Vancouver Officials Were Unaware Of Installation Of LED Video Board Outside BC Place

The city of Vancouver said that it “was blindsided by the B.C. Pavilion Corp.'s installation of a massive, high-definition LED video screen on the outside of BC Place that is now drawing public complaints,” according to Jeff Lee of the VANCOUVER SUN. City Manager Penny Ballem told the council yesterday that the city "had no idea PavCo was erecting the screen adjacent to Terry Fox Plaza until she and another official toured the site 10 days ago." But she said that “there's little the city can do because BC Place is provincial property and PavCo doesn't need city sign permits.” Vancouver City Council member Geoff Meggs said that “he's received a number of complaints from residents in nearby buildings.” PavCo President Warren Buckley said that that the “screen is undergoing testing at full brightness, but eventually will be restricted to daylight hours and major game nights.” Two other existing LED screens at opposite ends of the stadium “are being upgraded and will be in place by Grey Cup weekend.” Buckley said that “they, too, will be run in a way that mitigates the effect on neighbours” (VANCOUVER SUN, 10/5).

DOUBLE PLAY: In Minneapolis, Jackie Crosby reports the advertisement for Sanford Health “that caused such a kerfuffle when it appeared last year on the side of Target Center will be history by month's end.” When Target Corp. renewed naming rights to the T’Wolves' arena in September, “the retailer also gained access to what has become a coveted piece of real estate for advertising -- the area Twins fans see from inside Target Field.” T’Wolves President Chris Wright said that “the Sanford moniker will be down Oct. 31” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/5).