[mr.x]

Hillcrest Curling Venue

Location: Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park
Distance from Vancouver Olympic Village: 4 km
Venue Capacity: 6,250 seats
Elevation: 74 m
Completion: Fall 2008

Venue Description
Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park is located in a lively Vancouver community that includes the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park and views of the North Shore mountains. This park is well served by public transportation.

Construction Update
The environmental assessment has been completed and the Olympic Mode design is nearing final completion. A construction manager has been retained for the project. Parking lot construction, site utility installations and bulk excavation are underway. Completion of the building shell is planned for 2007. The entire project will be completed in 2008.

Post-Games Use
After the 2010 Winter Games, the curling venue will become a multi-purpose community recreation centre that will include an ice hockey rink, gymnasium, library and six to eight sheets of curling ice. Attached to, and being constructed with the new curling venue/community centre, is a new aquatic centre with a 50-metre pool and leisure pool to be managed by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation


Curling Venue
- Partial second floor slab between the library and community centre has formed, and all rebar, electrical and mechanical systems are being placed prior to pouring the concrete.
- Concrete roof slabs over the curling club lounge and the echanical/electrical rooms will be poured next.
- The second structural steel truss that supports the roof over the Community Arena was erected on January 16th. The joists connecting the two main trusses and completing that roof are being installed now.
- Structural steel has been completed for the second floor gymnasium roof including all joists.
- Structural roof decking is complete over the curling rink, and will continue over the Arena and Gymnasium next.
- Masonry walls internally and along the east side are progressing well.
- Most of the refrigeration plant is in-place.
- Preparation work on the curling club rink slab is expected to start within the next two weeks.

Aquatic Facility
- Installation of the second floor concrete slab between the change room and fitness studio is complete, and formwork has started for the walls at that level.
- Formwork for the remainder of the pool decks is in-place.
- The glulam beams that will support the Aquatic area roof are either onsite or on their way to site from the fabricator, and the wood for the rest of the roof structure is being painted.
- Hundreds of underground pipes required for the hot pool and leisure pool are being installed to allow for all the water jets and fun features in the design.

Post Olympic Facility Use
Post Olympics the curling venue will convert to the new Riley Park Community Centre, library, Vancouver Curling Club and public ice rink. To make the most of construction efficiencies, the new Percy Norman Pool will be built at the same time. An indoor concourse will connect the facilities with the new pool featuring a leisure tank, 50 meter lap pool and an outdoor aquatic element.

Project Cost and Funding
- Curling Venue - $40.25 million (VANOC)
- Riley Park Complex (conversion) - $12.35 million (Park Board)
- Percy Norman Aquatic Centre - $31.86 (Park Board)

Size
- Hillcrest Curling Venue - 100,000 sq. ft. (9290 sq. meters)
- Percy Norman Aquatic Centre - 60,000 sq. ft. (5574 sq. meters)

Seats
Hillcrest Curling Venue - 6,000

Architect
Hughes Condon Marler Architects

Contractor
Stuart Olson Contractors

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)
To be built to LEED* Gold Standard. Heat recovered from ice-making operations will be used to heat the new Percy Norman Aquatic Centre. In addition, groundwater will be recovered for use in the dual flush toilets at the new complex.
* LEED – a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high performance, sustainable buildings.

Expected Completion
Fall 2008

Test Events Prior to 2010 Winter Games
TBA


http://www.vancouver2010.com/images/venue_display/hillcrest_park.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7221/42608422tv3.jpg

http://vancouver.ca/olympics/images/venues/hillcrest.jpg

[mr.x]

View from Library slab to Curling Club
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/896/12884898at3.jpg



View of Ice Rink with Millenium Building in back
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/4148/17628269jp9.jpg



http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4461/32369353hc0.jpg



http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/1710/26620679ji8.jpg




Gymnasium north wall steel supports
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/2044/87935752mr9.jpg



Delivery of very large glulam (wood) beam
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7045/38962235dv8.jpg





http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/9561/12932698hg8.jpg





http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7170/48431918ve2.jpg




http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6218/10db7.jpg




http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7806/11yf4.jpg

[excel]

Thanks for finally posting some info on this guy.

[deasine]

i love how this venue will become a really nice community center, a great addition to the area, especially knowing their will be future development along Main St. and Cambie St.

[EastVanMark]

This project is and will be just awesome after the 2010 games. That whole area will be a hub for a wide array of leisure activities and will serve the whole city, not just the immediate neighborhoods. The project has the potential to be the flagship for the idea for use after the games.

[deasine]

This project is and will be just awesome after the 2010 games. That whole area will be a hub for a wide array of leisure activities and will serve the whole city, not just the immediate neighborhoods. The project has the potential to be the flagship for the idea for use after the games.

And it's directly served with transit: #33 Bus 29th Avenue/UBC. It's within two blocks away from Main Street #3 as well as the future 33rd Avenue Canada Line station.

[SFUVancouver]

^ #33 29th-UBC? They started that route already?

[mr.x]

Vanoc Update: Curling

Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, February 18, 2008

Construction on the Hillcrest curling venue is well underway. Contractors have completed the structural concrete work and much of the structural steel installation. Preparation work, such as surface grading and drainage, has begun and contractors are expecting delivery of the facility's mechanical equipment for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Stuart Olson Inc. is the main contractor for the $82.2-million facility ($38 million contributed by Vanoc), which includes a new library, community centre and swimming pool for post-Games use. Completion of the Hillcrest facility is set for December of this year.

[mr.x]

Taken today by zivan 56:


http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/qepark/DSCF4085.jpg

http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/qepark/pano-curling.jpg

http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/qepark/DSCF4081.jpg

http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/qepark/DSCF4065.jpg

[SFUVancouver]

Wow, it is way further along that I had expected. I must say I unfairly judge the progress of the Vancouver venues based soley off of the Trout Lake practice facility, which has only completed the demolition phase.

[crazyjoeda]

I think all the competition venues are already done or almost done.

[mr.x]

I think all the competition venues are already done or almost done.

All of the sport venues are done except UBC Winter Sports Centre, Hillcrest Olympic Centre, and Richmond oval. All three venues will be opened by summer/early-fall 2008.

All of the Whistler venues and improvements to Cypress are long finished.

[excel]

^impressive.

[zivan56]

New panorama (by me) taken today:
http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/2008/april%2030/pano_curling.jpg

http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/2008/april%2030/DSCF4568.jpg

[mr.x]

it's coming along quickly! thx for the update!

[Delirium]

the city posted some construction updates on their website

Curling Venue roof
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/hc.jpg

South facing view of wall and roof installation on the Aquatic Facility
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/hc1.jpg

source; http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/info/2010Olympics/hillcrest_factsheet.htm

[vanman]

Great update. I'm liking those wood beams.

[mr.x]

any updates?

[raggedy13]

Love the wood. :yes:

[zivan56]

Took these last weekend:

http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/misc/sept13_08/DSCF5258.jpg

http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/misc/sept13_08/DSCF5260.jpg

http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/misc/sept13_08/Untitled-1.jpg

http://www.iwdstudio.com/pictures/misc/sept13_08/Untitled-2.jpg

[mr.x]

http://www.pnsc.ca/Images/Percy%20norman%20aquatic%20front.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/2475/c10yn3.png

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1381/c11lh2.png

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http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/5714/cc9ay3.png

[mr.x]

http://media.metronews.topscms.com/images/d5/97/7e93d5cd49618d8f9e1744dcae00.jpeg


Hurry, hurry - last Olympic venue opens on time
First rock 'lands' on the button at curling facility that will become a community hub after the Games

MARK HUME
February 20, 2009 // Globe & Mail

VANCOUVER -- When the first, ceremonial rock slid down the flawless ice in the new Olympic curling centre it was slightly off target - so Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson gave it a nudge with his broom.

The rock hit the button, coming to rest in the centre of a blue circle that in one year's time will be the focus of the world's greatest curlers and millions of fans.

The mayor's nudge might not have been what John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympics, had in mind when he said completion of the venue will give Canadian athletes "home-field advantage" in the Games.

But it worked yesterday as Mr. Robertson, Mr. Furlong, Premier Gordon Campbell and other dignitaries used the perfectly placed rock (and another thrown on an adjacent ice sheet by a wheelchair curler) to mark the official opening of the last Olympic venue to be completed.

The opening comes just one week short of a full year before the Games begin.

"This is a simply wonderful day for Vancouver 2010. ... Our team is feeling a great deal of pleasure today but also a great deal of thanks," said a beaming Mr. Furlong, shortly after the General Brock Elementary School choir sang the national anthem.

There is still some plywood cribbing up, much interior finishing has yet to be done and there is raw landscaping outside, but the $39-million Vancouver Olympic Centre is ready enough to play host this weekend to the 2009 World Wheelchair Curling Championship.

The building also includes a new $34-million aquatic centre (still under construction) and after the Games, the complex will have evolved to include a library, community centre and an NHL-sized hockey rink.

Located in Hillcrest Park, which is just across the road from Queen Elizabeth Park in the centre of Vancouver, the new facility is destined to become a community focal point.

Mr. Furlong thanked all of those who have worked to help make the Games happen.

"Without all of you ... this dream that we had, which we scratched on paper over a decade ago would still be a dream. Someone else would have the Olympic and Paralympic Games," he said.

"Because of what you've done and what you've contributed, this will not just be a stunning Olympic sport theatre but it will be a place where young children and families will grow up for generations," Mr. Furlong added.

He urged people to think about what it will be like in the building on the final end, when he hopes Canada will win curling gold.

"There will be a crowd in here, the largest ever to watch an Olympic curling event, of 6,000. It will be a stunning theatre. And can you just imagine what it will be like, with a Canadian athlete holding last rock?" Mr. Furlong said.

"It will be a time like no other. It will be pure magic and we will all be witness to it. And after the Games are over and we've seen this extraordinary thing happen, young boys and girls will come in here and enjoy this building and they will always be told the stories of the great adventure that took place in here," he said.

Mr. Furlong said that getting all the Olympic venues done well in advance of 2010 means that Canadian athletes will have time to get used to the facilities before the Games begin. He said VANOC accelerated the building program specifically "to create home-field advantage," and also because organizers didn't want to be worried about construction issues in the final Games runup.

Mr. Robertson, who rode his bike to the opening ceremonies from his office at City Hall, some 20 blocks away, said Vancouver can use the building to show off its commitment to the environment.

The building is constructed to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green-building standards.

Mr. Robertson said recycled and regional materials were used in construction, a system that reduces water use by 30 per cent was adopted, and excess heat from ice-slab cooling will help heat the complex.

"This building is very special," he said. "The world will find a city here that leads."

***

Water and ice

In 2010, Olympic curling will be played in the state-of-the-art facility, but it was designed for a post-Games life as well. The site will eventually include a swimming pool, a hockey rink and more.

AQUATIC CENTRE:

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Lap Pool

Leisure Pool

Outdoor Pool

COSTS
Curling venue $39m
Post-Games conversion $14m
Aquatic centre $35m
Total $88m

CURLING VENUE:

COMPLETED

Olympic curling sheets (to be converted to NHL-size rink)

Curling ice (post-Games)

Refrigeration Plant

Hillcrest Park

NINIAN CARTER/THE GLOBE AND MAIL

SOURCE: VANOC

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090220.BCOLYMPIC20/TPStory/National

[johnjimbc]

I have to caveat this comment by stating up front that I am very glad to see all the venues are coming along so well. However, I have had one gripe about some of the coverage this past couple of weeks.

I have seen in print so many times that all the Olympic sport venues are "complete" now, yet I actually went to the ICBC four continents figure skating event one evening just two weeks ago, and it was clearly not quite complete. There was an even an article at the time about the fact that the ice was not Olympic size yet (not quite wide enough due to a delay getting the proper sized "boards" upon which the ice is formed). The article indicated that some skaters who had arrived were surprised to see the arena ice was not formed to Olympic dimensions as they too had been under the impression it would be in the Olympic configuration for the competition. The ice was within international figure skating dimensions (of course, in order to be able to hold the event), but it was NOT Olympic size. It also looked like there was still some work being completed within the building itself, though all the main elements were in place.

I just find it a little shady to so boldly pronounce the completed venues when at least one still has some work being completed. It makes me suspect that others still have plenty of finishing touches as well.

I know there must have been substantial pressure to state positive things with the Olympics just one year away. I just wish they would say "substantially complete" or something like that, rather than make such prominent statements that aren't 100% accurate. Having the arena ice not yet to the correct Olympic configuration is a bit more than just planting landscaping or finishing carpet installations in the common areas. In the end, it is the most important element.

[mr.x]

^ I agree with you, and with regards to the Pacific Coliseum there is still quite some work to be done. Same goes with BC Place, anticipated to receive $125-million in renovations before the Games.


Anyhow, some pretty pictures of the largest curling venue in Winter Games history - seating 6,000 (more than double the capacities of Salt Lake and Torino):


http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/2010olympics/hillcrest_photos.htm
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9793/26311133rf6.png

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/903/99426820wo2.png

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/3553/62043553gl2.png

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4148/50130982qm6.png

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/2123/18584036an9.png

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6919/55096527cu6.png

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3940/46691145ul6.png

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6413/18696778qd9.png






I still find it amazing how this is actually considered a sport....nevermind, an Olympic sport.

[Spork]

Curling looks like a lot of fun, but for some reason it is quite exclusive. Why do I need to join a club in order to play in a public facility? It should be like ice skating or any other public sports facility where you pay like $5-$10 per game or something.

[jlousa]

You don't need to be a member of a club, it's kind of like bowling in a way, there are lots of leagues but you can still drop in with friends to just play. I know I've gone with people from work a few times but I've never been the one to set it up. It's alot like golf in the sense that it's not too exciting to watch on tv but it's great when you're playing.

[metroXpress]

You don't need to be a member of a club, it's kind of like bowling in a way, there are lots of leagues but you can still drop in with friends to just play. I know I've gone with people from work a few times but I've never been the one to set it up. It's alot like golf in the sense that it's not too exciting to watch on tv but it's great when you're playing.

Thanks for explaining! I always thought that I had to join a club too.
Do you know where you can get lessons for curling? I feel like getting
some more practice and learning some new skills.

[SpongeG]

we used to do it through our church when i was a kid

and in elementary school they used to have jam can curling - they used cans filled with cement on a hockey ice rink

[Spork]

Thanks for explaining! I always thought that I had to join a club too.
Do you know where you can get lessons for curling? I feel like getting
some more practice and learning some new skills.

I second this. I wish to find out how to play some curling straight up. Looking at any relevant websites, it still looks like I have to join a club.

[SpongeG]

usually you join a league - its sort of like bowling - you either need to get a group together or join a league

its the only thing i ever got a trophy in - and i must say its a really extremely boring thing to do - most of the time you just stand around getting cold

[touraccuracy]

let's form an SSP team!

[Spork]

I don't have time for a league. I am still convinced that curling is an exclusive sport if I have to join a league. That is like saying you can't play baseball on a baseball diamond unless you have a league. All I should need is myself, five friends (give or take), and an open ice time.

[SpongeG]

well this is Vancouver - other than this are there even any curling rinks?

every little prarie town has one - its a small town sport

where i grew up in NE BC we had a curling rink and it was pretty much a league thing - it had its own bar and social events etc

i don't know if people ever did it just for fun cause honestly its not fun

at least bowling is fun

curling is honestly dull and lame if you're wanting something to do as a pickup its not the thing to choose

[djun]

well this is Vancouver - other than this are there even any curling rinks?

There is also the Marpole Curling Club, Arbutus Club, and Richmond Curling Club, where the first two are in Vancouver and the last really close to Vancouver, near the Richmond Oval (I think). So all in all, 3 rinks and 1 close to Vancouver.

[SpongeG]

thats not that many really

Beaverlodge is a small town of 2000 in alberta and it has a rink, hythe which is about 20 km form there and is even smaller with something like 750 people even has a curling rink

its pretty normal for small nowhere towns to have a curling rink

kinda weird

[raggedy13]

There is a curling rink next to Centennial Arena in White Rock. That's the only other one I know of, but I guess there must be a descent number around the Metro, which is kind of surprising.

[wrenegade]

There is curling at the Northshore Winter Club and at Hollyburn (private) on the North Shore. Not sure about the Rec Centres, but I would imagine there would be a couple sheets of ice at one of the North Van ones. West Van might be too small.

[Locked In]

There is also the Marpole Curling Club, Arbutus Club, and Richmond Curling Club, where the first two are in Vancouver and the last really close to Vancouver, near the Richmond Oval (I think). So all in all, 3 rinks and 1 close to Vancouver.

Some and friends and I did drop-in curling at the Richmond Curling Club once a few years back - maybe they still do that there? My friend called ahead to check times, but it wasn't too expensive IIRC. And it was super fun! Puts bowling to shame...

[NewfBC]

thats not that many really

Beaverlodge is a small town of 2000 in alberta and it has a rink, hythe which is about 20 km form there and is even smaller with something like 750 people even has a curling rink

its pretty normal for small nowhere towns to have a curling rink

kinda weird

But what else do they have? Seawall, Grouse, Cypress?

Ron.

[SpongeG]

But what else do they have? Seawall, Grouse, Cypress?

Ron.

hmm

i was trying to point out that curling is a small town prarie sport

probably why vancouver doesn't have that much interest in it
or venues for it

But such as myself and People I knew who grew up in Prarie country its part of our childhood and growing up at the rink

[Canadian Mind]

Curling is alot of fun, and really not that hard to learn how to do. For sweeping it's liek learning to skate for the first time again, because of balancing on a single plastic pad on the ice. The other big thing to learn is proper form when throwing the rock, aiming it, and turning it the right way.

Problem is getting good at it;, again, much like bowling.


I learned how to curl in a prarie town that grew from 1500 to 2000 in 5 years (Carstairs). When the rink was first built soon after centennial, the pop. of the town wasn't much more than 1000.

So based on that MetroVan should have 2200 rinks. :P

[metroXpress]

Hummm...still no clue where to get some lessons.
We should form a group for us SSP! The problem is where?

[SpongeG]

^^^ get lessons from a league

http://www.prcl.ca/ << (Gay & Lesbian league)

http://www.vancouvercurlingclub.com/

http://www.curlingrink.ca/city.php?city=vancouver

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM2Q56

http://www.vccthursdayopen.com/

most of those sites say ice time is for league members only though they are all "public" ice time is not

[metroXpress]

^ Thank you so much..I'll take a look soon.

[Coldrsx]

it is fun and much harder than people think...

[dreambrother808]

:previous:

agreed, it's definitely a skill game, the satisfying kind that requires a lot of focused concentration but also a degree of luck.

[mr.x]

A few pics from Flickr at the wheelchair curling tournament.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3298652052_249a27398b_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3297841803_86cbb13834_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3298658352_344b9168e8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3298654806_0738b4e020_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3297845161_6a9d514a5b_b.jpg