 29 Update on Pipe Bundle Installation and Grouting Activities

At David Lam Park

We thank you for your continued patience as we work on this important project that will increase the reliability of the electrical supply throughout Vancouver.

While activities similar to the pipe bundle pull and installation have been completed in North America, the length and weight of this particular pipe bundle is unique. Work has taken longer than originally anticipated because of the additional care required to not damage the pipes. BC Hydro is working closely with the contractor, Michels Canada, to ensure completion of this activity as quickly as possible.

Overall Pipe Bundle Move and Installation Update

The work will be continuing 24 hours a day until the pipe bundle has been installed fully through the crossing under False Creek which is now anticipated to be done by late Monday, May 30 or potentially on Tuesday, May 31.

Activities in David Lam Park Work Area – May 29/30/31 (Sunday/Monday/Tuesday)

- Approximately 10:00 am Sunday morning, the pipe bundle started being pulled into the crossing under False Creek, using equipment operating in David Lam Park.

- The pipe bundle is moving slowly down West 8^th Avenue from Hemlock Street and then down Laurel Street to the hole at the work area at Laurel Street and West 7^th Avenue and then through the crossing under False Creek until the head of the pipe bundle comes out in the David Lam Park work area.

- The contractor is anticipating that approximately 30 continuous hours of the pipe bundle installation activity will occur in the David Lam Park work area (including overnight).

Activities in David Lam Park Work Area – May 30 through June 8

- Grouting work could start as early as May 30 and continue through approximately June 8, including during the weekend. Grouting will occur between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm each day.

- Concrete trucks will pump concrete into the hole under False Creek to displace the drilling mud and secure the pipes in place. The drilling mud will be removed by vacuum trucks.

- During this time, the temporary steel casing located in the work area will be removed with the pneumatic pipe hammer that was used to install it; the casing removal will be intermittent as the contractor removes some casing and then does some grouting and then removes more casing and so on.

- This work is expected to have high noise impacts and high traffic impacts.

For more information

More information can be found on the project website at: bchydro.com/vcct If there are any further delays, they will be posted on the website and updates will be sent to our email database. If you have questions, please contact the VCCT Construction Communications Team at 604.345.5250 . This number will continue to be monitored 24 hours per day until the pipe bundle installation has been completed.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and thank you again for your continued patience.

Sincerely,

Sharon

Sharon Wasylik

Communications and Consultation Advisor

Capital Projects, Communications

BC Hydro

phone:  604 623 3910

fax:  604 623 3937

sharon.wasylik@bchydro.com

www.bchydro.com

Here are some pictures of the new steel truss being installed for the new retractable roof, they are impressive.

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2010PREM0070-000325
March 26, 2010
Office of the Premier
BC Pavilion Corporation

BC PLACE COMPLEX TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS
VANCOUVER – A new 680,000 square foot entertainment complex attached to BC Place will
create more than 8,500 direct and indirect jobs during construction and ongoing operation,
increase tourism and build a more vibrant downtown, announced Premier Gordon Campbell and
David Podmore, chair of BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo).

PavCo, the Crown corporation that manages BC Place, confirmed today a 70-year lease
agreement with Paragon Development Ltd. for two acres of the BC Place west side lands – the
result of a competitive bidding process that attracted multiple proposals. The $450-million
proposed project will feature two new internationally-branded hotels and a new gaming facility,
subject to municipal approval.

“This project will create literally thousands of jobs and be an important generator of
tourism and economic activity for Vancouver and the entire province,” said Premier Campbell.
“During the Olympic Winter Games the streets of Vancouver were alive with the Olympic spirit
– and we hope this entertainment complex will help recapture some of that excitement.”
The project is expected to create an estimated total employment of more than 3,200 direct
and 2,200 indirect jobs during construction and an estimated total employment of more than
1,900 direct and 1,300 indirect jobs during facility operations. The facility is expected to
generate up to $130 million in gaming revenues that will be distributed to the Province in the
first full year. Pending City of Vancouver approval, Edgewater Casino will be relocated as part
of the rezoning process.

“This unique development will further enhance the new BC Place as a world-class
facility.” said Podmore. “In addition to gaming revenues for both the Province and the city, this
complex brings additional economic benefits in both tourism and event opportunities.”
“Together with the incredible changes being made at BC Place, this iconic venue will
draw visitors and residents to enjoy an entertainment destination unique to Canadian cities,” said
Scott Menke, president, Paragon Development. “The business case was evident to us, and we’re
looking forward to working closely with PavCo and BC Place in redefining Vancouver’s
entertainment epicentre.”

Pending the rezoning application to the City of Vancouver, construction is planned to
begin in early 2011 and be completed in mid-2013. Events will continue to be held during
construction.

The $6-million per year (plus inflation) in lease revenue from the development will, together with other development, sponsorship and new event revenues, help to defray the cost of the retractable roof at BC Place. In October 2009, the Province and PavCo announced a $458-million fixed-price contract between PavCo and PCL Constructors Canada Inc for a new retractable roof. Beginning in April 2010, BC Place will undergo a major revitalization with the installation of the largest cable-supported retractable roof of its kind in the world. The new roof will cut energy costs by one-quarter, $350,000 annually and a further $100,000 annually will be saved through operational savings. The roof project will create approximately 3,000 person-years of employment, attract an additional 41 event days to Vancouver annually and increase the annual economic impact of the stadium from $60 million to $100 million in economic activity every single year. It will also extend the life of BC Place for an additional 40 years. BC Place is the largest sports, exhibition and entertainment venue of its kind in British Columbia, hosting the province’s most notable events, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Upon re-opening in 2011, BC Place will be the new home for the Vancouver MLS franchise, will continue to be home to the BC Lions Football Club, the 2011 Grey Cup and many other exhibitions, community and entertainment events. Paragon Development Ltd. is one of North America’s leading destination resort developers, with special emphasis on gaming-based destinations. Paragon currently operates casinos in Western Canada including River Cree Resort outside of Edmonton, Alberta, and purchased Edgewater Casino on Vancouver’s False Creek waterfront in 2006. That casino will be closed once the new development is ready for occupation.

Media contacts: Dale Steeves Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 387-1715
Trevor Pancoust BC Place 604 646-3567
Sherri-Lyn Brown Aerial Communications Group for Paragon Development Ltd. 416 787-6577 416 371-7765 (cell)
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - It could happen here. The City of Seattle is looking at allowing cafes to set up in urban alleys and folks we chatted with would like to see them too.  A design competition in Seattle would see nice little bistros set up in an alley in Pioneer Square and there's talk of expanding the idea throughout the city.

News1130 hit the streets to see what you thought and people we talked in Yaletown believe the alleys there and in Gastown would make a delightful place to gather over coffee, especially on a nice day. This woman agrees.  "Yeah, absolutely, why not?   Do you think it would make Vancouver a friendlier place?  I would say so.  It's a pretty friendly city as it is but that would add to it, absolutely." 

People in Seattle say they love the idea and think it would make the city more vibrant, which would in turn attract more tourists, especially with summer on the horizon. In San Francisco, Maiden Lane off of Union Square allows delivery trucks in the morning but is packed with cafe's during the day and evenings.

Charles Gauthier from the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association says the idea could work here. He points out though, the city would have to get rid of all the dumpsters that dominate our alleys.  "A couple of individual businesses have gotten rid of their dumpsters and have replaced them with totes that are picked up when required."

Gauthier adds alley way cafes would give the city a new source of revenue because businesses have to pay for city property they use, like sidewalks.  He says getting rid of dumpsters could also allow parking in alleys the city could charge for.

Walt Judas with Tourism Vancouver says they would welcome the idea.  "During the Games when Granville Street and Robson Street closed to vehicle traffic it created a terrific atmosphere that pedestrians enjoy.  So, converting alley's may have a similar impact."  Judas adds the downtown core could be suited to this if the right conditions are met.

This sculpture is part o the Vancouver Biennale which is a bi-annual public art exhibition that brings sculptures, new media and performance works by celebrated and emerging international artist to Vancouver are public parks, beaches and urban plazas, transforming the city into an open-air museum. The exhibition promises a diverse mix of interesting and important works of contemporary art, from the spectacular to the curious, to the thought provoking and playful, all completely free of charge for the entire community to enjoy throughout the seasons.

The title of this art work is Eros Bendato Scripolato, by Igor Mitoraj’s, it is based on classical sculpture. Dimensions: 2.25m high, 2.9m long, 1.37m wide. Weight: 2,000 kg. Material: Bronze.

For more information regarding the Biennale: http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/

March 1, 2010

Dear David Lam Park Neighbours,

I wanted to write to thank you for your enthusiasm and patience as the City hosted LiveCity Yaletown at David Lam Park during the recent 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Clearly the LiceCity site was a huge hit with residents and visitors alike. Marked as “the place to be” during the games, LiveCity Yaletown drew record audiences over the 17 days of the Games. Since the evening of February 11^th when the torch arrived at the site to the Closing Ceremony, more than half a million people visited the two sites including 9,516 students who attended our LiveCity Education Program.

We were also able to welcome business leaders from around the world to Vancouver House at LiveCity Yaletown where we showcased our “Green Capital” economic development strategy. Many of our international guests also commented on the dynamism and liveability of the Yaletown neighbourhood.

The process to return the site to parkland began immediately after the Closing Ceremony February 28^th. Over the coming days., the pavilions and stage will be dissembled and the tents and trailers will move off site. Over the coming weeks, the ground covering and will be removed and repurposed, repairs completed and the field re-sodded and protected with fencing so that it can grow once again to a green park. You will continue to see some fencing so that it can grow once again to a green park. You will continue to see some fencing in the park after the summer as B.C. Transmission Corporation (BCTC) continues the underground work they started last summer.

As part of the City’s remediation work there will be a number of infrastructure legacies left in the park that will improve the health of the playing field grass and the park’s capability to host events in the future.

We recognize that there have been impacts on our neighbours and on behalf of city Council, please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation for your support and patience. This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our city. Your generosity has allowed our city to shine.

With thanks,

Thank you Yaletown!

MAYOR

Sincerely,

Greg Robertson