Development Of A New Entry Court At Canada Place Marks The Next Phase Of The Vancouver Convention Centre’s Expansion

Vancouver, BC (August 21, 2008) – Canada Place Corporation and the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre are pleased to announce the development of a new Entry Court at Canada Place. The upgrade will bring a fresh and inspiring entryway to Canada Place while complementing the convention centre expansion located to the west of the existing facility.

Canada Place was built in 1986 when the original plaza welcomed visitors to the Canadian Pavilion during the Expo ’86 World Fair. The public plaza will undergo a dramatic face lift in time for the opening of the new convention centre expansion in March 2009. The new Entry Court and adjacent connector will provide a Canadian-inspired link between the East and West convention centre facilities both above ground and below. The redesigned Entry Court will provide a single level public plaza thereby enhancing access to Canada Place for all abilities. Additionally, the Entry Court will showcase Canada’s national, provincial and territorial flags and improve the view corridors.

“As a world class facility located in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront, we saw an increasing need and desire to update our public plaza,” said Mike Shardlow, President & CEO, Canada Place Corporation. “Our first point of contact with visitors and the community is the front plaza. The new Entry Court design will ensure a dynamic and inspirationally Canadian welcome to our guests.”

Changes include the removal of the water fountain in favor of a stunning Welcome Centre where staff and displays will provide information about Canada Place, events at the facilities and Vancouver.

Construction will begin in mid-August. In recognition of the Expo ’86 legacy, pieces of granite from the original fountain will be re-used in the lobby of the Convention Centre.

“Once the expansion opens in mid-March 2009, convention delegates will be able to share the same excellent service and experience as in the existing centre when the connector brings both facilities together,” says Warren Buckley, President and CEO, PavCo. “These renovations will be welcomed by both local and out of town convention and meeting attendees.”

About Canada Place:
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown harbour front, Canada Place generates over $1 billion per year in economic activity and is the inspiring national landmark welcoming local residents, visitors and ships to the West Coast. Canada Place Corporation is the owner of Canada Place, and is the coordinating landlord for the organizations at Canada Place including the Pan Pacific Hotel, Port Metro Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal, CN IMAX Theatre, World Trade Centre Office Complex and the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. Canada Place will be home to the Main Press Centre, which is part of VANOC’s Main Media Centre for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

About the VCEC:
Since 1987, the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre has been British Columbia’s flagship convention facility, hosting more than 350 events annually and generating more than $213 million (fiscal 2008) in economic impact for the province. When the VCEC expansion is completed in March 2009, the VCEC will have tripled its space to nearly 500,000 square feet, and will serve as the accredited media centre for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Recently, the VCEC won the AIPC Apex Award for “World’s Best Convention Centre” in 2008, following up on its previous win for this honour in 2002. Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre is the only convention centre worldwide to receive this award twice.

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