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Events
2007
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December 14, 2007
Whistler, British Columbia
November 8, 2007
Whistler Athlete's Village
November 7, 2007
Whistler, BC – November 7, 2007
September 21st, 2007
BC Ferries launch in Flensburg, Germany
September 11, 2007
International Olympic Committee Reception
July 6, 2007
The Richmond Speed Skating Oval marked a major construction milestone with the completion of the first roof span. When completed the Oval’s roof will be a massive 6.5 acres in size, feature one the longest clear spans in North America and will be almost entirely constructed from BC wood.
The event was organized by the City of Richmond and featured Federal Minister Gary Lunn, BC Minister Rich Coleman, VANOC VP Construction Dan Doyle and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. The partners spoke about their respective financial contributions towards this project and how pine beetle affected wood is a sustainable Canadian resource.
"Today’s raising of the roof at the Richmond Oval marks a milestone in our preparation for the 2010 Winter Games," said Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn, on behalf of David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver–Whistler Olympics. "Not only will this impressive facility become a lasting legacy for our community and our Canadian athletes, it will also showcase the advantages of working with lumber from post-beetle timber from the forests of British Columbia."
The 33,000 square-metre Oval is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008, with a 400-metre track and seating for approximately 8,000 spectators. In addition to being the home of speed skating competitions during the Olympic Games. The Oval will become an international centre of excellence for sports and wellness, special events and other activities.
The Government of Canada and Province of BC have each contributed $30 million to the Oval through the $580 million capital budget for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. In addition, the Government of Canada and Province of BC funded the Games Operating Trust, which will provide significant ongoing funding toward the operating costs of the Oval.
May 29, 2007
May 24, 2007
The Government of Canada supports the contributions our athletes make to Canadian identity, culture and society.
As a part of the 1000 Day Countdown series of events, the May 24th Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon focused on the "Own the Podium" initiative. CEO of Own the Podium - Roger Jackson, Vancouver Organizing Committee Executive Vice President, Sport, Paralympic Games and Venue Management – Cathy Priestner Allinger and MP for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam – James Moore, proudly stood side by side with some of this country’s most decorated Olympians to celebrate the event.
"Canada’s New Government is pleased to support Canada’s winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes through our $55 million commitment to the Own the Podium initiative" stated Mr. James Moore representing David Emerson - Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. "The goal is to ensure our athletes have the financial support they need now for their preparation for the 2010 Games".
Launched in January 2005, Own the Podium 2010 is a n ational sport initiative designed to help Canada’s winter athletes come in first in the medal count of the 2010 Olympic Games and place in the top three nations at the 2010 Paralympic Games. Key strategies include athlete recruitment, state–of–the–art research, enhanced sport science and medial services. It also includes additional resources, leadership and high performance programming to Canadian athletes, couches and support personnel for training and competition.
On hand at the luncheon were Veronica Brenner and Kristi Richards, former Freestyle Skiing National Team Members, along with Catroina Le May-Doan, former Speed Skating National Team Member.
May 22, 2007
Legacies Fund: 2010 to Have Lasting Benefits for Communities and Future Canadian Athletes.
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, along with Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, announced on May 22, 2007, how the jointly funded $110 million Games Operating Trust will ensure the 2010 Games venues in Richmond and Whistler leave lasting legacies for B.C. and Canada.
"The Olympic and Paralympic Games are about encouraging athletic participation, fostering community engagement, and building a sport legacy that will benefit all Canadians," said Emerson. "This Games Operating Trust demonstrates Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure lasting legacies for future athletes."
Shortly after Vancouver was awarded the right to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Government of Canada and B.C. Provincial government established the Games Operating Trust (GOT) to be a source of funding to support the operating and capital maintenance costs of certain legacy facilities being constructed in Richmond (the Richmond Oval) and in the Whistler area (the Whistler Sliding Centre and the Whistler Nordic Centre) for the Games.
The GOT ensures that funds will be available to assist pre-Games and post-Games operations of these three 2010 Winter Games legacy facilities and to support the development of amateur and high performance amateur sport well into the future. Establishing the fund before 2010 means that post-2010 business and sport plans can be developed knowing there is access to supplemental resources. The trust funds will assist in ensuring long-term success for the legacy facilities and for the high performance amateur sport programs that will utilize them.
The GOT was originally endowed with $110 million with 50% of the funds contributed by the Province of BC and the Government of Canada, respectively. The GOT has accumulated interest and investment income since its inception and has consequently grown to approximately $133.6 million.
February 27, 2007
Minister David Emerson Breaks Ground at 2010 Curling Venue and Green Legacy Project.
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, today participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park. The venue will be one of the most eco-friendly projects for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
"The Olympic partners have done some spectacular work in planning for the Games and looking at benefits for the community and the lasting social legacy", declared Minister Emerson. "It is also important that we look at sustainable and green building solutions when designing new projects and this impressive facility will be a shining example of that."
Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium, which will be fitted with temporary seating for the 2010 Winter Games, will host both the men’s and women’s curling events for the Olympic Games, as well as wheelchair curling for the Paralympic Games. Construction on the new arena starts in spring 2007 and be finished by fall 2008. Funding for the new facility is provided by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver,
After the 2010 Games, the curling venue will become a multipurpose community recreation centre that will house an ice hockey rink, gymnasium, library and up to eight sheets of curling ice. The new community recreation centre will later be connected to an aquatic centre with a 50-metre pool and a leisure pool, which will be managed by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.
February 27, 2007
Leeds Business Case Study for Hillcrest Curling Facility.
This report (.pdf) outlines a sustainable building design methodology, summarizes the LEED-Canada for New Construction Green Building Rating System (version 1.0), and proposes a wide range of sustainable measures that could be implemented in the Hillcrest Facility and Community Centre project design, as well as in other venues.
February 12, 2007
An excited crowd of approximately 2,000 gathered at the corner of Hornby and Georgia Streets over the noon hour on Monday, February 12 in downtown Vancouver. They celebrated the spirit of the 2010 Winter Games, which will begin on February 12, 2010, while anticipating the launch of the Official Countdown Clock for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. When the moment arrived spectators gasped as the enormous clock – measuring three metres wide, more than six metres high and weighing 1,170 kilograms – was unveiled.
"To reach the podium, an athlete needs to have a balance of energy, speed, and accuracy. And, it goes without saying that to place among the top three, timing is everything!" said David Emerson - Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. "As we begin this countdown to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, I salute all those who have made this moment possible. Three years and counting!" -
The clock showcases the contrasting urban and natural settings of the 2010 Winter Games. Steel and glass speak to both the thriving metropolis of Vancouver, Host City of the Games, and also the ice and snow at the heart of winter sport. The clock's red cedar tower evokes images of Canada's lush forest landscapes and pay tribute to Aboriginal culture and tradition.
Beijing, January 17, 2007
Minister Emerson Meets with Chinese Sport Minister Liu Peng.
Minister David Emerson met with Mr. Liu Peng, China's Minister of the General Administration of Sport, President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, and Executive President of the Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee, to discuss social and economic opportunities that come from hosting Olympic events and on how legacy projects can be established for the benefit of the public. The two Ministers will also share experiences and exchange knowledge on issues of common interest in terms of federal engagement in the planning and hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Minister Emerson also had an opportunity to tour some of the venues that will be used for the 2008 Olympic and the Paralympic Summer Games, including the National Stadium, which will be the location for the 2008 opening and closing ceremonies.
"Hosting the Games is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. As back-to-back hosts, Canada and China will have many opportunities to share experiences and to increase business, investment, and tourism between our two countries," said Minister Emerson.
