Birdair, Inc. Selected to Retrofit Canada Place’s Iconic Sail Roof

Birdair, Inc., the leading specialty contractor of lightweight long-span roofing systems and tensile structures throughout the world, has been selected to provide the updated tensile roofing system for Canada Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As the manufacturer of Canada Place’s original sail fabric, Birdair is proud to be a part of this project.

Birdair will serve as roofing sub-contractor for the Vancouver landmark, replacing the structure’s current roof with 91,210 square feet of TiO₂-coated PTFE fiberglass fabric membrane that matches the original five-sail design installed in 1985.

The fabric membrane specified for Canada Place is PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, fiberglass coated with non-toxic and flame-resistant TiO₂(titanium dioxide) that requires less maintenance due to its self- cleaning capabilities. The material is also highly durable, weather and fire resistant, and could have a project life expectancy exceeding 30 years.

The $21-million project will be financed through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, a key component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Economic Action Plan is aimed at creating jobs and supporting industry, while contributing to the economic health of the country.

A symbol of culture, tourism and economic activity, Canada Place hosts three million visitors per year and generates approximately $1 billion in economic impact annually for the local economy. Canada Place houses the Port Metro Vancouver cruise ship terminal and corporate office, the Vancouver Convention Centre East, the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, the World Trade Centre office tower and the VINCI parkade.