| Olympic Games: 2010 Venues Construction Update |
| Written by Administrator | |
| Thursday, 20 March 2008 | |
![]() Hillcrest Curling Venue Southeast False Creek Live Sites Pacific Coliseum Killarney and Trout Lake Community Ice Rinks Hillcrest Curling Venue Southeast False Creek, one of Vancouver’s last waterfront industrial sites, is being redeveloped as a model for urban sustainability. A district heating system and energy efficient buildings are two of the measures that will reduce energy use on the site by more than 50%. Water use will be reduced by over 50%, and car share vehicles will be required in the larger buildings. Both affordable (low income) and middle income rental housing is being developed along with market housing. The central part of the Southeast False Creek neighbourhood will be the Olympic Village for the 2010 Winter Games, and construction will be completed in November 2009. After 2010, part of the village will be converted to a new state-of-the-art community centre. The Southeast False Creek Seawall between Science World and the Cambie Bridge is open for pedestrians and wheeled users, which means the city’s seaside pathway system now stretches more than 22 kilometres. The new habitat island is finished, and at the end of the month a 40 metre steel truss foot bridge will open across a new inlet on the foreshore. Planning continues on the two downtown Live Sites, one at David Lam Park and other on Georgia Street. When completed, these alcohol-free sites will feature free ‘live’ main stage entertainment, giant broadcast screens, sponsor activities and the opportunity to mingle with guests and athletes from around the world. The Pacific Coliseum will house the Figure Skating and Short Track Speed Skating Competitions during the 2010 Winter Games. Most of the renovation has been completed, and the facility now features new seating, a new ice plant, a new scoreboard and improvement to the concession spaces and restrooms. An elevator is being installed to increase overall accessibility. The aging Killarney and Trout Lake community ice rinks are in the process of being replaced, and the new facilities will be used as practice venues for figure skating and short track speed skating during the 2010 Winter Games. After the Games these brand new rinks will be enjoyed by a wide range of community skaters. |