Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal - Vancouver, BC

Canada Place Retrofit Project – Port of Vancouver

A landmark on Vancouver’s waterfront, Canada Place is instantly recognizable by its iconic sail-like fabric roof. It serves as home to the Pan Pacific Hotel and is a major departure point for Alaskan cruise passengers. As the region’s primary cruise ship terminal, welcoming over 300 vessels annually, maintaining operational efficiency is critical across all facility systems.

In 2017, the Port of Vancouver initiated a project to retrofit the lighting and lighting control systems on two key levels of the facility—the 4,000 and 10,000 levels. Electrical contractors were invited to submit proposals that met the port’s core requirements:

• A robust controls system with Bluetooth Asset Tracking and Heat Mapping capabilities

• An upgrade from fluorescent to LED luminaires to enhance energy efficiency and reduce operating costs

• Uniform fixture design across both levels to maintain visual consistency

Lighting Solution: Corelite's The Bridge

The Bridge by Cooper Lighting Solutions: Corelite was selected as the primary luminaire for the retrofit. Available in multiple sizes to ensure a seamless look throughout both levels, its standout feature is performance. The fixture’s indirect lighting, powered by WaveStream™ optics, delivers high-lumen output without the harsh glare common in traditional troffers. Additionally, The Bridge supports air return through perforated edges, promoting continuous airflow to and from the plenum.

Advanced Controls for a High-Security Environment

The 10,000 level, a high-security zone where more than 900,000 passengers clear border customs annually, posed a unique challenge. Constantly reconfigured with partitions, the space required a flexible and intelligent controls system. Cooper Lighting Solutions: Controls delivered with integrated heat mapping, allowing operators to monitor and adjust lighting levels remotely. Bluetooth Asset Tracking further enhanced operational efficiency by enabling precise location of tagged equipment—even within rearranged layouts.

Project Results and Impact

Since the project's completion in 2019, the Port of Vancouver has reported a fixture failure rate of less than 1%, with all issues covered under the extended warranty program. The success of the retrofit underscores the reliability of the chosen solutions and their positive impact on energy efficiency and the working environment.

As proud residents of the Lower Mainland, we take great pride in contributing to the enhancement of one of Vancouver’s most iconic facilities.