[deasine]

Looks like the premier still wants to revitalize Robson Square =P

http://www.2010internationalmediacentre.ca/images/slides_press_conf/press_02.jpg

PREMIER UNVEILS MEDIA CENTRE FOR 2010 GAMES


BEIJING – Premier Gordon Campbell today revealed plans for the 2010 International Media Centre (IMC). It is anticipated that over 3,000 of the reporters and writers who visit British Columbia in conjunction with the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are more likely focus on the B.C. communities, culture and businesses that will form the backdrop to the athletic competitions.

“Located in Robson Square, the centre will serve a diverse group of media representatives, in particular those who are not accredited by the International Olympic Committee. These media work for broadcast, print and web outlets in all corners of the globe,” said Premier Campbell. “There’s no better way to promote all our province has to offer than through the eyes of journalists drawn here by the Games.”

The 2,600-square-metre facility will offer the latest in communications technology in a comfortable and secure workspace featuring locally sourced materials. With carbon-neutral emissions and a zero carbon footprint, it will be the first-ever “green-certified” international media centre in the Games’ history.

The state-of-the-art facility is designed to be a one-stop-shop of resources for the world’s media community. The 2010 IMC will co-ordinate technology, information, transportation and hospitality, as well as access to officials and athletes for members of the press corps. Additionally, the 2010 IMC will also be a broadcast hub for a number of key domestic and international broadcast organizations.

The media centre will be adjacent to the Commerce Centre and showcase space in Robson Square. The complex at Robson Square is part of the Province’s strategy to promote B.C. as a trade, investment and tourism destination during the Games.

The cost of the IMC is estimated to be approximately $2.5 million, and is part of the Olympic Games Secretariat’s budget. Some of the costs of the IMC will be covered through sponsorships and through partnerships with suppliers.

Members of the domestic and international press corps are encouraged to apply for accreditation at the 2010 International Media Centre immediately at: www.2010internationalmediacentre.ca (http://www.2010internationalmediacentre.ca/).

The International Media Centre will begin operations Jan. 28, 2010 and remain open until Feb. 28, 2010.


Source: Government of British Columbia

[mr.x]

Quite impressive.

http://www.2010internationalmediacentre.ca/images/slides_media_services/media_02.jpg
http://www.2010internationalmediacentre.ca/images/slides_media_services/media_01.jpg
http://www.2010internationalmediacentre.ca/images/slides_media_services/media_05.jpg

Media Services

The unaccredited 2010 IMC is committed to providing journalists with state of the art all-inclusive, professional services during the Vancouver Olympic Games. The 2,600 square meter (28,000 square feet) facility has fully equipped working areas for all media: radio, print, web-based, photographic, and TV services.

The Centre will be a source of activity for journalists and will offer exclusive programming, and access and interview opportunities designed and dedicated for media.

The following are just some of the services and features to be provided in the 2010 IMC:

* Permanent and semi-permanent anchor set locations available to international broadcast media, with ability to fully tailor space to meet individual media needs
* Stand-up broadcast locations, interview rooms and studios
* Working spaces with telephone, AC power and internet outlets, and entire centre wired for broadband WiFi internet access
* Fully equipped for High Definition signals, and able to accommodate all of today's common broadcast and tape formats (NTSC and PAL).
* 140 Seat press amphitheatre that will host press conferences, briefings, forums and programming of interest to Media
* Daily press briefings and press conferences will provide media with key, up-to-the-minute information, access to athletes, key agencies and officials and other important story opportunities
* 24/7 Concierge, Store and Technical Help Desk for media needs
* Central Lounge/Bullpen with HD flat screens and feeds from Olympic venues allowing media to keep up to date on events for reporting needs, or relax in sports-bar environment while enjoying the Games
* Daily hospitality service available to working media on individual or group order basis (Note: All pricing will be extremely cost conscious with food and drink featuring the best BC has to offer).
* Robson Square location includes a large outdoor plaza, complete with functioning ice rink, that will be programmed to create usable backdrops for live television, photo opportunities for media, as well as introduce international media to many elements of Canadian sports and culture

[crazyjoeda]

Why robson square? It seems like it is pretty far from all the action.

[mr.x]

Why robson square? It seems like it is pretty far from all the action.

It's only for the unaccredited media.....the province already owns Robson Square, it's large enough for the venue, and the square needs renovations anyway.

It's hardly far from all the action, it's right in the middle of downtown, on Robson where all the action is, and a few blocks away from BC Place, GM Place, the live sites at Beatty bus depot and David Lam Park, and the IBC/MPC at the convention centre.

[sacrifice333]

Not open for the Paralympic Games?!

[twoNeurons]

So, I'm guessing they'll be taking over UBC Downtown for a couple of weeks.

Robson square is pretty central. The broadcast centre is just down the road and BC Place and GM Place are a stone's throw away.

[mr.x]

Not open for the Paralympic Games?!

Not to be mean, but the world basically leaves the city when the Paralympics start.

[LeftCoaster]

except those of us with a sick sense of humour :tup:

[sacrifice333]

Of course the media requirements for the Paralympic Games will be much less than those of the Olympic Games but as a government venue, funded by BC taxpayers, I'm a little surprised they wouldn't just keep it open for another month, considering the capital costs that will be put into in order to create something that resembles those fantastic renderings.

Seems like a bad PR move to me.

[dreambrother808]

http://www.2010internationalmediacentre.ca/images/slides_media_services/media_05.jpg
[

hopefully the end product is a little less banner intensive, or at least not just that one banner over and over and over again....

[mr.x]

hopefully the end product is a little less banner intensive, or at least not just that one banner over and over and over again....

....with each one saying "Best Place on Earth: British Columbia". :D

[crazyjoeda]

It's only for the unaccredited media.....the province already owns Robson Square, it's large enough for the venue, and the square needs renovations anyway.

It's hardly far from all the action, it's right in the middle of downtown, on Robson where all the action is, and a few blocks away from BC Place, GM Place, the live sites at Beatty bus depot and David Lam Park, and the IBC/MPC at the convention centre.


What I mean is no events are being held near Robson square. When you see the media in Beijing they usually are standing in front of a venue.

[LeftCoaster]

Well they are usually standing infront of a green screen somewhere in New York.

Am I the only one who is massively dissapointed by this plan?

[twoNeurons]

What I mean is no events are being held near Robson square. When you see the media in Beijing they usually are standing in front of a venue.

I don't think there are any events at or near the Broadcast Centre on the waterfront. Broadcasts are rarely in front of a venue unless they're "out in the field."

Most of the shots you've seen at the Beijing Olympics are screens.

[mr.x]

What I mean is no events are being held near Robson square. When you see the media in Beijing they usually are standing in front of a venue.

The main purpose of this media centre is to give unaccredited broadcasters some workspace. Each venue has its own media centre for broadcasters to broadcast events from that venue....you may recall seeing some blue tables in stadiums where there are usually seats.