Video: Archival footage shows how Vancouver's iconic BC Place was built

With construction starting in 1981 and ending in 1983, BC Place is one of the older venues hosting Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

Built for Expo 86, the stadium has hosted some of the biggest events in Vancouver's history, including visits from global figures Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Diana.

Primarily used as a sports venue, BC Place has also been the field of play for some massive sporting events, like the 2015 Women's World Cup final, the 2014 NLG Heritage Classic, and, soon, the games in the 2026 Men's World Cup.

The stadium is also one of Canada's biggest indoor concert venues, with music stars like Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and U2 taking the stage.

Swift herself has played a couple of shows at BC Place in the past: Her "Red Tour" was at the venue on June 29, 2012 and she returned on August 1, 2015 with the "1989 Tour."

Recently, Ed Sheeran set the record for the largest crowd at a concert in BC Place with 65,061 fans.

All of these events happened in a building that turned 40 in 2023.

Film footage shows BC Place construction in early 1980s

Back when it was new, this five-minute film was made to show the monumental effort that went into the construction of the megaproject.

The video shows the city site as it was just after groundbreaking in 1981, with massive concrete blocks and girders being put into place.

Welders, cranes, and a surprising number of men working with their shirts off or partially off also feature prominently in the video.

It wraps up with the roof being put in place and the great inflation. It was actually a civic event that a crowd gathered for in 1982.

Time lapse footage at the end of the film shows the roof rising from inside and outside, like a great whoopie cushion next to False Creek