Pacific Coliseum

Pacific Coliseum. The Pacific Coliseum is a major multi-purpose arena located within the Hastings Park district of Vancouver, British Columbia. Opened in 1968, it has served as a premier venue for sports, concerts, and exhibitions, most notably as the home of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and as a key venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The arena is owned by the City of Vancouver and operated by PavCo.

History

Construction began in 1967, with the arena opening on January 8, 1968, as part of the redevelopment of the Hastings Park exhibition grounds. It was originally built to house the Vancouver Canucks of the Western Hockey League, who played there until joining the National Hockey League in 1970. The Canucks remained the primary tenant until 1995, when they moved to General Motors Place (now Rogers Arena). The venue underwent a significant $63 million renovation between 2009 and 2010 to prepare for its role in the 2010 Winter Olympics, where it hosted figure skating and short track speed skating events. These upgrades were managed by the BC Pavilion Corporation and included modernized amenities and improved accessibility.

Architecture and features

The Coliseum's design is a classic example of late-1960s arena architecture, featuring a distinctive saddle-shaped roof supported by a massive parabolic arch. The original interior was designed to provide clear sightlines for hockey and other events. The 2009-2010 renovation, led by architects from IBI Group, significantly modernized the facility while preserving its iconic exterior. Key features added or upgraded include new seating, a state-of-the-art Jumbotron video scoreboard, expanded concession areas, and enhanced facilities for athletes and media to meet International Olympic Committee standards. The building's footprint is integrated into the larger Hastings Park site, which also includes the Playland amusement park and the Hastings Racecourse.

Major events

The arena has hosted a vast array of significant events since its opening. Beyond decades of Vancouver Canucks hockey, it was the site of the Memorial Cup tournament in 1977 and 2007. It has been a major concert venue for acts like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Queen, and Metallica. Its most prominent global role was as the figure skating and short track speed skating venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics, where athletes like Kim Yuna and Apolo Ohno competed. Other notable events include the 1972 Summit Series, the 1990 Goodwill Games, and numerous performances by Cirque du Soleil. It regularly hosts the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League during their playoff runs.

Tenants

The primary and most famous tenant was the Vancouver Canucks from 1968 to 1995. Since 2001, the arena has been the home of the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. It also served as the temporary home for the Vancouver Voodoo of the Roller Hockey International league in the 1990s. The venue is a frequent host for events organized by Live Nation and other major promoters. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, it was managed by the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) for the duration of the Games.

Transportation and access

The Coliseum is located in East Vancouver, easily accessible via major roads like Hastings Street and the Trans-Canada Highway. Public transit is provided by TransLink, with multiple bus routes serving the area. The SkyTrain's Expo Line has a station at Renfrew station, with a short bus connection to the venue. For the Olympics, special shuttle services were coordinated with BC Transit. The site includes substantial on-site parking, and its location within Hastings Park provides pedestrian access from surrounding neighborhoods.

In popular culture

The distinctive architecture and historical significance have made it a recognizable location in film and television. It featured prominently in the 1996 sports film Happy Gilmore, standing in for a hockey arena. The arena has also appeared in episodes of the television series The X-Files, which was often filmed in Vancouver. Its iconic status within Canadian sports culture has been referenced in documentaries about the Vancouver Canucks and the 2010 Winter Olympics. The venue's image is closely tied to the history of Hastings Park and the development of major entertainment in British Columbia. Category:Arenas in Vancouver Category:1968 establishments in British Columbia