Tag Archive for 'Paralympic Village'

2010 Olympic Transportation plan a success – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Published on May 7, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Citizens urged to keep travelling smart as changes to the road network remain for Paralympic Winter Games

Vancouver, BC – The Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) today thanked the people of Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky regions for making the 2010 integrated Olympic transportation plan a success, while urging people to keep traveling smart in view of changes to the transportation network for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Transportation planners – charged with one of the most complex and critical elements of the Games – set the lofty goal of achieving at least a 30 per cent reduction in vehicle use during the Olympic Games, in order to ensure athletes, officials and others could get to their events on time and local residents could move efficiently.

Throughout the Games, Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky corridor saw record numbers of people walking, cycling and taking transit, and an overall reduction in vehicle use.  In particular, vehicle use was reduced by an average of more than 35 per cent each day. In addition, TransLink, the public transit operator in Metro Vancouver, moved an average of 1.5 million people per day during the Games, an increase from 730,000 trips per day, while BC Transit, the public transportation provider in the Sea to Sky corridor, saw five times the ridership on the public transit system over normal winter levels.

Paralympic transportation plans

Venues

Building on this success, the OPTT is reminding the public to continue to ‘travel smart’ during the Paralympic Winter Games. While most road networks have been returned to normal, some closures and parking restrictions remain around Paralympic venues during the transition to and throughout the Paralympic Games. These areas include UBC Thunderbird Arena, the Vancouver Paralympic Centre, Paralympic Village Vancouver and BC Place (for March 12 Opening Ceremony). In Whistler, these areas include Whistler Creekside and Paralympic Village Whistler. The public is asked to continue to use sustainable modes of transportation throughout the month of March 2010 and beyond. Details of the 2010 integrated Paralympic transportation plan are outlined in the attached fact sheet. 

“We were very happy with the transportation choices that everyone made during the Olympic Winter Games,,” Penny Ballem, city manager of the City of Vancouver said on behalf of the OPTT. “With fewer changes to the road network during the Paralympic Winter Games, we encourage residents, commuters and visitors to continue to leave their vehicles behind and walk, cycle or take transit to get around during this period.”

“It’s important we ensure our Paralympic athletes and other guests have a smooth, positive experience here during the Games,” added Terry Wright, VANOC executive vice president, services and Games operations. “With road closures, parking restrictions and increased volumes around Paralympic Games venues, traveling smart is still the way to go and everyone should know before they go.”

Paralympic Torch relay and Opening Ceremony March 11 and 12

The public is also reminded the Paralympic torch relay will be underway in downtown Vancouver from 2 pm on March 11 to 2 pm on March 12. The current proposed route is a loop that will involve areas along Robson, Granville and Smithe Streets. Traffic will continue to flow on most major streets, however, there will be road closures and restrictions to vehicle traffic along a few blocks of Robson, Smithe, Granville and Bute. Other cross streets will remain open with rolling intermittent road closures as the torch runs past. Commuters are advised to find alternate routes and modes of transportation around the Robson Square area for March 11 and 12.

In addition, temporary road closures and pedestrian corridors will be in place in downtown Vancouver on March 12 to support the Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony at BC Place. Cambie Bridge, as well as portions of Beatty Street and Robson Street will be closed for most of the day on March 12, so driving will be challenging. Up to date information will be made available on the Host City website through travelsmart2010.ca,so that everyone can plan ahead.

Other transportation highlights

  • Public transportation service will reflect the anticipated number of transit riders during the Paralympic Games, with event level service planned to serve Paralympic venues in Vancouver, and the Games Express service continuing in Whistler.
  • Paralympic Games event tickets include access to public transit for the day of the event.
  • Olympic lanes removed in Vancouver as of March 2, though a temporary Paralympic lane will remain on Highway 99 in Whistler from Function Junction to the Village.
  • Sea to Sky traffic checkpoint removed as of March 1; no permits required to travel north of Squamish.
  • Lane demarcations on Highway 99 will be removed between March 1 and 5.

For the most up-to-date transportation information, visit www.travelsmart2010.ca.

About the OPTT

Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) are VANOC, the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Planning is also supported by other partners, including Transport Canada and the municipalities of Richmond and West Vancouver.

VANOC board of directors declare Vancouver and Whistler ready to host the world in 23 days – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on January 21, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Arrival of Olympic Flame in British Columbia heralds final leg of journey towards 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Vancouver, BC — With just 23 days remaining before the world is welcomed to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the board of directors — in their final meeting before the Games begin — gave their seal of approval to the finishing touches the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is preparing on behalf of all Canadians for a worldwide audience.

“The board is confident the organizing committee and its partners are well prepared to meet the extraordinary day-to-day challenges of hosting one of the largest international sporting events,” said board chairman Rusty Goepel. “Many hurdles have been overcome in the past few months —both with ingenuity and a lot of long hours by dedicated staff, contractors and volunteers, which will make all Canadians proud.”

Among the general updates discussed was the final leg of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, whichofficially starts Thursday when the Olympic Flame re-enters British Columbia, the Host Province of the Games, through the Rocky Mountains and into the town of Golden. The flame will complete its 106-day journey across Canada towards BC Place and light the Olympic Cauldron on February 12, welcoming the world to the Games.

“Tomorrow will be an incredibly exciting day for all of us involved in the 2010 Winter Games as we welcome the Olympic Flame back to British Columbia. It’s been an inspiring relay throughout Canada with warm welcomes extended everywhere leading to a steadily growing excitement towards the Games. We are truly in the home stretch now of final preparations to welcome the world,” Goepel continued.

Peter Lougheed, who was instrumental in the securing and organizing of the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games, will pass the flame to Wally Buono, head coach of the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions, as it officially enters British Columbia through Kicking Horse Pass. The pass, the highest point on the Canadian Pacific Railway at 1,627 metres, is a national historic site and played an important role in connecting Canadians to each other and the world through the railway in the 1880s and later on with the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway in the 1960s.

“It’s been a remarkable journey up to this point and we take a moment now and again, like today, to enjoy the moment but then it’s back to work asour team continues to work around the clock to make sure every detail is tended to,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of VANOC. “The relay continues to showcase what a marvelous and beautiful country Canada is, filled with people willing to share their amazing stories and show lots and lots of heart. We hope you’ll all be with us in spirit, if not in person, on February 12.”

Today, the board of directors also discussed the following updates:

  • CypressMountain: A light snow fell late last week on the Olympic venue as the venue team continues to work 24 hours a day to preserve and protect the integrity of the snowboard and freestyle skiing courses. After days of unseasonably warm and wet weather, VANOC and Cypress Mountain management agreed on January 13 to close the ski resort’s alpine runs to the public. The snow management and snow harvesting program for the Games remains on track and contingency plans are in place to deliver an exceptional field of play for athletes.

  • Transportation: The third and final phase of the 2010 Winter Games integrated transportation plan was launched on January 12 and detailed temporary street closures planned in the City of Vancouver on February 10, 12 and 28 and March 12. The closures are necessary to help ensure successful ceremonies.

As the third week of the TravelSmart 2010 Challenge takes place on Friday, January 22, there is more work to be done to encourage drivers who frequently travel by car in downtown Vancouver to start practising their Games-time travel plans now. This week’s road closure is Renfrew Street between McGill and Dundas (as of January 24).

To date, 50 per cent of tickets available on the Olympic bus network (OBN) have been booked. All spectators must purchase these tickets for travel to events at Cypress Mountain, and spectators originating from Metro Vancouver attending events in the Whistler area will also require tickets on the OBN.  VANOC is encouraging all spectators to book as there is no public parking at any of the Games venues and daily traffic restrictions are in place for vehicles attempting to drive northbound on the Sea to Sky Highway during Games time.

  • Venue Overlay: VANOC’s overlay teams are continuing to work on the complex process of making Games venues ready for the world’s top winter athletes and spectators. Overlay and the construction of temporary structures, such as bleachers and tents, are substantially complete at the mountain venues and work is progressing well at city venues.

The athletes’ villages in Vancouver and Whistler anticipate the first arrival of team delegates on January 28, withformal openings scheduled for February 4. More than 80 country flags will soon be hoisted on flagpoles at the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver. The dining halls in the villages are substantially complete, and furniture, fixtures and equipment load-in ison schedule.

  • Finance: The project remains on target to finish with a balanced budget. Procurement is largely complete for numerous goods and services. Information is posted at www.vancouver2010.com once contracts are finalized.

  • Ticketing: Tickets are still available online at www.vancouver2010.com/tickets or by calling the call centre (1.800.TICKETS). Main Ticket Centres in downtown Vancouver at Robson Square (at the UBC Bookstore), the Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre (located at Plaza Level, 200 Burrard St.), and in Whistler continue to serve customers daily, with venue box offices opening on the first day of competition.

  • Licensing and Merchandise: Olympic merchandise continues to sell well and the Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens continue to be a hot item beyond expectations. More than 1.8 million pairs have been sold since the launch last fall and inventory has been added in advance of the Games. More than 725,000 units of plush mascots have also been sold to date.

  • Workforce: All planned Games-time recruitment has been completed. VANOC’s recruitment strategy included: a student sponsorship program, secondee program, in-house recruitment, and outsourced recruitment with a service provider. Approximately 1,100 employees were recruited in six weeks.

  • Accreditation: Since the Uniform and Accreditation Centre in Vancouver (UAV) opened at the Pacific Coliseum on December 14 and two other accreditation centres opened earlier this month at the Main Media Centre in downtown Vancouver and in Whistler, more than 25,000 people, including 100 press and 1,200 broadcasters, have received their accreditations for the Olympic Winter Games. On the UAV’s busiest upcoming days, between February 4 and February 11, the centre will serve up to 840 people per day (uniforms) and 3,000 people per day (accreditations). More accreditation centres are opening this month at the athletes’ villages, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the Olympic Family hotel.

  • Cultural Olympiad: The Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad officially launches on Friday with the opening of the newly expanded version of Joni Mitchell’s The Fiddle and the Drum by the Alberta Ballet. More than 200 projects are part of the lineup of music, theatre, visual arts, dance, and digital programmingtaking place in Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky region until March 21, 2010. The Cultural Olympiad program guide is now available for free throughout the Games region. Tickets are available at www.vancouver2010.com.

  • Bilingual Experience at the Games: Last week, the Government of Canada announced the signing of an agreement between the federal government, the federal Translation Bureau and VANOC. Additional translators from the bureau are relocating and will provide services as needed — both at VANOC headquarters and the Main Media Centre (MMC).

  • Paralympic Torch Relay: The application window for torchbearer spots on the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay closed on January 6 with thousands of applications received by the Province of British Columbia at www.YouGottaBeHere.ca. Successful applicants will be confirmed in early February. The relay starts on March 3 in Ottawa, ON.

VANOC Board of Directors Background
The VANOC board of directors is made up of 19 members nominated by: the Canadian Olympic Committee (seven); the Government of Canada (three); the Province of British Columbia (three); the City of Vancouver (two); the Resort Municipality of Whistler (two); the Canadian Paralympic Committee (one); a joint appointment by the Band Councils of the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations (one).

The board is scheduled to meet six times per year, and more often at the call of the chair as required. The meetings are generally held at the VANOC offices in Vancouver, although they have been occasionally hosted by our Games partners in other locations. The board’s responsibility is to oversee the conduct of the business of VANOC as it works toward achieving its Mission: to touch the soul of the nation and inspire the world by creating and delivering an extraordinary Olympic and Paralympic experience with lasting legacies.

As part of its commitment to public transparency and accountability, the VANOC board of directors has made today’s agenda, discussion topics and decisions available to the public on www.vancouver2010.com, subject to conditions of confidentiality related to personal information and/or competitively sensitive or privileged information. VANOC is also committed to hosting media briefings following each board meeting with the board chairman, the CEO and other director(s) or members of the VANOC senior management team to elaborate further on matters.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

Vancouver 2010 Terry Fox Award to honour Olympian who touches world with courage, humility and extraordinary athletic abilities at 2010 Winter Games – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on December 23, 2009 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Ottawa, ON ? The name of an everyday hero, who continues to touch the hearts of Canadians three decades after his ambitious cross-country run to find a cure for cancer, will be etched on a brand-new award presented to an athlete competing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. 

The Vancouver 2010 Terry Fox Award will be presented during a public ceremony in downtown Vancouver on February 27, 2010 to an Olympian, who may be from any country participating in the Games. 

 “Few people have touched the soul of this great nation like Terry Fox did on his Marathon of Hope in 1980 and continue to do so every year as hundreds of thousands of Canadians remember him on runs held from coast to coast to coast in support of cancer research,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). 

Furlong announced the creation of the award today with the Fox family at an event in Ottawa, ON, held in an area across from the Parliament Buildings that contains an iconic statue of the legendary young amputee runner from Port Coquitlam, BC, and the countdown clock for the 2010 Winter Games. 

 “This award will be presented to an athlete who embodies the same values that Terry Fox did,” Furlong continued. “This athlete will be someone who is the epitome of determination in motion, who pushed on no matter what the pain or obstacles in their path and touched Canada and the world by displaying humility and selflessness in their treatment of others both on and off the field of play – a veritable hero.”

The athlete will be selected by a small panel comprised of well-known CTV sportscaster Brian Williams, Olympian and VANOC board member Charmaine Crooks, a member of the Fox Family, and Tricia Smith, an honorary mayor of the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver during the Olympic Winter Games.

“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of John Furlong and the VANOC team to acknowledge Terry in 2010 ? a year that marks the 30th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope,” said his brother, Darrell Fox. “As a teenager, Terry was an avid athlete in basketball, soccer and rugby and would be proud to be recognized on the world stage as part of the Olympic Winter Games.”

On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox set out with little fanfare from St. John’s, NL, on an ambitious ? and at that time unheard of ? cross-country run to help raise funds for cancer research. The image of him running with a prosthetic leg, the result of a bone cancer diagnosis and amputation at age 18, made a deep and emotional impact on Canadians as he ran on his Marathon of Hope and they opened their hearts and their wallets for his cause.

After running 143 days and 5,373 kilometres through Atlantic Canada, Quebec and much of Ontario, his journey was cut short outside of Thunder Bay, ON, on September 1, 1980 when cancer appeared in his lungs. He passed away at the age 22 on June 28, 1981 but his dream lives on with annual Terry Fox Runs throughout Canada and internationally. To date, close to $500 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in his name and his journey has inspired others to follow in his footsteps. For more information, visit www.terryfox.org.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com


Concord Pacific named Official Supplier of 2010 Winter Games – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on December 23, 2009 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Vancouver, BC? With 66 days to go until Canada’s Games begin, Concord Pacific Developments, Inc. (Concord Pacific), and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced today the Vancouver, BC-based company has been named an Official Supplier for the upcoming Games. 

Under the agreement, Concord Pacific will make a financial investment in the Games as well as provide land for VANOC’s use in preparation for and during the Games as part of a value-in-kind agreement. This includes access to 4.8-hectares of land on north False Creek adjacent to Concord Place Exposition and Activity Zone. The land will be used as staging areas for a number of critical back-of-house activities, including: security, broadcast, workforce, and ceremonies. In return, Concord Pacific will have rights to market and promote within the real estate development product and service category for the 2010 Winter Games and rights to associate with the Canadian Olympic Teams competing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the London 2012 Olympic Games. The company also made a significant monetary contribution to the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) earlier this year. 

“As Canada’s leading developer of master planned communities, we at Concord Pacific believe we have a commitment to build the fabric of communities that goes far beyond contributing amenities and building homes,” explained company president Terry Hui. “Our company has been a proud sponsor of citywide community events and charities for over 20 years in Vancouver and a supporter of the 2010 Winter Games since the initial bid. 

“The excitement ramping up in the final days before the world’s best come here to compete at venues all around us is contagious,” he continued. “We’re ecstatic about stepping up even further to become an Official Supplier of the 2010 Winter Games.”

The last phase of Concord Pacific Place, located along the False Creek in downtown Vancouver, is the development site that connects the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver to Canada Hockey Place and BC Place. 

“We’re excited to officially welcome Concord Pacific into our sponsorship family for the 2010 Winter Games,” said John Furlong, VANOC’s CEO. “Staging the Games in a city surrounded by the ocean and the mountains provides a beautiful backdrop but unique space challenges. However, through the commitments of partners like Concord Pacific, we’ve been able to access the areas we need to operate successfully in constrained spaces and we’re grateful for their support as we enter the final planning stages towards delivering great Games in 2010.” 

About Concord Pacific and Concord Adex
Concord Pacific is a proud community supporter of annual citywide events and a contributor to various charities year after year. Concord is a developer of multi-phased, master planned residential neighbourhoods that are strategically designed to enhance the lifestyles of its residents. The company’s legacy as a master-planned community developer began with Concord Pacific Place on the former Expo `86 grounds on Vancouver’s False Creek waterfront. This project has steadily transformed the city’s skyline and redefined urban living. To date, Concord Pacific Place includes more than 10,000 homes, intermixed with parks, schools and a variety of retail and commercial services. The final phase of the community will transform the northeastern shore of False Creek into a truly sustainable community with innovative architecture and engaging public spaces of world-class scale and use. 

Concord Pacific is also creating new communities across Canada such as Concord Adex Developments in Ontario including CityPlace in Toronto and Concord Park Place north of Toronto; Porteau Cove just north of West Vancouver; Concord Gateway in Richmond and Park Place Community in Central City, Surrey BC. For more information, visit www.concordpacific.com. 

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

VANOC’s marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport.  VANOC’s worldwide TOP Partners include Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, General Electric, McDonalds, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.  VANOC’s National Partners are Bell Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company, RBC Financial Group, General Motors of Canada, Petro-Canada, and RONA. 

VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, BC Hydro, Bombardier, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), Jet Set Sports, Ricoh Canada, Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Resources. 

VANOC’s Official Suppliers are 3M, Acklands-Grainger, Aggreko, ALDA Pharmaceuticals Corp., Aquilini Investment Group, Birks, Britco, Canada Post, Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, Canwest Publishing, COLD-FX, Concord Pacific, Deloitte, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Garrett Metal Detectors, General Mills, Hain Celestial Canada, Haworth Canada, Jackson Triggs, Karl’s Global Events Inc,. La Presse, Millennium Development Corp., Molson, Nike Canada Corp., Nortel, Offsetters, Port Metro Vancouver, Purolator Courier Ltd., Saputo, Sleep Country Canada, Sun Microsystems of Canada, The Globe and Mail, Tickets.com, TransCanada, Vancouver Airport Authority, Weston Bakeries, Workopolis and Wrigley Canada.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com