The current financial meltdown continues to claim casualties, the most recent is one of the top-level IOC sponsors, Johnson & Johnson.
Read more here.
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
BC Proclaims Paralympic School Week
Paralympic School Week, Nov. 3-9, is a new and innovative program that will bring the spirit and the values of the Paralympic Movement to classrooms across Canada. The Vancouver 2010 Education Program aims to unite all 365 school districts across the country in this unique opportunity for K-12 students to learn about the Paralympic Movement which explores the significance of human interdependence, equity and fairness. The week also provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate wide-ranging examples of the achievements and successes of people with disabilities engaged in sport, culture or sustainability.
Read the entire press release here.
Monday, October 27, 2008
News Stories & New Listings
There's a lot of 2010 news hitting the wires right now and it's hard to keep track of it all. The Winter2010Rentals is able to put a little more time into finding all of the relevant news stories that you could read and we post them all in our forum.
We also want to let you know that we've had several new listings over the last couple of weeks and more are being added each week. To post your FREE listing or wanted ad visit here.
We also want to let you know that we've had several new listings over the last couple of weeks and more are being added each week. To post your FREE listing or wanted ad visit here.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
VANOC Creates Long-Term Affordable Housing
The Province of British Columbia and the Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympics are partnering together to create 156 long-term affordable housing units.
The plan will see 320 temporary housing units that will be used during the Winter Olympics transformed into 156 permanent affordable housing units in 6 communities across the province: Chetwynd, Chilliwack, Enderby, Saanich, Sechelt and Surrey.
Read more here.
The plan will see 320 temporary housing units that will be used during the Winter Olympics transformed into 156 permanent affordable housing units in 6 communities across the province: Chetwynd, Chilliwack, Enderby, Saanich, Sechelt and Surrey.
Read more here.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Olympic Security Costs will be More Than Double
Estimates for the costs of security for the 2010 Olympic games were originally pegged at a mere $186M. A large sum by any means, but the Public Safety Minister is now claiming that estimate is extremely low and that the real costs will range somewhere North of $400M but less than $1B.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Financial Crisis Continues to Dog Athletes Village
The Global Financial Crisis is still causing a lot of headaches for the developer of the Vancouver Athletes Village and articles continue to pour out about their potential trouble.
At this point most of what we're seeing is largely speculative, but makes sense in the current climate.
We'll continue to follow this and try to post relevant articles here.
At this point most of what we're seeing is largely speculative, but makes sense in the current climate.
We'll continue to follow this and try to post relevant articles here.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Vancouver's Olympic Village in Trouble?
Amid the current global financial credit crisis rumours are starting to swirl that the Vancouver Athletes Village being constructed by Millennium Development Corp. on the shores of South East False Creek could be in serious financial trouble.
Fortress Investment Group, a large private-equity establishment out of New York who provided much of the funds has apparently been monitoring the project and their reported cost overruns very closely.
The City of Vancouver also recently held an emergency review of the project since they are apparently on the hook to completely the $1B project should the current financing methods be recalled.
Read more on these major rumours here.
Fortress Investment Group, a large private-equity establishment out of New York who provided much of the funds has apparently been monitoring the project and their reported cost overruns very closely.
The City of Vancouver also recently held an emergency review of the project since they are apparently on the hook to completely the $1B project should the current financing methods be recalled.
Read more on these major rumours here.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Spirit Train Encounters Protests
If there's one thing we learned from the Beijing 2008 Olympics its that the Olympic Movement can attract protests. Canada will be no exception to this rule, although should see less emotional fervor than China did.
The Countdown Clock outside the Vancouver Art Gallery has seen at least 3 unscheduled 'paintings' and of course there have been other signs of protest as well.
On Sunday, the inaugural day for the CP Spirit Train protesters were out from the First Nations. Apparently members of the FN plan to protest at each stop of the train across the country.
Read more about the first Maple Ridge protests here.
The Countdown Clock outside the Vancouver Art Gallery has seen at least 3 unscheduled 'paintings' and of course there have been other signs of protest as well.
On Sunday, the inaugural day for the CP Spirit Train protesters were out from the First Nations. Apparently members of the FN plan to protest at each stop of the train across the country.
Read more about the first Maple Ridge protests here.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Look of the City Going Before Council
Vancouver city councilors had the opportunity last night to review and vote on an initial $650,000 plan that would see the purchase and installation of thousands of Olympic banners around the city.
Locations would include all three False Creek bridges, 12th Avenue, Cambie, Robson Street, Georgia, and more.
A further increase in this budget to $1.25M is expected to be voted on in the spring of 2009.
Read more here.
Locations would include all three False Creek bridges, 12th Avenue, Cambie, Robson Street, Georgia, and more.
A further increase in this budget to $1.25M is expected to be voted on in the spring of 2009.
Read more here.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
British Olympic Official Visits
The British minister responsible for the 2012 Summer Olympic games in London, Tess Jowell, will be visiting Vancouver next week to get a first-hand look.
She will have meetings with several officials including those from local and provincial government and VANOC.
She will also participate in a round table discussion on opportunities for Canadian businesses for the London 2012 games.
She will have meetings with several officials including those from local and provincial government and VANOC.
She will also participate in a round table discussion on opportunities for Canadian businesses for the London 2012 games.
News : Female Ski Jumpers vs. VANOC
Last fall, female ski jumpers launched a campaign to get their sport into the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver & Whistler.
VANOCs response was quite simple at that time. Its not our decision, it's the IOCs, and their decision is based on the fact that Women's Ski Jumping does not have a) a sufficient number of world-class competitors nor b) a sanctioned World Championships.
Since then the female ski jumpers filed a Statement of Claim on May 21, 2008 in the British Columbia court system.
On May 30, 2008, VANOC responded to that Statement of Claim with a Statement of Defence with the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Their response is available from the Court Registry.
The primary point in their response is that they are simply not the correct defendant as their role in the 2010 Olympic Games is simply to Organize and Stage them. They simply do not determine which sports may or may not be a part of the games. Period.
VANOCs response was quite simple at that time. Its not our decision, it's the IOCs, and their decision is based on the fact that Women's Ski Jumping does not have a) a sufficient number of world-class competitors nor b) a sanctioned World Championships.
Since then the female ski jumpers filed a Statement of Claim on May 21, 2008 in the British Columbia court system.
On May 30, 2008, VANOC responded to that Statement of Claim with a Statement of Defence with the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Their response is available from the Court Registry.
The primary point in their response is that they are simply not the correct defendant as their role in the 2010 Olympic Games is simply to Organize and Stage them. They simply do not determine which sports may or may not be a part of the games. Period.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Beijing : Attending the Games
If your summer plans this year include attending the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games than you should make sure you read the rules before setting off. There's only one problem, they're only in Mandarin.
But be advised they include items such as these:
But be advised they include items such as these:
- No prohibited drugs
- No pornography
- No persons suffering from a mental disorder or insanity
- No protesting
- No sleeping in public places such as airports, train stations, sidewalks, etc.
- No removal of state secrets... this one, the way its worded, is the scary one... be VERY careful
- One dog or cat per person is allowed into China
- Food for your consumption for the duration of your stay
Thursday, May 29, 2008
First Nations Build Business-Cultural Bridges
The four host nations of the 2010 Winter Olympics are determined to take full advantage of the economic and cultural opportunities the games present.
The nations of the Lil'wat, Musquem, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people make up the Four Host First Nations Secretariat organization tasked with building cultural and business relationships in China.
"If we can help people understand we are diverse, in that we are modern as well as we know where we come from, I think that would be an incredible opportunity," said Tewanee Joseph, the secretartiat's CEO.
The group travelled to Beijing this week to open an exhibit of first nations art at Beijing's Central University of Nationalities and held a symposium for Chinese students.
The secretariat's number one priority for the games is to build a brand.
"We're trying to identify opportunities for aboriginal people in the Games and not miss an opportunity of a lifetime," said Joseph.
More from the Vancouver Sun.
The nations of the Lil'wat, Musquem, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people make up the Four Host First Nations Secretariat organization tasked with building cultural and business relationships in China.
"If we can help people understand we are diverse, in that we are modern as well as we know where we come from, I think that would be an incredible opportunity," said Tewanee Joseph, the secretartiat's CEO.
The group travelled to Beijing this week to open an exhibit of first nations art at Beijing's Central University of Nationalities and held a symposium for Chinese students.
The secretariat's number one priority for the games is to build a brand.
"We're trying to identify opportunities for aboriginal people in the Games and not miss an opportunity of a lifetime," said Joseph.
More from the Vancouver Sun.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tourism Vancouver Opens First Satellite Centre
On Friday, Tourism Vancouver opened the first of their new satellite visitor centers. The 2.4 by 3.7m structure has been set up at Robson Square, near the Vancouver Art Gallery and will be open 7 days per week.
Tourism BC is funding the capital expense of this and 11 other mini-centres that will be set up near games venues and in other high-traffic areas that would warrant them. The up-front costs of the units is approx. $40,000 each.
Tourism Vancouver will operate the centres through volunteers and about 50 employees, 30 of which will be co-op students from Capilano College's tourism management program.
After the games the satellite centres will be deployed throughout the province for special events and seasonal use.
News Release.
Photo by Ian Lindsay, Vancouver Sun.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
CTV-Rogers to Change Olympic Broadcasting
CTVglobemedia-Rogers Media consortium's head Keith Pelley was interviewed by the Financial Post and they have a great article on their Olympic Plans.
Pelley is planning to change the face of Olympic broadcasting and that of sports broadcasting in general. The Olympic motto of Citius, Altius, Fortius will guide their efforts. Faster, higher, stronger.
The CTV-Rogers joint venture includes a vast number of media channels including CTV, TSN, OLN, RDS, CTV NEWSnet, APTN, various websites, and of course the Rogers & Fido mobile phone networks.
The JV plans to hit all of these media drawing the viewer from the 42" Plasma to the 19" Widescreen LCD monitor to the 2.5" mobile phone and back again. And High Definition is promised for what could be the winningest winter olympics for Canadian athletes in history!
Read the entire article here.
Pelley is planning to change the face of Olympic broadcasting and that of sports broadcasting in general. The Olympic motto of Citius, Altius, Fortius will guide their efforts. Faster, higher, stronger.
The CTV-Rogers joint venture includes a vast number of media channels including CTV, TSN, OLN, RDS, CTV NEWSnet, APTN, various websites, and of course the Rogers & Fido mobile phone networks.
The JV plans to hit all of these media drawing the viewer from the 42" Plasma to the 19" Widescreen LCD monitor to the 2.5" mobile phone and back again. And High Definition is promised for what could be the winningest winter olympics for Canadian athletes in history!
Read the entire article here.
News : CSIS Watching Anti-Olympic Protest Groups
Canwest News Service has obtained a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report to the Department of Public Safety. In the report it is noted that CSIS has been monitoring anti-Olympic protesters for more than a year.
Specific groups are highlighted, described, and their previous protest actions noted.
The CSIS reports warns that VANOC may not be doing enough to quell fears of significant 2010 protests as multiple groups, many focused on Aboriginal rights, may likely converge and band together for protests leading up to and during the Olympic events.
This report was obtained just days after another security expert raised fears of potential protest issues.
More from Canwest.
Specific groups are highlighted, described, and their previous protest actions noted.
The CSIS reports warns that VANOC may not be doing enough to quell fears of significant 2010 protests as multiple groups, many focused on Aboriginal rights, may likely converge and band together for protests leading up to and during the Olympic events.
This report was obtained just days after another security expert raised fears of potential protest issues.
More from Canwest.
Monday, May 5, 2008
News : Protests & Violence Could Increase for 2010
A Canadian counter terrorism expert is predicting that violence will increase and will culminate at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
In unprecedented fashion various protest groups are starting to plan further in advance and take bolder actions in their efforts to protest.
More and more groups are also taking bolder actions by calling out individuals online and sometimes inciting violence against those persons.
More from The Province.
In unprecedented fashion various protest groups are starting to plan further in advance and take bolder actions in their efforts to protest.
More and more groups are also taking bolder actions by calling out individuals online and sometimes inciting violence against those persons.
More from The Province.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Print Media Supplier : The Globe & Mail
In another sponsorship deal worth between $3 & $15M VANOC has inked another media sponsorship deal, this time with The Globe & Mail.
Originally VANOC had planned to have one print media sponsor, but when negotiations with Canwest to include the National Post failed to materialize the organizing committee separated the media sponsorship to be able to have both regional and national sponsors.
The Globe & Mail's parent company also owns CTV the network television station that has the broadcasting rights to both Vancouver 2010 and London 2012.
More from Canada.com.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Beijing : Keep the Promise
With just under 100 days until the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games begin Amnesty International is calling for China to "Keep the Promise".
The Olympic Torch Relay will travel through Hong Kong tomorrow, May 2, and groups like Amnesty are urging the authorities there to allow peaceful protests to occur without incident. Several foreign persons have been denied access to the region without specific reason provided leading to speculation that these decisions are being made arbitrarily.
It will be very interesting to continue to monitor the human rights side of the Beijing 2008 games and also what will happen in Vancouver 2010 and the possible First Nations protests that they may see.
When Chinese officials lobbied for the Games, they promised the world that the Beijing Olympics would be an opportunity to improve human rights in China. The International Olympic Committee awarded China the games in light of this promise. Now it's time for China to keep its promise to the world. Human Rights belong to all people, everywhere – including China. On this page you will find information on human rights concerns in China, opportunities for writing letters, conducting public protests, and learning about what others are doing to demand that China keep their promise to the world. -- Amnesty Blog
The Olympic Torch Relay will travel through Hong Kong tomorrow, May 2, and groups like Amnesty are urging the authorities there to allow peaceful protests to occur without incident. Several foreign persons have been denied access to the region without specific reason provided leading to speculation that these decisions are being made arbitrarily.
It will be very interesting to continue to monitor the human rights side of the Beijing 2008 games and also what will happen in Vancouver 2010 and the possible First Nations protests that they may see.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
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.
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.
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