Plaza of Nations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plaza of Nations is an entertainment complex located on the northeast shore of False Creek in Vancouver, British Columbia.
It was part of the British Columbia Pavillion during Expo '86, and along with Science World, Canada Place, and the Roundhouse Community Centre is one of the remaining physical reminders of Expo '86. The sheltered plaza has a capacity of 4500 for performances. The Plaza has been nominated by the city's Heritage Commission to be added to the Vancouver Heritage Register. Along with the Roundhouse and Science World, Plaza of Nations is considered important for demarcating the spatial extent of the world's fair, which was a transformative event for the city in its centennial year.
Plaza of Nations consists of Enterprise Hall, the West Building, the East Building, and the Covered Plaza. It has been owned by Canadian Metropolitan Properties since 1990. The site houses Edgewater Casino, and hosts various cultural and entertainment events, including the Dragon Boat Festival, and has been a popular events venue for various ethnic communities in Vancouver, as well as for corporate events. It is also an important mid-size venue for popular music acts, which in the past has included the Pixies, the Strokes, and Nomeansno. It is the only outdoor sheltered plaza in Vancouver, as well as the city's only cultural venue on the waterfront.
The glass roof of the plaza was found to be unsafe by city officials in 2006. In January, 2007 ownership decided that the cost of repairing the roof was too high, and instead plan to demolish the structure and redevelop the site. Many of the tenants have been given eviction notices.
[edit] References
- Policy Report: Plaza of Nations Land Use Study, the Director of Current Planning and Managing Director of Cultural Services, City of Vancouver, 14 July 2005.
- Plaza of Nations roof deemed unsafe, National Post, 24 November 2006.
- Glass canopy at Plaza of Nations to come down, News1130 radio, 25 January 2007.
