Venue : BC Place Could Still be Retrofitted

News continues to flow regarding the potential retrofitting of BC Place Stadium with a new, retractable roof.

It was reported last week by 1040 that the retrofit had all but been confirmed. Then a team was spotted attaining core samples of the building's concrete inside and out and also of the surrounding area. It has now been speculated that the proposal, which needs to be passed by the BC Provincial Legislature may go before the house today.

One things for certain, with only 20 months remaining this could be a very risky gamble.

The current roof will need to be replaced shortly after the 2010 Olympics but a new fabric dome top would only cost approx. $20M vs. the $150-250M potential costs for a retractable roof.

Venue : BC Place - Vancouver's Big Gamble

So it turns out that media reports blogged about here 'confirming' that the retrofit of BC Place Stadium to be fitted with a retractable roof in place of it's current air-supported fabric domed top in time for the 2010 Winter Olympic games are not yet true.

What is true is that both BC Premier Gordon Campbell and David Podmore, the construction exec in charge of revamping the stadium want it done.

The scary thing is that upon entry of this blog there are only 654 days left until the opening ceremonies. In construction terms that is a pretty short time-line, especially when talking about major projects involving extensive engineering, fabrication, etc.

VANOC has been well ahead of schedule with every other venue. Most venues are scheduled to be completed sometime this year! Although a retrofit of BC Place was not a part of the original 2010 bid any renovations could cause serious concerns for VANOC, the IOC, and the entire world.

Athen's showed us that poor planning and late starts on construction, including stadium retrofits, are NOT a good idea. The possible BC Place stadium retrofit would be incredible for the opening ceremonies (if it wasn't raining), and would be a welcome addition to BC Lion's games (when it isn't raining), MLS soccer matches perhaps (when it's not raining), etc. But seeing as it normally rains in February & March anyways, and the timeline is getting VERY tight the drive to retrofit the stadium could be Vancouver's biggest gamble of the games!

More from Miro Cernetig, Vancouver Sun.

Print Media Supplier: Canwest

The largest owner of Canadian newspapers including the Vancouver Sun and The Province, Canwest Publishing Inc., has signed an official supplier agreement with VANOC.

In exchange for offering advertising space to Vancouver 2010 the publishing group will be able to use official logos and such.

The deal does not include the flagship National Post and editorial independence has been guaranteed.

Official Supplier agreements fall in the value range of $3-10M.

Official Supplier: Molson, eh!

Their official name isn't Molson, eh! it's Molson Coors Brewing Company and if you attend a 2010 Olympic venue and plan to enjoy a beverage of the fermented variety you'll be enjoying one of their products.

Molson, who merged a couple of years ago with Coors, is the oldest brewing company in Canada. Their brands include Molson Canadian, Molson Export, Molson Dry, Coors Light, Pilsner, Corona, Rickard's, and more.

The contract starts January 1, 2009, and Molson also gets sponsorship rights for the Canadian Olympic team in 2010, and the London 2012 Games.

Cheers!

Venue : BC Place Stadium Retrofit 'Confirmed'

Team 1040, a local sports radio station, is reporting that the retractable roof retrofit of BC Place Stadium has been confirmed. Stay tuned for more firm confirmation on this major news piece.

Recently crews from Mud Bay Drilling were seen taking core samples around the stadium in what was believed to be an effort to further determine the structural integrity of the building since a retractable roof would no doubt weigh considerably more than the current air-supported fabric dome.

Interestingly, in a report from 24 Hours Bob Mackin a roof engineering specialist from Texas noted that he considered it an impossibility to commence and complete construction of a new retractable roof for BC Place in time for the 2010 Olympic Games.

It should also be noted that a retrofit of BC Place Stadium was not a part of the VANOC 2010 Olympic bid.

Vancouver 2010 and Earth Day

In honour of Earth Day I thought I'd point you back to VANOCs Sustainability Report that was released March 31, 2008 and was the subject of a previous blog post.

Areas VANOC says it's working on improving and/or focusing on over the next 12 months include:

• transportation planning
• avoiding disruption or displacement in inner-city communities during Games-time
• additional reductions in carbon emissions and development of a program for neutralizing or offsetting the carbon footprint of the Games
• food and beverage services
• diverting further waste from landfill
• training, recruitment and business opportunities for inner-city residents and businesses, Aboriginal communities, persons with a disability, and social and environmental enterprises
• public participation opportunities that increase awareness of sustainable living choices

For the complete report please visit VANOCs website here.

$14.7M Shows Off BC in Beijing

British Columbia is spending nearly $15M to show off at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Orca Creative Group was hired to transform the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall into a little piece of BC and Canada away from home. The same group also designed the exhibit.

The pavilion will open next Saturday, April 26th, 2008 for a soft launch and will be officially opened by British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and David Emerson, the federal Olympics minister on May 22.

The Turino log cabin saw 100,000 visitors through it's ornately carved doors during and after the 2006 Winter Olympics. This new iteration of the British Columbia Pavilion is bigger and flashier, a token to it's new locale, and is merely a stone's throw away from Tienanmen Square in the heart of Beijing.

[Photo by A tea but no e]

13 steel rings covered in BC made waste-wood product Silva Panel frame the entrance to the building. Once inside a 4.5 tonne jade centrepiece called The Emperor's Sunrise carved by Vancouver's George Pratt and Syd Belzberg. The gem-quality stone was mined from Dease Lake.

The traditional Chinese elements of metal, wood, water, earth, and fire will guide the exhibit.

A 225 year old "Spirit Tree" will be a centrepiece, as in Turin, this one used to grace Prospect Point in Stanley Park before being blown down in 2006.

More from Jeff Lee.

Fakes Flood Beijing

That's probably the most shocking statement of the year! Okay, maybe not. It's not really a surprise that the kingdom of copies would be flooded with fake Olympic memorabilia.

In contrast, since November VANOC has encountered only a handful of stores that it has had to monitor and in turn had to hire legal counsel from firms specializing in trademark protection.

So far no one has tried to fake the holographic tags that infer the legitimacy of Vancouver 2010 Olympic items.

Surprisingly, Vancouver's most famous Olympic brand infringement case against Olympia Pizza, a long-time user of the rings in its signage on Denman Street in Vancouver's west side is still ongoing, after 5 years.

Back in Beijing, one of the few places you won't find Olympic knock-offs is the place that is historically most famous for its fakes - Silk Road Market. The market struck a deal with the Beijing Organizing Committee and as such as a booth on the main floor where one can get the real deal. But step outside and you'll be back to the fakes you came for.

More from VancouverSun.com.

Vancouver Mascots Shown by US Firm

Despite Sumi, Quatchi, and Miga being the brainchildren of local, Canadian designers the short animated film to introduce them to the world was created by a US Firm.

The film in question was released in November and created by Buck a company with offices in New York and Los Angeles. It's not surprising that VANOC would want to have the best product possible created to show-off the 2010 mascots but the fact remains that Vancouver is home to many strong illustration firms that could conceivably created a product as good or better than the US firm.

VANOC claims that Buck offered the most compelling pitch. The group of companies that pitched the video included Canadian corporations but at the end of the day being Canadian alone does not guarantee a firm a VANOC contract although it certainly does give one an edge.

More from the Vancouver Sun.

Punjabi Market to get India Gate

In an area of Vancouver sometimes referred to as Little India a new testament to the cities vast multi-culturalism is set to be erected. The traditional South Asian shape will mark their contribution to the city much like the Millennium Gate does for Chinatown.

Premier Gordon Campbell is set to officially announce the project during this upcoming weekends Vaisakhi parade in South Vancouver, near the spot where the gate will go at 50th Avenue and Main Street.

The gate is anticipated to cost $3M and with construction commencing in time to have the gate completed prior to the 2010 Olympics.

More from the Vancouver Sun.

Photo courtesy of Canada.com.

Venue : Skating Oval Roof Membrane Fungus

Unless your talking about mushrooms fungus is normally not the most desired topic of conversation. This is one of those times as apparent fungi and algae have been discovered on one of the layers of insulation of the roof at the Richmond Oval which will be used for long track speed skating during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The roof membrane will have to be replaced at a cost of approximately $2M. Fortunately this is within the project's contingency and should not affect the overall timeline.

More from NEWS1130.com.

Possible First Nations Protests During 2010

Phil Fontaine, the national chief of First Nations peoples in Canada, acknowledged today at a press conference unveiling May 29 as the second annual National Day of Action for First Nations, that there has been some discussion among chiefs to use the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as an opportunity to gain international recognition of the plight that many First Nation's Communities face.

This revelation that protests may occur is "a bit odd" according to Chuck Strahl, the federal minister in charge of Indian Affairs. This especially true since the four bands who's homeland will host the games has been extensively consulted with throughout the Olympic process, ensured a positive economic impact, and given a significant role in planning the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.

But the fact remains that many of Canada's poorest residents are members of the First Nations. The poverty that some of these bands deal with is simply inhumane. Some reserves are without basic medical or education facilities. Other bands who have economic optimism are often bogged down in years of legal bureaucracy when trying to develop 'their' lands because the properties no longer fall under city or municipal planning rules but under separate, vague guidelines.

Canada has work to do, but the potential protesting at the Olympics, in a province trying very hard to settle native land claims in good faith, is quite interesting.

More from Canada.com.

2217 Slides Down, Several To Go

The Whistler Sliding Centre which got it's official homologation from the International Luge Federation and the International Bobsleigh and Toboggan Federation during the first week of March 2008 has 2217 slides under its' belt.

Canada now has two of the fifteen tracks in the world. The track built of the 88 Olympics in Calgary is known as one of the slower tracks worldwide. The new 1458 metre track in Whistler may be the fastest sliding track in the world.

"By the time [a luge athlete] exits curve one he is going 70 kilometres per hour, when he exits curve two, he is going 90 kilometres an hour, and by the time he crosses the finish line he is going 145 kilometres an hour," said Team Canada luge athlete and 2006 Torino Olympian Jeff Christie.

This second Canadian sliding centre, potentially the fastest in the world, will greatly assist the sliding sport athletes in their drive to Own The Podium in 2010.

The centre will host two world cups and should be fully operational for the 2008-2009 season. During the off-season a few minor details will be completed on the facility.

More info from Vancouver2010.com.

Canada Wins World Curling Title

Kevin Martin and his teammates clinched the men's world championship curling title in Grand Forks, North Dakota over the weekend. The team from Canada beat out skip David Murdoch and his team from Scotland 6-3 on Sunday to secure the title.

Martin, 41, has seen several world championships and Brier's. One of his most notable accomplishments would be winning the silver medal for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. The gold medal was won by Norway.

The win here at the 2008 World Championships gives Martin and his team the first birth in the 2009 Olympic qualifier.

Martin's team includes Marc Kennedy, John Morris, and Ben Herbert all of the Edmonton-Calgary area.

VANOC Updates Virtually Unnoticed

To no surprise the issues surrounding the International Torch Relay for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics has consumed world media, the Beijing Organizing Committee, and of course the IOC.

In light of that when there was little dissection given to the reports given by VANOC at a conference of some 700 Olympic committee delegates in Beijing this past week.

VANOC CEO John Furlong and National Olympic committee services director Andreja McQuarrie gave a presentation to ANOC, the Association of National Olympic Committees, after which no questions were asked.

Later in the week, Furlong and Cathy Priestner Allinger gave a presentation to the IOC that again went without scrutiny.

The lack of questions could be merely due to members thoughts being focused on the torch relay and potential further issues that will come up as the Beijing Olympics approach, but it was also a sign of confidence in the steady, quiet progress of the Vancouver organizing committee.

Of further confidence in the Vancouver games is the high quality of not only the sports venues, 9 of which are now complete, but also in the Olympic Villages and other Venues. In the past, some athletes have refused to reside in Olympic Villages due to the sub-standard quality of housing.

More from Canada.com.

Winter2010Rentals Forum

With less than two years to go it's time to start thinking about your time at Vancouver 2010. Whether you're looking for a rental or offering a rental Winter2010Rentals.com is your complete source for the Winter Olympics.

Winter2010Rentals has plenty of information on it's website from venues, to tips & suggestions, and more.

Winter2010Rentals has set up a blog to help you keep track of up-to-date news.

Winter2010Rentals has also assembled a 100% Free Rental Forum for you to post both Wanted Ads and advertisements Offering Rentals.

Winter2010Rentals will continue to provide you with 100% Free information as the Vancouver Whistler joint Olympic Games approaches.

VANOC Says Global Torch Relay Unlikely

Although VANOC says it has never considered a global torch relay as a part of it's 2010 festivities it now seems almost certain that the relay will be almost solely focused on Canadian soil.

John Furlong spoke in Beijing after a meeting with the IOC and said that the torch relay for the Vancouver games would focus on Canada. Stops in Europe on the way from Olympia, Greece, may be considered.

There has never been a global torch relay for the winter olympic games.

The planned Vancouver 2010 torch relay through Canada already involves 1,000 cities, 35,000 km and 200 celebrations over 100 days. About 12,000 runners will carry the flame.

More from Yahoo!India.

Beijing : Terror Plot Foiled

Officials in the People's Republic of China are claiming to have foiled a major terrorist plot aimed at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

45 people have been arrested in the Northwest region of the country, an area that is predominantly Muslim.

Officials claim the group was planning to kidnap athletes, journalists, and tourists. Some reports also claim that the group was planning suicide bombing attacks at the games.

More from the Telegraph.

VANOC : Quarterly Report

On March 14, 2008 VANOC released their most recent quarterly report for the period ending January 31, 2008.

The reports highlights include a still rosy financial outlook, increased merchandise sales, and healthy cash surplus.

With just under two years until the Olympic Games commence the organizing committee has spent under a fifth of it's total operating budget of $1.63B. Operation spending will however be considerably ramped up as the start of the games commence.

Strong Olympic merchandise sales will not be reflected until the next quarterly report.

Sponsorship: Closing in on the Goal

VANOC initially set to raise $760M from domestic corporate sponsorship, after the month of March where it saw at least $29M raised it has now secured some $710M of it's goal.

One of the largest, recent sponsors was BC Hydro, signed on as an Official Supplier by pledging $20M worth of services to supply backup power.

To learn more about the sponsors of Vancouver 2010 visit VANOCs webpage.

Freestylers Free of Funds

This last season, Canadian freestyle snowboarders received no direct funding from the Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF). This was in response to their desire to ride where and when they wanted, to take off to shoot a film or product photoshoot, to simply be free.

What they did get was continued indirect support of performance enhancements -- wax technicians, physio, massage therapy, etc. -- at World Cups and team camps.

Despite this limited direct support for the 2007/2008 season Canadian freestyle snowboarders had impressive finishes on the World Cup stage. Lipscomb, 28, ended up winning the final World Cup in Italy and fellow Canadians also had strong showings.

The CSF is hoping that Own the Podium (OTP) will increase 2008/2009 funding from $1.4M to $2M. If OTP increases funding to this level the CSF plans to have an official six-boarder national team.

There's no doubt that owning the podium for freestyle snowboarding will be a challenge. Many European countries have strong riders and the American's could also take the podium.

More on freestyle snowboard sponsorship from the Vancouver Sun.

North Vancouver RFPs for Public Outdoor Amenities

The City of North Vancouver has posted a bid notice on their website of expressions of interest with regards to five public outdoor amenties. The sites include the Burrard Dry Dock Pier, Shipbuilder's Square, Waterfront Park, Kings Mill Walk, and Civic Centre Square.

One of the more obvious fits might be for cruise ships to be used as floating hotel rooms for visitors to the Olympic Games. These could be docked at Shipbuilder's Square or the Burrard Dry Dock Pier. The floating hotels would offer excellent views and great access to transit.

The complete PDF from the City of North Vancouver's website can be found here.

Athlete: Hayley Wickenheiser

Hayley Wickenheiser has been a constant force on Canada's National Women's Ice Hockey team for several years now. She has singlehandedly struck fear into the hearts of entire nations. Once again she has been highlighted for her grit and determination by being named by Sports Illustrated as one of the Top 25 Toughest Active Athletes.

Wickenheiser is expected to lead Team Canada as the team's Captain for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games.

Official Supplier: Millennium Development Corporation

On March 20, 2008 VANOC announced that Millennium Development Corporation has signed on an Official Supplier of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. As a supplier they have made a financial contribution in the amount of $3M to the games.

Millennium has had several high-profile, well-received developments in the Greater Vancouver Area. Highlights have included the Water's Edge community in West Vancouver on the shores of the Capilano River and the master-planned 7-tower community in South-Burnaby known as City-in-the-Park.

The City of Vancouver awarded the bid for the Olympic Village to Millennium in 2006. The village will house some 3000 athletes during the games and will be an active athlete community from November 1, 2009 until March 30, 2010. The development is scheduled to be completed by Millennium in October and then it will be handed over to VANOC.

After the athletes have returned to their international homes, the Olympic Village will be handed back to Millennium in April 2010 where it will assume its post-Games legacy design. The first phase of homes has been sold. Phase Two, of the development known as Millennium Water is being marketed by Rennie Marketing with previews starting April 5, 2008.

More info on this from VANOC here.

New Canadian Alpine Ski Coach Named

Just a day after the resignation of Marjan Cernigoj, the Canadian Alpine Ski Team has named a new coach, Patrick Riml. Most recently Riml has worked with the US Ski Team. Having ties to canada, his wife is from Alberta, he is very excited to join the Canadian team on their drive for top finishes in 2010.

The Canadian women's team is coming off it's best World Cup in 20 years!

More from Canada.com.

Canada Line Baby Step

What was originally dubbed the RAV line and eventually named the Canada Line had a major milestone yesterday, April 1st, 2008. On a small section of track from the River Rock station to the Airport a train was run in the first of many testing phases.

Each train, built by Hyundai, will hold approx. 400 passengers seated and standing. The trains are a fixed length and cannot have passenger cars added to them so to increase capacity more trains will have to be added.



Each section of track will have to be tested to ensure no rubbing and to verify if any adjustments need to be made.

More from a Global TV News report:

Canadian Snowboard Team Coach Fired

On the eve of the Canadian National Snowboard Championships to be held at Cypress Mountain the well liked Snow-Cross coach has been let go.

Rene Brunner, an Austrian, is already being missed by some of the top riders on the team. Both Maelle Ricker, the current World Champion, and Drew Nielson (2006-07 World Champion) have spoken out about their frustration with the snowboard federation's decision.

The specific reasons for the firing have not been revealed. What we do know is that Brunner still had one year on his current contract. He had been running the SBX team basically as a one-man-show until very recently when an assistant, Tim Milne, was hired with one month left on this years World Cup.

Some talks between Snowboard Canada and influential SBX team members have taken place since the canning. The SBX members want to dialogue about bringing Brunner back. It's not been ruled out.

More from the Vancouver Sun.

Canadian Alpine Ski Coach Resigns

Marjan Cernigoj who has coached the Canadian National Women's Alpine Ski Team for the last two seasons has resigned from his position. Under his tenure the team has had 7 World Cup podium finishes including two wins. The team has definitely made some progress in the goal to be the best ski racing nation by 2010.

A new coach is expected to be named soon.

More from Canada.com.