Re-roofing a 1930 arena without missing a game

A 96-year-old arena does not stay in use by accident. Queens Park Arena in New Westminster has hosted games, events, and community gatherings since it opened in 1930. When the building envelope needed serious attention, the city faced a choice: close the venue or find a contractor who could work around the schedule. Heritage building re-roofing BC projects get real in situations like this - not in theory, but with an active facility that cannot go dark.

The roof was failing. Water was finding its way through the insulation, and the structure beneath was beginning to show signs of stress. A complete re-roof could not wait. The challenge was that every game and every event was counted on. The city needed the work done without shutting down.

50,175 sq ft and a live event calendar

We replaced 50,175 square feet of insulated membrane roofing. That is not a patch job. It is a full envelope replacement on a large commercial structure, with all the complexity that comes with insulation management, proper flashings around penetrations and roof-mounted equipment, and the need to keep water out during what can be BC's rainiest months.

Every section was scheduled around the building's calendar. We worked with city staff and the events team to phase the work around games, tournaments, and municipal events. Some sections had to be completed in tight windows - between events when the building was empty, or early mornings before doors opened. Weather delays compressed the schedule further. We planned for that too.

That meant detailed planning before the first crew member stepped on the building: which sections could come off when, how to stage materials so they were not in the way, how to protect access and egress for staff moving through the building while membrane work was happening overhead.

Technical requirements on a heritage building

Heritage does not mean old and weak. It means built to standards that may differ from today's, with materials and construction methods that need to be understood before you change them. The insulation system had to meet current performance codes, but the existing structure and details had their own logic that we respected.

The membrane system was specified for the climate - heavy rain, coastal wind, potential for ponding if drains get blocked. We used proper insulation thickness, sloped the deck correctly, and paid close attention to flashing details around penetrations and roof-mounted equipment. Every seam sealed. Every penetration cored and detailed.

Sheet-metal work complemented the new membrane system. Custom flashings, parapet caps, and edge details had to fit both the existing building and current best practices for drainage and wind resistance. That level of detail is what makes a roof last, especially on a public building that cannot afford a leak mid-season.

Heritage building re-roofing BC: staying open is a real option

The arena stayed open. Games happened. Staff came to work. A major re-roof does not have to mean a shutdown - it requires a realistic schedule and respect for how the client's building actually operates.

That same approach works for other buildings with ongoing operations: schools needing work done between terms, retail tenants who cannot close, municipal facilities running a public calendar. The coordination takes time, but it costs less than closing.

Queens Park Arena is a landmark. It serves its community. The roof keeps the building dry and the events going. If you have a heritage building or commercial structure that needs re-roofing and cannot shut down to do it, call us at 250-336-8088 for a free estimate - we will tell you exactly what the work involves and what it takes to keep the lights on while we do it.