Sam’s Blog

Mayor Sullivan Unveils Plan for Olympic Line Modern Streetcar Service in 2010

On Tuesday I announced that the City of Vancouver and Bombardier Transportation will provide a modern streetcar demonstration service to Vancouver residents and visitors during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Downtown Streetcar 2010 Demonstration Project is a state-of-the-art, accessible and sustainable transportation project that will connect Granville Island to the Canada Line Olympic Village Station during 60 days of celebration between January 21 and March 21, 2010.

The City of Vancouver has also received permission from the International Olympic Committee and VANOC to name the streetcar service The Olympic Line – Vancouver’s 2010 Streetcar for the duration of the 2010 demonstration project.

Report from Beijing

Lynn and I returned to Vancouver this week from the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Beijing.

Mayor Sullivan meeting with Mayor of Beijing on recent visit to China

In addition to attending the Games, I had the opportunity to meet with:

• the Mayor of Beijing & other government officials
• Canada’s Ambassador to China
• business leaders, artists & university professors
• students at Peking University & the Western Academy of Beijing
• local disability organizations

Mayor Sullivan visits the Great Wall of China on his Trail Rider

Well what a show! Last week, the 2008 Summer Olympics came to a close with a spectacular closing ceremony. I’ve been fortunate to be here in Beijing, joined last week by Clr. Suzanne Anton and soon to be joined by Clr. B.C. Lee. Next week, the Paralympic Games will begin and I will be honoured to join nine other Canadians that have been selected to carry the torch through Beijing.

As the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games wind down, the eyes of the world are turning to Vancouver in the lead up to 2010.

While China has set the bar high, I know that Vancouver and our athletes will make Canadians proud during our finest hour. City Council is working hard to make sure everything is being done to make sure our city is prepared.

When the world arrives in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the first thing they will discover is the world is already here. Athletes, visitors and the global media will find an inclusive city that celebrates diversity as a strength.

I hope you have been enjoying a safe and relaxing summer with friends and family. As usual, our city has been non-stop this year with a record number of special events in neighbourhoods across Vancouver. And while we are proud of our parties and celebrations, we have been getting lots of work done too.

We are in the midst of one of the largest building booms in our city’s history. There are more than 1000 people working all out to complete the Athletes Village in Southeast False creek – and many more working to complete the Canada Line and new Convention Centre.

Premier Gordon Campbell and Mayor Sullivan at the annual
Walk with the Dragon Festival in Stanley Park