[Fairbanks]

How do you all feel about beginning a thread following the construction progress of all 2010 Olympic Const. sites including the villages and all venues?

Fairbanks

[towerguy3]

Yes, great idea. Will the Waterfront Stadium be ready for 2010 if they have to build pilings over the Seabus Terminal?

The Canada Line is now arcing over the Arthur Laing Bridge. Lanes are being closed. The engineering behind this is similar to when they built the Millenium Line over Hwy 1.

How is the Speed Skating Oval in Richmond coming along? I understand they had to preload the soil for a substantial amount of time. Any cracks in the foundation?

On the crack in foundation topic, I hear there are cracks in the foundation of Burj Dubai. What a nightmare scenario that would be

[mr.x2]

1,170 kilogram Olympic and Paralympic time piece under installation: Free noon hour celebration and unveiling, Vancouver Art Gallery Monday, Feb. 12
February 9, 2007 | VANOC News Release

What’s six metres high, three metres wide, weighs 1,170 kilograms and is wrapped in a 15 metre by 12 metre gift box from Omega on the Vancouver Art Gallery’s northwest corner in downtown Vancouver?

It’s the new Vancouver 2010 Countdown Clock, presented by Omega, Official Timekeeper. Preparations are underway to unveil it to the citizens of Vancouver, rain or shine, in a fast-paced noon hour celebration on Monday, February 12 – the three-year anniversary to the start of the 2010 Winter Games.

The Countdown Clock will log the hours, minutes and seconds remaining until the Games begin. An impressive sculpture, it will be permanently located on the Georgia Street Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery – a fixture that residents of Vancouver and visitors alike will be able to enjoy both before and after the Games.

The site is a hive of activity for the final few days before the celebration and clock unveiling on Monday. Later today the large white box will be removed to reveal a smaller white box that will conceal the countdown clock until it is unveiled. The Countdown Clock will be fully installed and tested this weekend and surrounding landscaping will be completed.

The clock will be unveiled at a lively event featuring the sonorous sounds of one of the world’s leading Alphorn players in honour of Switzerland-based Omega’s visit to Vancouver for the clock unveiling. It will also include a First Nations welcome, remarks from distinguished guests including Olympic and Paralympic athletes and video showcasing great sports finishes in Games history, culminating in the grand finale – the Countdown Clock unveiling.

Distinguished guests and athletes in attendance will include:
Officials:
*
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics
*
The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier, Province of British Columbia
*
His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor, City of Vancouver
*
Stephen Urquhart, President of Omega
*
Jack Poole, Board Chair, VANOC
*
John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer, VANOC
*
Representatives from the Four Host First Nations
Olympic and Paralympic medallists:
*
Jeff Pain, Silver Medallist, Skeleton, Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games
*
Lauren Woolstencroft, gold and silver medallist, Alpine Skiing, Turin 2006 Paralympic Winter Games




Something tells me it's gonna look like Ilanaaq.....or it's gonna be a log cabin......or it's going to be made out of stone. This will also be the first ever Olympic clock to countdown both the Olympics and the Paralympics.

[SpongeG]

did anyone read the two page spread in the sun on monday i think of all the venues and their progress etc.

it was a pretty interesting piece

[mr.x2]

did anyone read the two page spread in the sun on monday i think of all the venues and their progress etc.

it was a pretty interesting piece

yep. we're doing very well, and much better than Athens and Torino. Even all of our venues will be completed two years early.....Beijing's venues will be completed a year before they have their Games.

[towerguy3]

My numbers say the Olympics will cost about $ 3.7 billion:

Olympic construction: $ 600 million

Sea to Sky Hwy: $ 600 million

Canada Line: $1.7 billion

Convention Center: $ 800 million

I consider Olympic costs to be anything that has to be ready by 2010. My accounting accurate?

[SFUVancouver]

You can't do that

The Sea-to-Sky Highway, RAV/Canada Line, and Convention Centre Expansion were all going to happen anyway, those aren't Olympic costs. They may be incurring added costs to be completed on time but don't mistake the two.

By that logic all of the normal City roadwork, landscaping, streetcleaning, repairs, etc. that are going to be done leading up to the Olympics will be Olympic costs. The same goes for the new Hotels, restuarants, condos, shops, etc.

Athen's over-the-top Olympic costs included a new international airport, national highway system, subway, light rail system, and national rail system. These were all expenditures made possible because they joined the European Monetary Union and thus were eligable for $40Billion Euros in loans. These projects were planned and initiated before they got the games and cannot be considered Olympic costs.

Venue construction and operational costs are a whole different story, of course.

[mr.x2]

My numbers say the Olympics will cost about $ 3.7 billion:

Olympic construction: $ 600 million

Sea to Sky Hwy: $ 600 million

Canada Line: $1.7 billion

Convention Center: $ 800 million

I consider Olympic costs to be anything that has to be ready by 2010. My accounting accurate?

Like SFU said, you've got it all wrong.

Not only that, you got the Canada Line cost wrong as well.

[smasher000]

mr x2 u always jump at the chance to gang up on somebody and say that "yeah i agree with so and so, you've got it ALL wrong" ... you're quite rude about it

[mr.x2]

mr x2 u always jump at the chance to gang up on somebody and say that "yeah i agree with so and so, you've got it ALL wrong" ... you're quite rude about it

No, i'm just sick that so many people are misinformed or are just ignorant about the real and actual cost of these Games.....and much of it has to do with how the media likes to sensationalize this.

[agrant]

Coming up with a total for costs (for Olympics) is not so simple, depends on how you look at it. I think of most 'Olympic', or pre-olympic construction as just a list of projects which are condensed into a much tighter schedule than normal to meet a deadline (2010). What we will likely get in return is often left out of the equation. The growth around Vancouver..., there is no end in sight from what I've been told, is due in large part because of the games. Most of the projects are going to stick around or be converted to other uses after the games... so I cringe when anyone talks about the "cost of the Olympics". Better to talk about specific projects or things like security rather than trying to lump everything together.

[towerguy3]

Funny how you think the RAV Line, Sea to Sky Highway and Convention Center are not Olympic-related costs, yet in their contracts there are specific requirements that the projects have to be completed by 2010.

So if it's not important that those projects be done by 2010, why is the Government so anxious about timelines and deadlines? They are constantly priding to the media how all of these projects will be done ahead of 2010.

So if the projects are not important to the Olympics, then I suppose it's alright if they finish by 2011 or 2012? Why such a big push?

While the projects may not have been included in the original bid book, you don't think they're completion isn't important for 2010?

How about when that IOC official from Germany climbed out of that SUV after travelling the Sea To Sky and proclaimed to the media "It's too long a trip"? The media crowded around him like they did around Britney Spears after she shaved her head. It was a media circus. Those words "It's too long a trip" hit the media like a bomb.

The highway had to be improved by 2010 for the safety of all spectators, athletes and media travelling the thing.

The IOC wanted assurances that all these projects will be completed by 2010, and if we couldn't guarantee that, then that might have affected our chances of winning.

Recall we won by only 3 votes. We could easily have lost the thing to Pyonchang.

The total cost of the Canada Line is pegged at $ 1.7 billion or more. That has been reported in the media. How else are we going to transport the thousands of people arriving at the Airport to attend the Games? Why do you think they created a special station at the Olympic Village called Olympic Station? That serves no useful purpose for 2010? It's completion before 2010 isn't important? Come on!

The Convention Center has to be completed by 2010 as it will house the Broadcast Center for 15,000 media to cover the Games. It's completion isn't important? Not only is the Governmnet worried about the cost overruns but whether the damn thing will be completed in time.

Where shall we house the 10,000 media if the Convention Center isn't finished in time, coral them into the Agrodome?

Yes, Canada Line, Sea To Sky Hwy and Convention Center are Olympic related costs. They have to be completed by the start of the Olympics.

[tintinium]

Officially they weren't billed as Olympic projects... but realistically... we all know otherwise but refuse to admit it.

[mr.x2]

Funny how you think the RAV Line, Sea to Sky Highway and Convention Center are not Olympic-related costs, yet in their contracts there are specific requirements that the projects have to be completed by 2010.

So if it's not important that those projects be done by 2010, why is the Government so anxious about timelines and deadlines? They are constantly priding to the media how all of these projects will be done ahead of 2010.

So if the projects are not important to the Olympics, then I suppose it's alright if they finish by 2011 or 2012? Why such a big push?

The RAV Line was planned already way back in the 70s and serious planning began in the 90s, before any thought of a Olympic bid began. Same with the convention centre expansion......the provincial government has been looking at expanding eversince the early 90s. And with the Sea-to-Sky highway, the Ministry had plans to upgrade and expand the highway anyway by 2012 (bridges over streams and rivers are 4 lanes while the opposite ends are just two ends; designed to be expanded in the future).

These projects were already going to be built, so they may as well just be fastracked a year or two earlier and be given more of a priority. There's also the fact that they do not want the city to look like a gigantic construction zone during the Games.



How about when that IOC official from Germany climbed out of that SUV after travelling the Sea To Sky and proclaimed to the media "It's too long a trip"? The media crowded around him like they did around Britney Spears after she shaved her head. It was a media circus. Those words "It's too long a trip" hit the media like a bomb.

The highway had to be improved by 2010 for the safety of all spectators, athletes and media travelling the thing.

You mean Geihard Heiberg who was in charge of the IOC evaluation team.

Like I said before, highway improvements were planned with or without 2010....and you cannot deny that this road does not need improvements. We've seen so much lost of life, accidents, and slides....all of which are unnecessary.



The total cost of the Canada Line is pegged at $ 1.7 billion or more. That has been reported in the media. How else are we going to transport the thousands of people arriving at the Airport to attend the Games? Why do you think they created a special station at the Olympic Village called Olympic Station? That serves no useful purpose for 2010? It's completion before 2010 isn't important? Come on!

The total cost of the Canada Line is a little over $2 billion. The public's contribution (YVR, feds, province, city, Translink) is about $1.4 billion.

The original plan was to create Olympic lanes and transport people by buses. The Canada Line was not part of the bid committee's transportation plans.

"Olympic Village Station", not "Olympic Station", is being built because that is the site of the Southeast False Creek Redevelopment (SEFC) project. The Olympic Village is a tiny part of that project, right in the heart of it, and will house 4,000 people after the Games. SEFC by 2020 is to be filled with midrises, housing 15,000 people....it's the next development on the size of Concord Pacific, which is why it needs its own station for future planning sake.

It's called Olympic Village Station simply because the Olympic Village is near it....it has nothing to do with the need of the Olympics.



The Convention Center has to be completed by 2010 as it will house the Broadcast Center for 15,000 media to cover the Games. It's completion isn't important? Not only is the Governmnet worried about the cost overruns but whether the damn thing will be completed in time.

Where shall we house the 10,000 media if the Convention Center isn't finished in time, coral them into the Agrodome?

First you said 15,000, then you said 10,000. For the record, it's 10,000.

Yes they are a few months behind schedule, but the convention centre will be completed in time, and as I have already stated above the expansion was planned long before we won or even though about bidding. The convention centre is scheduled to be completed in 2008...i find it quite hard that even with the worse delays, they would not be ready by February 2010.

There may be some major cost overruns, but do not forget that the expanded facility has already had something like 50 advanced bookings. These conventions add hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of millions into our economy each year. It's a small investment to make, and we profit from it economically.

VANOC would've thought of something else, probably temporary, if the province had not come up to them and told them that they were building an expanded convention centre.



Get your facts right.....i hate it when people are so oblivious and ignorant about these costs.

[mr.x2]

I really hope they went with the first rendering......


Renderings of the new 7,500 seat hockey facility (5,500 after the Games), with 4 rinks, at UBC:
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8638/aaaventwscdk7.jpg
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3821/ubcwintersportscentremb1.jpg

[cornholio]

Until last year the broadcasting center was to be housed in Richmond, infact it was to be built in Richmond even after the convention center was aproved and costruction started. It wasent until VANOC started to try and cut costs here and there that they decided to scrap the Richmond location and make a deal to set it up in the new convention center being built downtown.

The Canada like many have said has been planed for a long time, it also doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out why it got fast tracked to be completed before 2010. I mean the cost benefit ratio of completion by 2010 rather then a couple years later was changed infavour of 2010, and no it does not only make it easier to transport people during the two week event, but it adds to the image of the city, beter markets the city, ads to the expereince of the millions of visitors, etc. These things are worth more then you might ever think.

The sea to sky highway like was said before was a project that was planed to be completed for 2012, it got fast tracked to 2010(thats 2 years).

Can you say these projects are part of the Olympics, sure now they are, but DO NOT ADD their costs to the cost of the Olympics..thats just so stupid...The only costs from these projects that you should add are the extra costs of fast tracking these projects, and then remeber to subtract the savings of having these projects completed sooner rather then later. Im going to take a wild guess and say that these projects contribute probably no more than a $100 mill to the cost of the Olympics.

So here is my ruff calculation:

Olympic construction: $ 600 million
Runing the Games: ?1000million(guesing it will be around a billion or so, if someone can give a beter number regaridng the cost of security/operating/biding/etc please do so, and yes i do feel their $200 mill or so security costs are to low unless they dont add the costs of using the Canadian military)

Costs of fast tracked projects: $ 100 million

So around $1.7-$2 billion.

At the moment they have something like $600 million or so in sponcerships and the TV revenue the the Olympic comitee should give VANCO looks like it may be in the $800 million range.

So so far things are looking good, as long as the costs stay relativly on budget it so far looks like BC might even turn a profit(add to that the exposure for the city which is hard to put a $ figure to but is worth in the billions), and this profit could end up being huge.

[bils]

hey everyone

i started a richmond oval thread a few months ago but i guess it didn't get updated and got cut. anyways, i paid a visit back to the site today and snapped a few pix. looks like it's coming along nicely.

http://bilsproductions.com/OVAL2.jpg

http://bilsproductions.com/OVAL1.jpg

http://bilsproductions.com/OVAL3.jpg

http://bilsproductions.com/OVAL4.jpg

let's keep this thread going, it's long overdue

[bils]

double post

[mr.x2]

Until last year the broadcasting center was to be housed in Richmond, infact it was to be built in Richmond even after the convention center was aproved and costruction started. It wasent until VANOC started to try and cut costs here and there that they decided to scrap the Richmond location and make a deal to set it up in the new convention center being built downtown.

When the IOC came over to inspect the city during the bid evaluation, they mentioned moving the International Broadcast Centre from Richmond to the new and improved facility in downtown, since the expanded facility would be enough to house both the IBC and Main Press Centre for a central Media Centre. The capacity was there, so VANOC decided to move the facility to a more compact location that would benefit the media.....not to mention its close to a ton of restaurants and hotels for the 10,000 media personnel.



The Canada like many have said has been planed for a long time, it also doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out why it got fast tracked to be completed before 2010. I mean the cost benefit ratio of completion by 2010 rather then a couple years later was changed infavour of 2010, and no it does not only make it easier to transport people during the two week event, but it adds to the image of the city, beter markets the city, ads to the expereince of the millions of visitors, etc. These things are worth more then you might ever think.

Don't forget that funding from the federal government was available at that time, and we had a Paul Martin Liberal government that seemed to be willing to fund anything we asked for. That's one major reason why this line is being built right now.

It's quite similar to what happened in Athens and Torino.....rapid transit rail lines that were already in planning were slightly fastracked to be built in time for the Games, because really these cities might as well.



The sea to sky highway like was said before was a project that was planed to be completed for 2012, it got fast tracked to 2010(thats 2 years).

Exactly. Two years, so what's your point? We might as well.




So here is my ruff calculation:

Olympic construction: $ 600 million
Runing the Games: ?1000million(guesing it will be around a billion or so, if someone can give a beter number regaridng the cost of security/operating/biding/etc please do so, and yes i do feel their $200 mill or so security costs are to low unless they dont add the costs of using the Canadian military)

Costs of fast tracked projects: $ 100 million

So around $1.7-$2 billion.

VANOC's budget is $2 billion: $580 million for venues (note that this includes a $110 million post-Games venue contingency), $1.3 billion for Games operational costs, and $180 million for security (I agree it's a bit too low, but i think they are transferring some of the costs to military security operations).

About $38 million was spent on the bidding process, but about $20 million of that was corporate sponsorships....the rest, public.



Costs of fast tracked projects: $ 100 million

Now that's just pure stupidity, pulling that figure out of your ass.



At the moment they have something like $600 million or so in sponcerships and the TV revenue the the Olympic comitee should give VANCO looks like it may be in the $800 million range.

America's NBC has paid US$820 million to broadcast 2010, and our own Globemedia/Rogers has paid CAN$151 million. Other tv contracts around the world have yet to be signed, or have been signed, and will all amount to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of millions. VANOC can expect to receive $500-650 million in tv revenues with IOC tv rights already rising 40% above Torino 2006 even though five major contracts have yet to be signed.

The IOC has already stated that they would give VANOC an increase based on a ratio to ratio basis with Torino and past Games.

In addition, VANOC has already 50% more in domestic sponsorships than they had originally estimated....now at more than $600 million. They are aiming for $800 million by the time the Games are over, and it's likely they will meet that target.

[mr.x2]

great pics bils, thanks!

[mr.x2]

Liberal arithmetic: $800 million so far is only 'in the range'
Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

VICTORIA - Finance Minister Carole Taylor says today's budget still won't have a take-it-to-the-bank costing for the Vancouver convention centre expansion, despite forecasts of another huge overrun on the troubled project.

"We say in the budget that it is in the range of $800 million," she told reporters Monday, echoing the number put out last week by minister-for-the-project Stan Hagen.

But "in the range" is as far as the finance minister is prepared to go at this stage: "I'm very careful."

Her hesitation arises from the fact that she's still waiting for an updated financial report from the provincial agency that is building the project on the Vancouver waterfront.

"Treasury Board has not received the report that will identify exactly where the costs are and how we will move forward," she explained. T-board is the cabinet's budget-making committee, which she chairs.

But Taylor agreed that, even without any further escalation, the project has gone well over budget.

"It is a concern," she conceded, adding that the feeling was shared by everyone involved in the project. "It is a concern that the budget is so much larger than it was originally projected to be."

That's putting it mildly. Just four years ago, the B.C. Liberals were promising that the convention centre expansion could be completed "on time and on budget" for just $495 million.

Premier Gordon Campbell was equally reassuring at the official sod-turning, less than 21/2 years ago.

"This will be on time and on budget -- count on it," Campbell declared as he fired up a backhoe for the ceremonial excavation of the construction site on Nov. 8, 2004.

The key was the B.C. Liberal government's superior approach to management of public sector construction projects.

"There are contingencies built into the project," he explained, "and it is going to be run professionally."

Actually, the Liberals were resorting to one of the oldest dodges in the book -- boosting the budget, then claiming they could stay within the revised figure.

For, as Campbell spoke, the official definition of "on budget" was already $565 million, up $70 million from the initial number.

Ten months later, the B.C. Liberals tried the same trick again, boosting the budget to $615 million, and saying they could definitely, for sure, no kidding, finish the project for that amount.

But these numbers were tossed out without any detailed public acknowledgment of what was happening to the construction costs.

The initial budget was predicated on a four-per-cent-a-year rise in construction costs. Ten to 15 per cent was more like it.

Even when the bids started coming in well above projections, the Liberals never 'fessed up to the dubious nature of their forecasting on what has been characterized (by them) as "the biggest construction project in B.C."

At the time they floated the $615-million figure, less than half the tenders had been called. That supposedly firm figure was no more than a guess, and not a very good one at that.

Today, with the project mostly tendered (more than 80 per cent, the Liberals said last week, just under 90 per cent, they said Monday) the tab is still running.

It won't be $1 billion, Hagen assured reporters Monday.

Phew! That's a relief.

"It'll be in the range of $800 million," he went on to insist.

But project managers are still working to nail down a more precise figure, via high-level negotiations with the builder, PCL Construction.

The goal, Hagen says, is to get PCL to agree to finish the project for "a lump sum."

At this late day, the builder is surely in the driver's seat in those negotiations.

Construction well under way. Government needing the expansion finished for the Olympics. Labour shortages. Cost escalation well-documented. Public alert to repeated stories of overruns. Politicians scrambling for cover.

Wouldn't you like to be the negotiator for the other side: "Here's my proposal: We'll finish it and send you the bill. You pay up. How's that for a lump sum?"

However those negotiations come out, the cost is already running 60-per-cent ahead of the original promise, 40-per-cent higher than Campbell's "count on it," budget.

Nor is the project on time. The Liberals were initially building for an opening in the summer of 2008. The latest target is spring of 2009, or almost a year behind schedule.

All this is doubly bad for the Liberals because Campbell staked his own credibility on that claim of on time and on budget.

"The premier didn't know what the heck he was talking about," as Opposition critic Harry Bains put it in the legislature Monday.

Exactly so. But don't expect to hear the Liberals admit it.

vpalmer@direct.ca
© The Vancouver Sun 2007

[smasher000]

Get your facts right.....i hate it when people are so oblivious and ignorant about these costs.

we're here to learn, so its too bad if somebody makes an error. what's the big deal huh? don't be so quick to pounce and correct.. you're totally making a competition out of this.

"WHO COULD CORRECT SOMEBODY THE FASTEST AND IN THE RUDEST WAY POSSIBLE!!"
"ME! ME! ME!"

you are a real ass if that's how you operate.

[mr.x2]

sorry if i appear to be rude, but again, i am very very sick of seeing people being misinformed or being completely ignorant about the actual cost of 2010.....it's sickening.

[towerguy3]

Okay, let's recalculate:

$ 2 billion for Olympic Construction and Operational costs combined

$ 2 billion for RAV Line

$ 800 million for new Convention Center

$ 600 million for Sea To Sky upgrade

That's $ 5.4 billion! I think we can all agree there's a hell of a lot of construction going on right now!

Zee big cement pour for the core of Fairmont Pacific Rim is Saturday morning at 6 a.m. 220 cement trucks and 3 pumping trucks! Just imagine the noise level in that area for 12 hours! 81 hours and counting...

[mr.x2]

Okay, let's recalculate:

$ 2 billion for Olympic Construction and Operational costs combined

$ 2 billion for RAV Line

$ 800 million for new Convention Center

$ 600 million for Sea To Sky upgrade

That's $ 5.4 billion! I think we can all agree there's a hell of a lot of construction going on right now!

Zee big cement pour for the core of Fairmont Pacific Rim is Saturday morning at 6 a.m. 220 cement trucks and 3 pumping trucks! Just imagine the noise level in that area for 12 hours! 81 hours and counting...

lol yea. i read that total construction projects in the province is more than a hundred billion.

[cornholio]

^^^Yes that $100 million number for fast tracked projects was just a wild guess(not even realy a guess). I was mostly trying to just say that although these projects were planed anyways there are still some extra costs added that wouldent of otherwise because of the fast tracking, but realy I have no clue to what those extra costs are but i doubt their anything huge.

[Brokenhead]

Thinking you guys would know the best, where is the Olympic Torch going to be since BC Place is covered, and the torch won't be seen from outside. And what about the fireworks?

[agrant]

I haven't heard anything. I don't think there is a rule book in regards to what they do with the torch, or if you have fireworks. I bet a lot of this info will come out a lot closer to the ceremonies, or it may even be classified.

[mr.x2]

Thinking you guys would know the best, where is the Olympic Torch going to be since BC Place is covered, and the torch won't be seen from outside. And what about the fireworks?

The IOC requires that during the opening ceremony, the lighting of the torch must be seen live (not by video screen) by the stadium spectators. So likely, we'll have an indoor cauldron (not "torch") and another outdoor cauldron.

There will be fireworks for the opening and closing ceremonies and VANOC has already confirmed there will be nightly fireworks to conclude the Olympic medal ceremonies.

[Brokenhead]

'Cauldrons' thats the name!!! Couldn't remember what they are called. So there is no details yet.

I know that fireworks can be light inside buildings, but I actually never seen any. But indoor stadiums must have limits to what fireworks can be done compare to outdoor stadiums. We'll find a way to make an impressive firework setup!!!


(The Cauldron could be construction news in like two years or something, sticking to the subject)

[mr.x2]

'Cauldrons' thats the name!!! Couldn't remember what they are called. So there is no details yet.

I know that fireworks can be light inside buildings, but I actually never seen any. But indoor stadiums must have limits to what fireworks can be done compare to outdoor stadiums. We'll find a way to make an impressive firework setup!!!

Yea, it's possible....they had it for the '05 Grey Cup. Though it does create quite a bit of smoke, obviously, so it'll have to be done for the finale.

VANOC already has 360 degree image projection planned for the ceremonies (using the white roof, stadium floor, crowd).

[SpongeG]

i though they were turing the rim of the roof into the flame thing

it was in their bid video

they showed the rim of BC place a light in flames - it was said to be one of the biggest flame things ever

they had named it the "ring of fire"

it looked very cool

[SpongeG]

can't find much but found this old article:

- Vancouver's Games-winning Olympic bid last Wednesday included a new plan to light the perimeter of B.C. Place Stadium in 2010 with the Olympic flame.

Where did that bright idea come from?

In this space on March 3, 2002, I proposed hockey's 2002 golden goalscorers Joe Sakic and Jayna Hefford be the final torchbearers to "light the biggest cauldron in Olympic history. My imagined ring of fire around the dome's roof is so bright it can be seen from space."

Can you imagine? There are 2,413 days until the Feb. 12, 2010 opening ceremony.

If the Victory Square tent city lasts that long, protesters deserve the first gold medals.

After all, demonstration is a sport here on the left coast.


http://www.vancourier.com/issues03/072103/sports.html

[mr.x2]

i though they were turing the rim of the roof into the flame thing

it was in their bid video

they showed the rim of BC place a light in flames - it was said to be one of the biggest flame things ever

they had named it the "rim of fire"

it looked very cool

Yea, but it's quite impracticle now......we already have uncertainties with the roof, it'll release a ton of emissions into the air, it would be a huge hazard, and it would cost a whole lot of money to have so many burners (Sydney's cauldron alone used quarter of a million dollars worth of natural gas during its 17-day games).

I wouldn't want it, at least not anymore.

[SpongeG]

this video seems new? it has a clip of the new nelly furtado in it

89zDbyPPkAg

[mr.x2]

^ VANOC got the same people who wrote the Canucks theme to do their stuff.

[SpongeG]

the flame anyway - it probably has to be outdoors and it has to be impressive

it seems as each olympics goes the flame and the cauldron get fancier each time as each new city tries to out do the last city

that said i can't even remember what torino or salt lake city did

lets hope vancouver makes it memorable

[mr.x2]

the flame anyway - it probably has to be outdoors and it has to be impressive

it seems as each olympics goes the flame and the cauldron get fancier each time as each new city tries to out do the last city

that said i can't even remember what torino or salt lake city did

lets hope vancouver makes it memorable

Torino used a fake flame to light the cauldron.....meaning that it was electronically lit. Yes, it was exciting, but the real flame from the torch did not light the cauldron itself. See here for yourself:

kPZRs1gcIrk



Hopefully, we'll see the real flame touch the cauldron in 2010.....nothing fake. But unfortunately, Torino set precedent for the future. So far, imo, Athens had the best cauldron lighting:

53JiD_19zvw



Every other Olympic Games, except Torino, had the real flame light the cauldron. Salt Lake City imo lacked excitement, and there were huge technical problems during the lighting at Sydney.

[SpongeG]

ah

the ones i remember were barcelona and sydney and calgary

[Canadian Mind]

what happened at Sydney?

[mr.x2]

what happened at Sydney?

Cathy Freeman stepped onto the middle of the pond. She lit the water, which immediately began to from a ring of fire on the water. The cauldron then slowly rose out of the water, up and through Freeman (it was a donut shaped cauldron, Freeman went through the middle). Then, the cauldron slowly rose up a waterfall. But then, it stalled for 15 minutes due to wind. If the cauldron did not rise up to its final position, the flame would go out since the cauldron was using its temporary gas supply (which lasts for 30 minutes). They managed to solve the problem, and hardly anybody noticed it apparently. o_o

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/925000/images/_926609_new_freeman300.jpg
http://www.ammsa.com/windspeaker/windimages/Oct-2000-C.Freeman-torch.jpg
http://abc.net.au/olympics/2000/gallery/img/freeman-torch.jpg
http://www.gamesinfo.com.au/postgames/en/images/vol2/03_the_games_unfold/02_opening_ceremony/16_15hr.jpg

[Canadian Mind]

cool... i'd ask for a vid but i don't want to see a styalled cauldron for 15 minutes.

[mr.x2]

cool... i'd ask for a vid but i don't want to see a styalled cauldron for 15 minutes.

i was too young to watch Sydney, but from what i've read most networks around the world went on a very very long commercial break lol.

[mr.x2]

here's another 2010 video. it's a fan-made video, but i think it's almost as good as the VANOC videos:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=706Zv3exohM

[SpongeG]

oh gawd i must be old

[Brokenhead]

I know someone whose in the Paralympics since 1996. In Athens the opening ceremony was about the same as the Olympics. He has pictures of the cauldron, but it must of being windy, because the flame was going to it's side and was long.

Having a cauldron all way around BC Place would be cool, but people against global warming won't like it, and plus the costs.

[Canadian Mind]

lol, i was fucking 10 when i watched sydney... i can remember parts of it, but not the opening ceremonies.

[Canadian Mind]

I know someone whose in the Paralympics since 1996. In Athens the opening ceremony was about the same as the Olympics. He has pictures of the cauldron, but it must of being windy, because the flame was going to it's side and was long.

Having a cauldron all way around BC Place would be cool, but people against global warming won't like it, and plus the costs.

that thing for two weeks would be nothing compared to whatever fires we had summer of '09. Therefor the global warming people can shove it.

[squeezied]

here's another 2010 video. it's a fan-made video, but i think it's almost as good as the VANOC videos:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=706Zv3exohM

hmmm a thing just came up to me at 2:23 when the torches of fire light up around bc place stadium: is it possible that the roof catches on fire???

[SpongeG]

its controlled

there are a lot of places where fire is used like that

they could construct it so it is a good distance from the fabric roof

[mr.x2]

hmmm a thing just came up to me at 2:23 when the torches of fire light up around bc place stadium: is it possible that the roof catches on fire???

well, you never know. i rather not do this....think about it....if something slightly goes wrong, in front of a live audience of 3 billion.....it's quite dangerous, with 70,000 people inside (including camera men, backstage, performers, volunteers, media, officials, spectators, athletes, etc.).

[Brokenhead]

3 billion people watch the games (opening ceremonies)!!!

The population of Earth is about 6.5 billion people.

So about half the world watch the games (opening ceremonies)?

[mr.x2]

3 billion people watch the games (opening ceremonies)!!!

The population of Earth is about 6.5 billion people.

So about half the world watch the games (opening ceremonies)?

Yes, that's correct:

Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony: 4 billion viewers
- competition days ~ 2.5 billion
- closing ceremony ~ 2 billion

Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony: 3 billion viewers
- competition days ~ 1.5 billion
- closing ceremony ~ 1 billion (Torino was an exception at 650 million, dissapointment)

World Cup ~ 2.5 billion daily

[SpongeG]

thats why they are such a big deal and cities compete so hard to host them

[cornholio]

^I doubt that even 3 billion people have TV's...yet alone care for the Winter Olympics, so these numbers are a bit suprising to me.
Im thinking their rounded up a bit.

[ReginaGuy]

^I doubt that even 3 billion people have TV's...yet alone care for the Winter Olympics, so these numbers are a bit suprising to me.
Im thinking their rounded up a bit.

Why do you doubt 3 billion people have access to tv?

[officedweller]

From the Richmond Review:

Skate blades for oval bridge

By Matthew Hoekstra
Staff Reporter
Feb 22 2007


Motorists and pedestrians crossing the future span over Hollybridge Canal will be passing through skate blades.

The latest public art project endorsed by city council for the oval precinct involves transforming an otherwise plain crossing into a gateway to the Olympic venue.

Four towering light poles designed to look like skate blades will be installed on both sides of the short four-lane bridge, accompanied by skate marks in the concrete, images in pedestrian railings and benches.

The city has hired artist Buster Simpson to design the $230,000 public art project—made possible from cash leftover from the $2-million budget for the bridge.

“That gave us some extra money and we wanted to add a public art element to this bridge since it is the primary gateway to the oval and that entire precinct,” said city spokesperson Ted Townsend.

Simpson has been designing public art since the 1970s. Most of his work, ranging from standalone sculptures to integrated or collaborative designs, has been in the Pacific Northwest.

In a staff report, Simpson noted his design will mirror the landscape and “reflect and diffract the ambient light sources.”

“The sun’s daily passage creates a dynamically changing incidence of light. At night, through the use of efficient LED lighting, the pylon blades transform into an illuminated vector, a beacon to what is beyond.”

At Monday’s general purposes committee meeting, Mayor Malcolm Brodie questioned whether passersby will realize they’re looking at skate blades.

The project is not part of the first $1.72-million phase of public art for the oval approved by council, but is part of the overall plan.

More such art projects could be added to the oval and its precinct if other aspects of the project come under-budget or the city secures grants or sponsorships, said Townsend.

[bils]

3 billion people watch the games (opening ceremonies)!!!

The population of Earth is about 6.5 billion people.

So about half the world watch the games (opening ceremonies)?

i think these figures more accurately describe the number of people who have access to watching the games...... in other words, 3 billion people 'could' watch the games if they all wanted to. it's impossible that 1/2 of the world is watching (or would care to watch) the ceremonies.

[mr.x2]

i think these figures more accurately describe the number of people who have access to watching the games...... in other words, 3 billion people 'could' watch the games if they all wanted to. it's impossible that 1/2 of the world is watching (or would care to watch) the ceremonies.

Nope, it's the tv ratings tally. However, Torino didn't hit 3 billion for the opening.....but around 2.2 billion.

[mr.x2]

Vancouver 2010 welcomes another licensee to the 2010 Winter Games team: Moving Products Inc. joins as Official Premium Fulfillment Licensee
February 22, 2007

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced today that Moving Products Inc. (MPI) has joined the 2010 Winter Games family of licensees.

Over the next three years, VANOC’s sponsor and partner requirements for custom-branded 2010 Winter Games merchandise licensed by VANOC will increase. With the addition of MPI as an Official Premium Fulfillment Licensee, Olympic and Paralympic sponsors and partners will now have an additional option for sourcing and receiving corporate premiums, uniforms and gifting items for their employees, officials and guests.

Moving Products joins our Premier National Partner, Hbc (through its fulfillment division, Hbc Custom Solutions), as a premium fulfillment option connecting VANOC sponsors and partners to our wide variety of licensed merchandise,” said Dennis Kim, director, licensing and merchandising, VANOC. “We’re pleased to welcome them to the Vancouver 2010 family.”

With lengthy Games experience, Canadian company MPI was the Official Outfitting Service Provider in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Salt Lake 2002. MPI has outfitted nearly 250,000 individuals with more than two million pieces of custom sponsor-branded merchandise.

MPI houses a 4,000-square foot office and showroom in Vancouver. This will allow VANOC sponsors and partners to view, and purchase, custom merchandise with Vancouver 2010 logos.

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. Whistler and Vancouver will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

VANOC's licensee 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. The royalties generated by this unique group of Canadian companies contribute to the overall operating budget for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

VANOC’s Official Licensees include Aritzia LP, Artiss Aminco, Cajo Designs, Executive Promotions, Filmar Sportswear Canada Inc, Hbc, Kootenay Knitting Company Ltd., Moving Products Inc., Mustang Drinkware, New Era Cap Canada, Panabo Sales, Paris Glove of Canada, Please Mum, RC Products, Sundog Distributing Inc., Trimark Sportswear Group Inc., Vancouver Umbrella and Wilson International Products Ltd. These Canadian companies represent a wide range of hard good products and collectibles including pins, ski and snowboard accessories, glassware, sunglasses, umbrellas, gloves, mitts, toques and activewear.

[cornholio]

Nope, it's the tv ratings tally. However, Torino didn't hit 3 billion for the opening.....but around 2.2 billion.

Oh come on...go do some traveling, get out in to the real world and you will realize that these number are imposibel. What Europe and North america have 1.5 billion or so people out of those how many do you think watch the opening ceremonies...maybe 500 million...i mean i live in Vancouver and honestly I can say that a majority of the people I know dont watch them, remeber the city during Torinos opening ceremonies...looked prety alive to me.
Anyways from my experiences I find these number way to high. Believe me that most people in the world dont have access to watching the winter games, and a good chunck of the people who do have much more important things to do with their time such as plowing their feild or working their asses of just to get by.

[bils]

Oh come on...go do some traveling, get out in to the real world and you will realize that these number are imposibel. What Europe and North america have 1.5 billion or so people out of those how many do you think watch the opening ceremonies...maybe 500 million...i mean i live in Vancouver and honestly I can say that a majority of the people I know dont watch them, remeber the city during Torinos opening ceremonies...looked prety alive to me.
Anyways from my experiences I find these number way to high. Believe me that most people in the world dont have access to watching the winter games, and a good chunck of the people who do have much more important things to do with their time such as plowing their feild or working their asses of just to get by.

good point, and not only that - remember 1/4 to 1/3 of the world is sleeping at any given time.

[jlousa]

The 3 billion could be accurate if they include people that catch the repeats, and highlights on the local news. I agree there won't be 3 billion watching live, but if you include everyone that watches the news and there will be highlights on partically every newscast that day/night then the 3billion would be close to accurate

[ReginaGuy]

:previous: Exactly, I'm willing to bet that almost every person on earth with a tv will at least see parts of the ceremonies. It's almost impossible to avoid at least seeing clips of the olympics on tv

[SpongeG]

protesters were out in force today for the ground breaking of the curling rink venue

not because they were against the games but the mp guy

they say it will be ready in one year

[cornholio]

:previous: Exactly, I'm willing to bet that almost every person on earth with a tv will at least see parts of the ceremonies. It's almost impossible to avoid at least seeing clips of the olympics on tv

Well its not imposibel to avoid, infact if you were to live in say Mexico, Egypt, South Africa, even India it would actualy be rather difficult to catch clips of the games since there is almost 0 interest for them in these places. But yeah I can maybe believe the 3 billion number if you include people watching re-runs are just catching small portions of it.

I must add that the exposure of the winter Olympics is still priceless, and the parts of the world where marketing of Vancouver pays of the most are generarly the same parts that do have interest in winter sports. That would be NA, Europe, parts of Asia and parts of South America.

[mr.x2]

Construction begins at Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park curling venue marking the final venue ground breaking for the 2010 Winter Games: Construction of all 2010 Winter Games venues now underway, on schedule and on budget

February 23, 2007

Construction is now officially under way on Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park, the final competition venue of the 2010 Winter Games to break ground. The centrally located facility will host the men’s and women’s curling competitions for the Olympic Games, as well as the wheelchair curling tournament for the Paralympic Games. Post-Games, Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park will be converted into a permanent, multi-use community legacy facility.

Jack Poole, VANOC’s Chairman of the Board, was pleased to participate in the special ceremony marking the beginning of construction. “This is an historic day for our project,” said Mr. Poole. “This start to construction supports our commitment to providing Canadian athletes with early venue access for training that will help them achieve podium success in 2010. This venue will provide a wonderful community legacy for generations of Canadians to enjoy in the future.”

Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008 and will seat 6,000 for the Olympic curling and Paralympic wheelchair curling competitions. The wheelchair curling seating capacity is one of the largest in Paralympic Winter Games history.

Post-Games, the curling venue will become a multi-purpose community recreation centre that will include an ice hockey rink, gymnasium, library and eight sheets of curling ice. Attached to, and being constructed with the curling venue, is a new aquatic centre with a 50 metre lap and leisure pool to be managed by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.

The multi-purpose centre has been designed using leading environmental and business practices and is targeted for LEED Gold certification. An example of the environmentally sustainable features planned include the transfer of waste heat from the refrigeration plant to heat other building spaces, the adjacent aquatics centre and the venue site.

The Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park is part of a $580 million investment for 2010 Winter Games venues that is funded equally by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. The $38.0 million budget for the Olympic and Paralympic venue is provided by VANOC and its federal and provincial government partners. The City of Vancouver is contributing an additional $41.1 million of legacy project funding. The total cost of the Olympic and Paralympic venue and related projects, including the post-Games curling ice, aquatic centre and other legacy components is $79.1 million.

Also on hand for the ceremony were the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics; the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; Chief Leah George, Representing the Four Host First Nations Society; His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, Ian Robertson, Chair of the Vancouver Park Board and members of the local curling community.

[officedweller]

Oval site - Jan 30, 2007
http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/richmond/2007/rhh2007_030.jpg

[DVD]

Turin Olympics to set audience record for Winter Games



The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin will break the audience record for Winter Olympic Games with more than 3 billion people watching the Games on television, Italian News Agency ANSA said on Friday.

According to a report from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the number of audience is up 5 percent from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The viewers of the Turin Olympics will increase thanks to the major global TV coverage with 200 countries broadcasting the Games compared to 160 countries where the population could watch the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

[mr.x2]

Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Curling Facility
http://www.vancouver2010.com/images/venue_display/hillcrest_park.jpg

[marmorek]

^ Looks awesome. The current community centre is outdated and ugly.

[cornholio]

Turin Olympics to set audience record for Winter Games



The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin will break the audience record for Winter Olympic Games with more than 3 billion people watching the Games on television, Italian News Agency ANSA said on Friday.

According to a report from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the number of audience is up 5 percent from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The viewers of the Turin Olympics will increase thanks to the major global TV coverage with 200 countries broadcasting the Games compared to 160 countries where the population could watch the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.


Impresive numbers, though i want to know if this includes all people who tuned in for a brief moment or caught highlights on their 6 o clock news.

[officedweller]

The Walter Francl website has renderings/model pics of the Trout Lake practice facility:

http://www.wfrancl.com/main.htm

Go to Portfolio - Recreational projects and scroll down.

[Canadian Mind]

I bet it includes folks like us who would watch 15 minutes, change the channel, and then go back half an hour later for another 15 minutes... keep rinsing and repeating the process.

[mr.x2]

Renderings of the new Trout Lake facility:

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/5442/trout1zf4.jpg
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/2686/trout2ej8.jpg
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8973/trout3zk9.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1967/trout4dh4.jpg
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3870/trout5qr9.jpg
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3011/trout6cp5.jpg

[SpongeG]

trout lake is not part of the olympics for anything official is it? just for practices?

[mr.x2]

^ yea, just for practices.

[SpongeG]

thats so much bigger than what is on that site now

[Fairbanks]

Hi all:

Could someone post some pics of the construction at the Olympic Villages in False Creek and Whistler please?

Thanks,
Fairbanks

[smasher000]

WOot! im going to be preforming in the opening and closing ceremonies of the beijing and vancouver olympics!!!

[Canadian Mind]

cool... doing what?

[SpongeG]

wearing a leotard?

[cornholio]

Olympics under pressure to be fully bilingual
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Font: * * * * Peter O'Neil, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, March 01, 2007
OTTAWA — The federal government said today it will meet a Senate committee’s challenge on official bilingualism at the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympics.

A Senate committee report praised efforts by Ottawa and the Vancouver Organizing Committee (Vanoc), but said greater effort is necessary.

“The two official languages will be respected, and are an essential part of the 2010 games,” said B.C. Conservative MP James Moore, the bilingual parliamentary secretary to unilingual Trade Minister David Emerson, minister responsible for the Olympics in the federal cabinet.

“There are going to be challenges, as the Senate Committee noted, but our government is working closely with Vanoc to ensure that all Canadians can enjoy the Games in the official language of their choice."

The committee, which held public hearings in Vancouver last November, said it plans to call back witnesses again before the Olympics to ensure progress is made.

"The Committee is confident that preparations for the 2010 Games are moving ahead in the right direction,” the report concluded.

“Nonetheless, vigilance is still required in terms of respect for the two official languages by the various partners.”

The report called on the federal government to boost funding for B.C. francophone groups involved in Olympic preparation, and ensure that Canada’s francophone communities have representation on Vanoc’s board of directors.

It also called on Vanoc to ensure that bilingualism is respected in cultural celebrations “before, during and after” the games, and said more bilingual signs should be installed on major roads linking the Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver and Whistler.

There is considerable pressure on Canada as an officially bilingual country hosting an international event that also treats French and English as the two official languages.

“The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler must set the standard of respect for the two official languages, both within Canada and throughout the entire Olympic movement,” states the report.
Just read this...kind of pathetic in my opinion...I mean dont people have any common sense, are they realy thinking of puting up bilingual street signs etc everywhere at a huge cost for the benefit of almost no one?
I mean common this is Vancouver...as far as im concerned only official goverement agencies need to be bilingual in BC, I sure as hell hope their not going to force french language on to the olympics.

I mean the federal goverment is puting up not even half the money for the games so they should shut their mouth because their taking this to far, this should be none of their business. I thought the fact that Quebec in reality was represented more then the west coast in our little Turin show is enough.
The only place that I would agree with to have bilingual signs would be the airport...and guess what it already has them. Anyways I hope there a uproar over this until the federal goverment pays for every single penny of the costs of what they are demanding.

[djh]

Just read this...kind of pathetic in my opinion...I mean dont people have any common sense, are they realy thinking of puting up bilingual street signs etc everywhere at a huge cost for the benefit of almost no one?
I mean common this is Vancouver...as far as im concerned only official goverement agencies need to be bilingual in BC, I sure as hell hope their not going to force french language on to the olympics.

I mean the federal goverment is puting up not even half the money for the games so they should shut their mouth because their taking this to far, this should be none of their business. I thought the fact that Quebec in reality was represented more then the west coast in our little Turin show is enough.
The only place that I would agree with to have bilingual signs would be the airport...and guess what it already has them. Anyways I hope there a uproar over this until the federal goverment pays for every single penny of the costs of what they are demanding.

Did you go to the Montreal Olympics? If the signs and documents were all in French-only, would you have been alright with that?

[tintinium]

French isn't an international language... but I agree, the signs should be fully bilingual... English and Chinese. Vancouver's two official languages.

Cities host Olympics, not countries. The country benefits, though.

[djh]

French isn't an international language... but I agree, the signs should be fully bilingual... English and Chinese. Vancouver's two official languages.

Cities host Olympics, not countries. The country benefits, though.

^LOL!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language
Spoken in 41 countries by 300million people...I guess it's not international enough for ya...(?!)

And as to your point that cities host Olympics...well Vancouver 2010 has always been billed as "Canada's Olympics", all the way from the top, the VANOC people themselves. And if it were just the city's Olympics, we should rightly so kiss bye-bye to the Provincial and Federal investments, no?

They all work together, it would be pointless to say they are not connected. The Province and Feds control the roads that connect the venues; the national and international press broadcast and publicize the event; and worldwide visitors and members of the Olympic family will frequent our hotels and shops.

I like your idea about the Chinese languages being incorporated though. That's 1.3 billion additional people welcome to the party. But it definitely has to be in at least French and English, and I expect the FEDS to pay for that. If Vancouver wants to pay for Mandarin/Cantonese, great, but *that* should be their decision

[mr.x2]

.....and the official languages of the IOC are also English and French, so it does complement quite well.

[chuber]

There are probably more people that speak German in Vancouver than French. Seems silly to me to spend the money on all the signs just for 'show'.

So when did those guys say they are seperating so we can put an end to this foolishness. :P

[smasher000]

WOot! im going to be preforming in the opening and closing ceremonies of the beijing and vancouver olympics!!!

No, not in a leotard, thanks.
I'll be preforming with my high school marching band! :haha:

[SpongeG]

cool

[hollywoodnorth]

No, not in a leotard, thanks.
I'll be preforming with my high school marching band! :haha:


wow VANOC is going all out....sourcing high school bands.........was the Sea Cadet band busy that weekend?

[SpongeG]

Vanoc hired that Olympic ceremony company for the cermonies

they are a US company who did sydney, athens, salt lake city etc

[cornholio]

Did you go to the Montreal Olympics? If the signs and documents were all in French-only, would you have been alright with that?

No I wouldent care and I wouldent of goten involved in their personal decisions regarding having bilingual signs or not...though im sure they would of suffered finacialy big time have they no incuded english, not our case out here though. Personaly im sick and tired of us having to please a minority group from one province three time zoes away, its pathetic especialy given the fact that the French never controled any land within thousands and thousands of kilometeres of this province, hence why we are not a bilingual province...the federal goverment is bilingual but we are not and by the federal goverment insisting on this they are clearly going to far...this is not right and the province should tell them to shove it, not because its right or wrong but for the sake of them not having a say in this and our province keeping the little freedom it has. Hell we out here get trampeled enough by the federal goverment.

Anyways can someone please explain what benefit this would have?

And remeber that the federal goverment pays for things with our money too, useless expenditures like this should be our problem be it the federal, provincial or municipal goverment because its still our money.

Also remeber that the federal goverment is paying just a fraction of the cost of the games, in the world of law they have no real say over how we run these games, we have the final word because its mostly our money invested...if they were to pay for the majority of these games then they would become how should i put it...a majority share holder of this event and i would have no problem with them doing what ever they wanted. Remeber its us in this province paying for these games and any posibel cost over runs, its our money and our investment

Now again i might sound like im taking this to far but the whole point is that the fedral goverment should have no right to force, demand or critize us regarding this issue, they should keep their mouth shut because this is not their juristiction, its all about provincial pride and maintaing some power.

[SpongeG]

i think the olympic organization itself has two official languages - it seems no matter where the olympics are they do the athletes pledge in english and french and the local language

[mr.x2]

i think the olympic organization itself has two official languages - it seems no matter where the olympics are they do the athletes pledge in english and french and the local language

Yes, the official languages of the IOC are English and French. During the Opening/Closing Ceremonies or any announcements during the events, it is done in both English and French if you haven't noticed as well as in the official languages of the host nation. (in Athens: Greek, English, French and in Beijing: English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese)

[smasher000]

wow VANOC is going all out....sourcing high school bands.........was the Sea Cadet band busy that weekend?

I'll have you know... we are the biggest high school marching band in Canada.

[hollywoodnorth]

I'll have you know... we are the biggest high school marching band in Canada.

ohhhhh welllll thennnnnnnn..........ummmmm pardon my ignorance......but since when does quantity equal quality?

[smasher000]

we've played in many local parade awards

remember: we were founded only six years ago, i think its an amazing feat for a high school band to make it so far and in such a short time

during this time, we've won awards for best band in the Hyack International Parade, Rogers’ Santa Claus Parade, Santa Claus Parade of Lights, Hats Off Day Parade and the North Shore Canada Day Parade.

we've preformed during the calgary stampede and the grey cup halftime show

the beijing olympics will be our first international event

[bils]

From the Richmond News:
---------

City makes millions on oval lands

By Nelson Bennett

The City of Richmond will make "significantly" more from the sale of land adjacent to the Olympic oval than it needs to help cover the project's $178-million price tag, city officials say.

The city has struck a deal with an unidentified developer for 18.6 acres of city-owned waterfront property adjacent to the oval on River Road for more than $43 million, according to a report to the city's general purposes committee yesterday.

The report also projects the $178-million oval to come in slightly under budget.

"Given that the revenue to be generated from land sales was one of the key risk areas, it's a very positive sense of relief to know that you will satisfy or exceed your goals," CEO George Duncan told the News.

Duncan said the deal includes the sale of five parcels of land and the leasing of two.

From the beginning, when Richmond was awarded the bid to build the Olympic skating oval in 2004, city officials promised they would not raise taxes to pay for it.

Making good on that promise means making at least $43 million on the sale of land immediately west of the oval site on River Road. Duncan's report confirms the pending sale will generate that much and more.

"Final proceeds of sale significantly exceeds required amount," the report states.

The oval is budgeted at $178 million, and so far is projected to be under budget by $2.5 million. That's based on 91 per cent of the contracts being awarded.

"In the hot construction market we've had, where we've had such incredible escalation in construction costs, it is a key milestone to complete your tenders within your project budget," Duncan said.

But that hot market also worked to the city's benefit, thanks to good timing.

"We were extremely fortunate that we put our property up for sale in a rising market," said Coun, Harold Steves, who initially expressed concern with the oval's costs.

"I'm very happy with where we are. I was very concerned we were going to go beyond the $178 million."

The project is still a year-and-a-half away from its completion date. Even if it were not projected to be under budget, Duncan said the city still has a contingency fund built into the project.

"We are now under construction and we still have 100 per cent of our contingency, plus 100 per cent of our owner's allowance in place," Duncan said.

The city's share of the $178-million oval's cost is $116 million. The federal government is kicking in $30 million, the province $32 million.

The city has earmarked $50 million in casino gaming revenue over 10 years toward the project, and plans to raise another $25 million through things like development cost charges and parking fees.

It also hopes to raise another $10 million through sponsorships and naming rights, but that's still under investigation.

Selling off land immediately adjacent to the oval is a key part of the project's financing. Four of seven parcels are designated for highrise residential development. Two are zoned for commercial use and would be leased. A seventh parcel is zoned for either a hotel or mixed use and can be either sold or leased.

Five developers responded to a request for proposals: Aspec Development Ltd., Fairchild Development Ltd., Intergulf Development, Pinnacle International Development and Concord Pacific.

Duncan confirmed the offer being made is from a single proponent, not a consortium of developers. He would not say who the developer is, nor would he say how much the land is being sold for, only that is exceeds the $43 million the city needs.

And though they won't say how much the city stands to profit from the sale, some councillors are already staking claims on the money.

"It should be a significant number of millions of dollars, which should be used to replace our land banks," Steves said.

Coun. Bill McNulty agrees. "The money should be going back into land," he said.

The 32-acre oval site, of which 18.6 acres are to be sold or leased, was the last significant chunk of land left over from the Brighouse Estates purchase in the 1960s. Steves hopes any profits made on the land's sale go back into building up the city's land bank.

"We need to start an industrial land bank and, in my opinion, we need to start an agricultural land bank as well," Steves said.

published on 03/06/2007

[SpongeG]

the IOC is in town inspecting

and apparently the olympic flag was stolen last night from City hall

[agrant]

I'm not too shocked that this would happen. Easy pickings. I don't think it was the one and only flag though. Just a copy.

[mr.x2]

idiots......nothing can stop these Games from coming to the city. All they are doing is embarrassing us all and making the Games even more expensive for taxpayers since the pole ($6,000) and 5x7.6 metre flag ($1,600) will now have to be replaced at the expense of the city.
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060228/060228_vancouverflag_hlg_4p.hlarge.jpg



Olympic flag theft and 'crime of anger' — police

Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Vancouver city hall has ordered a complete review of its security after vandals stole the massive Olympic flag that flew outside the building on the eve of an important visit by the International Olympic Committee.

The removal of the 5 x 7.6 metre flag overnight late Monday or early today took place after someone cut a stainless steel cable on the seven-storey flag pole and then ripped the flag off the damaged assembly. They left an accompanying Paralympic flag on an adjacent pole untouched.

It was both embarrassing and costly for the city, which is also having to foot the cost of increased security at the Olympic countdown clock at the Vancouver Art Gallery. In addition to the $1,600-custom-made flag, the $6,000 pole was also seriously damaged and may have to be replaced, according to police.

The theft comes less than a week before the city holds an “Olympic flag lighting ceremony” March 12 to illuminate the emblems at night. More acutely, however, it took place as the IOC’s Vancouver coordination commission begins three days of meetings.

A clearly irritated Mayor Sam Sullivan said the theft was a distinctly “uncivil” thing to do in a city that wants the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“I am very open to protests, to expressions of concerns, but when you cross the line into theft, vandalism and criminal activity, that’s different. We all need to be civil in the way we express ourselves,” he said.

Vancouver Police spokesman Const. Tim Fanning said investigators believe a group of people were responsible but don’t have suspects. The vandals pried a plate off the pole to get at the internal cable, and then didn’t simpy remove the flag when it came to the ground. Instead, they ripped it off with force and left part of the emblem attached to the lanyard.

“This was definitely a crime of anger. There was no intrinsic value to the flag,” he said.

The flag is one of two replicas manufactured in Vancouver. The other will be put up before Monday’s lighting ceremony. The historic Oslo flag, the first Olympic flag flown at a Winter Olympics, and which is on loan to Vancouver, hangs safely inside city hall.
© Vancouver Sun 2007

[Hed Kandi]

That's just sick. Anyone that is ignorant enough to do something like deserves to be be beat sent to jail for some ass raping.

[mr.x2]

Military to provide 'robust' support to combat potential terror attacks at 2010


By PETER O’NEIL, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, March 06, 2007

OTTAWA — The Canadian military will provide “robust and wide-ranging support” to the RCMP to combat potential terror attacks against the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, according to newly released internal documents.

An analysis by one of Canada’s most senior military officials says international terrorist organizations like al-Qaida will likely see the Olympics as an opportunity to target Canada and other countries.

“Canada was ranked the fifth most important ‘Christian’ target, behind the U.S., Britain, Spain and Australia by an al-Qaida document in 2004, and is the only nation amongst this group yet to be attacked,” wrote Lieutenant-General Marc Dumais, commander of Canada Command, in an October 26, 2006 document obtained by the Montreal newspaper La Presse.

“As a visible participant in the international campaign against terrorism, Canada could become a direct or indirect target for terrorist attack.”

The 2010 games, according to the analysis, “could offer opportunities for terrorists (international and domestic) and extremists to further their agendas at a high profile event either against Canada or another participating nation(s).”

The document also warns that the games could draw interest from organized crime groups, who could “take advantage of the large volumes of funds being disseminated to make illicit profits.”

Dumais stressed that the RCMP is taking the lead security role.

So military support for security “will need to be discrete to the general public,” though the Canadian Forces will be publicly visible at ceremonial functions.

A separate briefing note, also obtained by La Presse under the Access to Information Act, said the Canadian Forces (CF) will be working closely with the RCMP in security planning.

“Given heightened post 9/11 security measures for major international events of this nature, the CF can expect requests from the RCMP to provide robust and wide-ranging support.”

© Vancouver Sun 2007




we should have tanks and armed troops guarding the countdown clock and flag pole. :lol:

[mr.x2]

http://www.rogersradiointernet.com/BC/CKWX/images/2007/city-hall_20070306_flag-poll.jpg



Anti-Poverty Committee applauds theft of Olympic flag

Tuesday, March 06 - 02:43:20 PM Reshmi Nair

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The Olympic flag has been stolen from Vancouver City Hall and the usual suspects are applauding the culprits.

Anti-Poverty Committee activists took part in an Olympic attack a few weeks ago, but while David Cunningham says they're not involved in this, he supports who ever is. "That's not to say that we don't support nearly any action against the Olympics. Given the amount of money that's spent around this flag and the symbolism, it's quite significant that somebody took this flag down."

Constable Tim Fanning says it must have taken more than one person to steal the flag early this morning since it's 16 by 25 feet. "Once they got the flad down, they ripped it, rather than unclipping it, so the flag is now ruined even if we recover the flag"

Police say there's about $10,000 worth of damage, but Fanning says the 'crime of anger' isn't going to stop any plans. "A flag lighting ceremony that's going to be taking place on March 12th at City Hall, that will be going ahead as scheduled.

The APC is promising to be there and to do whatever it takes to disrupt the ceremony.

[Canadian Mind]

protests sure, but disruptions? think thats against the law, throw them away and throw away they key, the olympics is providing so much for so many people. if 1 billion jumpstarts an economy, providing jobs for tens or hundreds of thousands down the road, its far more efficient than giving money to the poor, who still wont have a job, and drug addicts, who spend moeny on drugs.

that said, i do feel we should spend far more on social housing... but not crapp buildings, buildings of quality.

[towerguy3]

I think there's going to be a big protest at Monday's lighting ceremony with lots of yelling and verbal abuse and throwing objects; lots of problems for the police. I think tear gas will be used and I think there will be a serious police incident that will be embarrassing for our city. I could see protestors being led away with blood on their face and people being beaten up. I think Monday will be very stressful for VANOC. I hope they are prepared with lots of police.

[mr.x2]

^ o_o????? o.......k.

Well, after what happened at the countdown clock unveiling the VPD stated that they will be taking a whole new approach in similar events.....as in more police officers with riot gear.

[Canadian Mind]

cool, i can't wait. should bring in the military ahead of time...


wonder what this could men for durign the actual events...

[mr.x2]

NEW RENDERINGS OF RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL


Olympic mode
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Oval_Main_Activity_Area_-_2010_Games16689.jpg


Post-Games mode
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Oval_Main_Activity_Level_-_Post_Games16690.jpg


Exterior
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Oval_Exterior_-_Southeast_view16687.jpg


Lobby exterior
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Oval_Exterior_-_Southern_view16688.jpg

[mr.x2]

cool, i can't wait. should bring in the military ahead of time...


wonder what this could men for durign the actual events...

Well, recall....

....the Irish nut pushing away the Brazilian in the marathon in Athens. He had a huge lead, but lost the gold and ended up with third place because of that moron.

....the Canadian that was payed by Golden Palace Casino to jump into the diving pool in Athens.

....the woman that went nude during the Torino opening ceremony (not seen on tv).

....the guy that ran up onto the stage during the Mayor of Torino's speech during the closing ceremony, and yelled out "Passion Lives in Torino". Either he was working for Golden Palace (i think he had a t-shirt that had the website name), or he was just very very passionate about Torino 2006 lol. Luckily, there were two microphones....one was ripped out.

....the protests outside Rice Eccles Stadium hours before the Opening Ceremony in Salt Lake. Police were in full riot gear.

[Canadian Mind]

I was more thinking of protesters with bombs attached hurling themselves mindlessly at spectators, police, athletes, infrastructure, and the like... but i suppose the list you provided will do.

[cornholio]

The APC is promising to be there and to do whatever it takes to disrupt the ceremony.

I dont like these people, infact I hate these people and I will also be there, and I will make sure that one of them picks me as a target which is easy to do with the low life scum on the brink of mental retardation. Oh and I will make sure the unlucky person wont be going home anytime soon.
Only problem being is that the police will have loose parameter and steped up presence hours before the event to filter out all suspicious people so by the time it gets to the ceremony 75% of the assholes should be held up or locked up. Anyways I would sugest anyone who has the ability to inflict some vigilante justice on these pricks come down to that event and show them what society thinks of them and their actions. By the way I probaly have the most experience with these sorts of people on here and I probably am more aware of their situations then most people on here and ill tell you i have zero respect for them, and infact i have zero respect for 90% of their cause. Majority of these people are in the early to late 20's and fully capabel of finding work, finding a market rental unit...and they dont need handouts. The only problem most of these people have is that their spoiled peaces of sht that have no respect for society and have zero motivation to work. They expect the rest of us to pay for their pitifull existance, and sorry but i am in no mood to do that, and yes i know(well knew) plenty of people that went down that path and to tell you the truth none of them have any excuse for where they now are..
I must add that im not against social housing but no person should be alowed to be in a social housing unit for more then two or so years to get their sht together. If a person is so messed up like many people are in the downtown east side(almost none of the real hardcore crack heads go to these protests)...anywaysthese realy messed up people should not be in social housing but rather in a mental hospital, a half way house or some type of rehabilitation program...and only after their cpabel of reintegrating themselfs in to society should they be alowed to live in a subsidized unit for a short period of time until they realy get them selvs back on their feet.
anyways enough of my rant.

[hollywoodnorth]

I dont like these people, infact I hate these people and I will also be there, and I will make sure that one of them picks me as a target which is easy to do with the low life scum on the brink of mental retardation. Oh and I will make sure the unlucky person wont be going home anytime soon.
Only problem being is that the police will have loose parameter and steped up presence hours before the event to filter out all suspicious people so by the time it gets to the ceremony 75% of the assholes should be held up or locked up. Anyways I would sugest anyone who has the ability to inflict some vigilante justice on these pricks come down to that event and show them what society thinks of them and their actions. By the way I probaly have the most experience with these sorts of people on here and I probably am more aware of their situations then most people on here and ill tell you i have zero respect for them, and infact i have zero respect for 90% of their cause. Majority of these people are in the early to late 20's and fully capabel of finding work, finding a market rental unit...and they dont need handouts. The only problem most of these people have is that their spoiled peaces of sht that have no respect for society and have zero motivation to work. They expect the rest of us to pay for their pitifull existance, and sorry but i am in no mood to do that, and yes i know(well knew) plenty of people that went down that path and to tell you the truth none of them have any excuse for where they now are..
I must add that im not against social housing but no person should be alowed to be in a social housing unit for more then two or so years to get their sht together. If a person is so messed up like many people are in the downtown east side(almost none of the real hardcore crack heads go to these protests)...anywaysthese realy messed up people should not be in social housing but rather in a mental hospital, a half way house or some type of rehabilitation program...and only after their cpabel of reintegrating themselfs in to society should they be alowed to live in a subsidized unit for a short period of time until they realy get them selvs back on their feet.
anyways enough of my rant.


:D please bring brass knuckels :D

and as they say........give em one for me..........make that give em 66 for me :whip:

[cornholio]

:D please bring brass knuckels :D

and as they say........give em one for me..........make that give em 66 for me :whip:

Well then I would just end up in the slammer like the rest of the pricks, so thats a no...anyways whats the fun and chalenge in protecting you self like a coward.

Good thing that it doesnt mater at my work if i come in with a black eye, split head or broken knuckles. It will be a blast and im very serious about going down there...though its been atleast a year or two since I have been able to realy practice my ass kickin skills, and a bit more then that if i dont count intoxicated altercations. But every once in a while a person should always give their animalistic deffensive/atack skills a go so you know you still have it...some how I dont think alot of people on here are realy going to agree with me on this one, but hell we all have different ways living our lifes, this is mine.

[Canadian Mind]

I do, I'd join, but I'm only 17, I have good grades I wanna keep, which means no missing school. :(

Plus, while I think my dad (who lives in surrey) would support this, i don't think mom even wants me in van, nevermind to go there to incite a riot.

[Nutterbug]

http://www.rogersradiointernet.com/BC/CKWX/images/2007/city-hall_20070306_flag-poll.jpg



Anti-Poverty Committee applauds theft of Olympic flag

Tuesday, March 06 - 02:43:20 PM Reshmi Nair

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The Olympic flag has been stolen from Vancouver City Hall and the usual suspects are applauding the culprits.

Anti-Poverty Committee activists took part in an Olympic attack a few weeks ago, but while David Cunningham says they're not involved in this, he supports who ever is. "That's not to say that we don't support nearly any action against the Olympics. Given the amount of money that's spent around this flag and the symbolism, it's quite significant that somebody took this flag down."

It's not like these people ever paid for any of it. :rolleyes:

[Fairbanks]

Alot of the people crying foul over the Games are claiming homelessness. Most of these people have homes...they are just in other parts of the country...where it's cold.

[Mike K.]

Silly protesters.

[raggedy13]

New renderings of the oval look great. That first one looks very proper somehow, in the sense that it really looks like the oval fits in with the Olympic look. I don't know if that makes sense, but I can't wait to see it during the Olympics.

[mr.x2]

Protesters threaten to disrupt Olympic flag illumination


Damian Inwood, The Province
Published: Wednesday, March 07, 2007

A protest group that disrupted last month's unveiling of the Olympic countdown clock is threatening to "shut down" an Olympic flag-illuminating ceremony at Vancouver City Hall next week.

Mayor Sam Sullivan lashed out at the threats as being "against the rules of civilized behaviour."

While the Anti-Poverty Committee denied it stole a $1,600 Olympic flag from outside city hall early yesterday, spokeswoman Mary Claremont said the group wished it had.

"In fact, this upcoming March 12, we will do whatever it takes to shut down the city's Olympic event being held at city hall," added Claremont.

The committee helped organize a rally at the Olympic-clock unveiling Feb. 12. Since then, round-the-clock security has been mounted to protect the clock at Georgia and Hornby.

Sullivan and Olympic and government officials will turn on the lights to illuminate city hall's Olympic and Paralympic flags at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

"That is completely against the rules of civilized behaviour and that is very irresponsible for them to talk in that way," fumed Sullivan after being told of the APC protest plan. "We all pride ourselves on having a city where we accept and support people's right to protest. When people take advantage and cross the line with vandalism and destroying public property, I think they hurt themselves."

City spokeswoman Jennifer Young said security will be there to deal with any protesters next week.

"The replacement flag is about $1,600, but there was damage to the flag pole and the faceplate to access the halyard was ripped off," she said of the stolen flag.

Canadian Olympic committee president Michael Chambers was disappointed that the flag was stolen. "It's frustrating to think that someone is so skewed in their view of all the good things the Olympics are about that they would go and do something like that," he said.

Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee spokeswoman Renee Smith-Valade said the stolen flag is a replica and not the one brought back from the Turin Olympics by Sullivan.

She said the city will pay for the damage and the flag will be replaced by next week. dinwood@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Province 2007

[marmorek]

The government will actually be less likely to listen to protesters if they do radical things like this.

[mr.x2]

The government will actually be less likely to listen to protesters if they do radical things like this.

precisely....governments do not respond to terrorists.

[SFUVancouver]

precisely....governments do not respond to terrorists.

Thank you. I don't put the anti-poverty committee (APC) is in the same league as international terrorists by any means, but there is a shared motive: to bring about political, social, and economic change through acts of violence or the threat of violence.

The kids who are mixed up with APC and the "direct action" movement are rapidly crossing the line a from which very heavy penalties will flow. They won't win. APC won't stop the Olympics. They're making themselves a troublesome nail that will be hammered down very hard as they become problematic and a liability to so many stakeholders. In a way I would rather things come to a head now than three years from now when an APC protestor is shot dead by a soldier who thought the papermache ball filled with rocks (honestly what the hell?!) or rotten egg was a grenade.

[smasher000]

OMG THE OVAL IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I really like the Vancouver 2010 in the middle oh wow oh wow!

[SpongeG]

they aren't going to keep it an ice oval afterwards?

[mr.x2]

they aren't going to keep it an ice oval afterwards?

unfortunately, no. it'll be converted into a community centre, and will have two-international sized hockey rinks.

[Nutterbug]

unfortunately, no. it'll be converted into a community centre, and will have two-international sized hockey rinks.

Hockey rinks have more community interest.

Hopefully, it can be converted back whenever needed, though I don't see too much use for a speed skating track around here. Let Calgary have it, since it's at a better location for it.

[SpongeG]

speed skating is pretty much unknown down here

where i grew up speed skating was very popular and common a few people have made it to the olympics from my home time

[mr.x2]

wtf?!!!! there are rumours the countdown clock was vandalized earlier in the week, with graffiti. they say the concrete base was painted by the city's graffiti squad. if true, it's disgusting and quite hard to imagine considering the clock is guarded 24/7.....did the guard leave for the washroom or something?

can somebody confirm this?

[squeezied]

hmmm i think i'll check it out tmr. i wonder how other cities manage to keep vandalization away

[mr.x2]

According to CTV, the flag was stolen by......get this.......a First Nations militia. They were holding the flag hostage, and there was a picture of them with the flag behind them and they hid their faces and bodies, very much like videos of hostages in Iraq. it's sickening.

[ReginaGuy]

If I lived in Vancouver I would be really irrated by these people. These people are demonstrating exactly why they're homeless, because they're lazy, criminal shit-disturbers who want everything handed to them

It's a joke how they want the government to give them money for nothing. How hard is it to get a job? Especially in western Canada.. Seriously.. the bulk majority of these people are homeless because they're lazy crack addicts. No one should ever feel sorry for them. There are a few people that have bad luck and hit hard times, but very few.

If these people want somewhere to live for free, they should check out the rehab clinic, or a homeless shelter. The government already babies them enough.

I know vancouver needs more affordable housing, but these people's demands are idiotic. Maybe they should move to a cheaper city.

[mr.x2]

^ well, a lot of those who are in the street today are from a mental institution in Port Coquitlam that was shut down by the Campbell government.

but yea, i do generally agree with you that most don't have an excuse.

[agrant]

Riverview (mental institution) is still going. It has shrunk quite a bit though.

Anyway... construction updates? I haven't heard a lot from the Whistler front.

[mr.x2]

Trio claim they stole Olympic flag

Canadian Press

VANCOUVER — Thieves claiming responsibility for stealing the Olympic flag from outside Vancouver city hall earlier this week have apparently come forward to explain their actions.

In a photo e-mailed to some news outlets, three people are posing with what appears to be the flag that symbolizes the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Global TV reports that the supposed thieves call themselves the Native Warriors.

They say they stole the flag in honour of a native elder who was jailed for protesting the expansion of a West Vancouver highway that's being upgraded for the Olympics.

Harriet Nahanee died of pneumonia-related causes last month after serving a 14-day jail sentence for civil contempt but was also suffering undiagnosed lung cancer.

Const. Tim Fanning of the Vancouver police department says investigators will be taking a close look at the photo to determine if it's legitimate.

Police say those responsible for stealing the flag can expect to face criminal charges for theft and mischief.

Tewanee Joseph, executive director of the Four Host Nations, says he's not familiar with the group and hopes they'll drop off the flag.





Photo and letter they sent to police:
http://i16.tinypic.com/4dy3c7s.jpg

March 7th, 2007 Coast Salish Territory [Vancouver, Canada]

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 6th, 2007, we removed the Olympic Flag from its flag-pole at Vancouver City Hall. We pried open the access panel on the pole with a crowbar, using a bolt-cutter, cut the metal cable/halyard inside, cause the flag to fall to the ground.

We claim this action in honor of Harriet Nahanee, our elder-warrior, who was given a death sentence by the BC courters for her courageous stand in defending Mother Earth.

We stand in solidarity with those fighting against th destruction caused by the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

No Olympics on Stolen Land!

Native Warrior Society

[Delirium]

here's a pic of the oval from january. the city of richmond has a webpage devoted to it ( http://www.richmond.ca/discover/events/oval/construction.htm )and they post construction updates - albeit not that frequently!

http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Construction-Image-dated--2007-01-2416705.jpg

[mr.x2]

VANOC says venues being built on budget and 13 will be ready this year

By Jim Morris, Canadian Press
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007

VANCOUVER — Construction for the 2010 Winter Olympics is continuing on budget and 13 of the 15 venues will be ready for training and competition for the upcoming season, the Vancouver Olympic Games Organizing Committee says in its quarterly report released Thursday.

The venue construction budget for the Games is $580 million in taxpayers money. That includes the additional $110 million the federal and provincial governments contributed to the project when VANOC realized it couldn’t complete the venues for the original projected cost of $470 million.

The latest report, which covers the period from Nov. 1, 2006 to Jan. 31, 2007, shows VANOC’s revenue from marketing and sponsorship, the International Olympic Committee and other sources was $35.2 million. Expenses were $28.4 million.

Overall, VANOC’s operating revenue since being formed in 2003 is $121.8 million while operating expenses total $121.2 million.

VANOC’s venue development expenditures for the quarter were $59.5 million and now total $242 million since venue construction started.

Venues expected to be completed and ready for use this year include the Whistler Sliding Centre, the Whistler Nordic competition venue, the skiing venue in Whistler, Cypress Mountain, home for snowboard and freestyle skiing, GM Place in Vancouver and Hastings Park, home to figure skating and short-track speed skating.

“We are more than halfway through our venue development program and have allocated less of the venue construction contingency than forecast,” Dan Doyle, VANOC executive vice-president for construction, said in a release.

“We are on schedule, on budget and on target to meet our goals of ensuring early completion.”

VANOC’s next quarterly report, covering the three months ending April 30, 2007, will be available in June 2007.

On Tuesday VANOC said its board of directors had approved the Games business plan. John Furlong, VANOC’s chief executive officer, said he couldn’t be specific about the Games budget because the plan still needs to be approved by the B.C. government and Ottawa.

In the past VANOCc has estimated it will cost $1.7 billion to put on the Games. That expense will be covered by sponsorships, TV revenues, ticket and souvenir sales.

Those figures do not include the $580 million to build the competition venues.


© Canadian Press 2007

[mr.x2]

No organizing commitee, at least in the past few decades, has ever gotten their venues finished so quickly.....well done!

[Rusty Gull]

Apparently VANOC has changed the men's hockey tournament length from 38 days to 30 days. This leaves the UBC Winter Sports Centre with only 2 games from the men's tournament! (the other 28 will be played at GM Place).

Am I reading too much into things, or is this an insult to the university, which has invested so much into this infrastructure, and by extension, the Games.

[renthefinn]

It's not an insult IMO, but more of a recognition that UBC is financially prudent and not a fiscally responsible area to hold too many games!

[Rusty Gull]

Au contraire, wasn't the whole justification for for the redevelopment for the UBC Winter Sports Centre to host high profile Olympic events, such as Men's hockey games? This way, the university community can ser the fruits of its labours, in the way of international exposure for UBC? I, for one, am disappointed. What about everyone else? Any UBC residents/staff/faculty/alumni/students here on SSP who agree or disagree???

[fever]

They also added a huge parkade across the street from Thunderbird. But the worst thing about it is that they had to close the bar.

Thunderbird only had two good sized rinks before and two smaller ones?

[Rusty Gull]

From the VANOC website, regarding the UBC Winter Sports Centre:

Venue Description
UBC is a sprawling, ocean-side