Critics are accusing the B.C. government and PavCo of trying to fool taxpayers about who will pay for the new BC Place roof now that plans for a mega casino on adjoining land have been scrapped.
The province has been clear that development of the land adjoining BC Place will help the BC Pavilion Corporation repay a $150-million loan for the ambitious retractable roof installation at the stadium.
But after Vancouver city council unanimously voted down the massive Paragon Gaming casino complex proposed for the land Tuesday, the plan for repayment became slightly muddier.
Tourism Minister Pat Bell now says that stadium renovation funding doesn't depend on developing the land around BC Place.
"The funding was approved through the Treasury Board process. It is isolated from any independent deals with regards to this casino or an expansion or anything else to do with the Paragon development," he said.
However, the Treasury Board spends public funds.
Opposition NDP critic Spencer Chandra Herbert told CTV News that the BC Liberal government is trying to "hoodwink" the public.
"The minister is now admitting what they lied about to begin with. They tried to claim it wouldn't cost us anything -- it would pay for itself. Well no, we pay the ... cost of that roof," he said.
Earlier this month, PavCo had warned that it would be unable to pay for the $564-million roof and other repairs without the casino, but Chairman David Podmore has changed his tune since then.
"The roof is fully budgeted at the present time and it will proceed and be completed as planned," he told reporters after the council vote Tuesday.
PavCo did not respond to requests for further comment.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Brent Shearer
