VANCOUVER - The roof of Vancouver's Canada Place will be getting a $21-million upgrade after the 2010 Winter Games.

The federal government announced Saturday that it would set aside the funds to replace roof including the building's iconic sails.

"This is an important investment in a Canadian icon," said Mike Shardlow, president of Canada Place Corporation. "Canada Place's ongoing financial and national contributions are particularly critical at this time, supporting the economy and representing Canada on the West Coast."

Shardlow said that Canada Place creates $1 billion in economic activity every year.

The money will be used to replace the building's fabric roof with a higher-quality teflon-coated fibreglass.

"Where this fabric lasted 20 years, the new fabric will last thirty years," Shardlow said. "After two and a half decades the technology has improved to the point that it will be stronger and will wear longer."

None of the roof's structural elements will be replaced.

The project is slated to break ground in May after the building wraps up its duties as the official media centre for the 2010 Winter Games.

The funding will come from the government's $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which invests in construction ready projects that are slated for completion before March 2011.

"By investing in the Canada Place roof, we are creating local jobs and ensuring that this building remains a world-recognized Canadian landmark for decades to come," said James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage in a statement.

Funding is conditional on a final contribution agreement and the project meeting all the requirements of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, including an on-time and on-budget delivery.

If Canada Place Corporation cannot deliver the project on-time and on-budget, they will be liable for the extra costs.

Work crews are no stranger to Canada Place. Construction has been ongoing for several weeks as crews recoat the cables and metal fittings for the roof to protect them from the corrosion caused by their proximity to the ocean.

"The actual replacement work will begin immediately after the Olympic Games in May as we are the media centre for the Olympics and the work will be concluded by the end of 2010."

rtebrake@vancouversun.com