$1.7 million investment for playing fields at Andy Livingstone Park will help promote healthy living & fitness legacy of Games: Sullivan
Mayor Sam Sullivan and Park Board Chair Korina Houghton today welcomed the two-year countdown to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games beginning this week in Vancouver and Whistler. The Olympic Winter Games will take place February 12-28, 2010.
The Paralympic Winter Games are scheduled for March 12-21, 2010.To mark the countdown, Mayor Sullivan and Park Board Chair Houghton provided an update on local venue construction and confirmed their plans to support a $1.7 million investment for playing fields at Andy Livingstone Park to help promote a healthy living and fitness legacy for 2010.
“There is a growing awareness around the world that no city has been as prepared as Vancouver to host a Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Mayor Sullivan. “And as good as the Winter Olympics and Paralympics will be for Vancouver – we will be good for Games. Our city is uniting for that common cause.”
The City of Vancouver is participating in the construction and development of the following venues in association with the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games:
- Hillcrest Curling Venue
- Southeast False Creek – Olympic Village
- Downtown Vancouver Live Sites
- Pacific Coliseum
- Killarney & Trout Lake Community Ice Rinks
- BC Place Stadium
The 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games will also deliver significant social and economic legacies for the City of Vancouver. In addition to the Canada Rapid Transit Line, new Downtown Convention Centre and historic investments in social housing, 2010 will promote fitness and active living – particularly among youth.
This week, the Vancouver Park Board and City Council will review a recommendation to invest more than $1.75 million to restore and improve the two artificial playing fields at Andy Livingstone Park. Today, due to poor soil conditions on the site, one field is not playable and the other has significant limitations.
“I want to recognize the hard work of Vancouver Councillor Suzanne Anton, Park Board Commissioner Ian Robertson, the Vancouver Field Sport Federation and local community organizations for their dedication to this important project,” said Park Board Chair Houghton. “Their hard work will help ensure the fitness and active living goals we have established for 2010 are achieved in every neighbourhood of the city.”
Full information about tickets, volunteering and the Winter Games can be found on the VANOC website at vancouver2010.com.
– 30 –
Backgrounder: City of Vancouver – Venue Construction Summary
The City of Vancouver is participating in the construction and development of the following venues in association with the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games:
- Hillcrest Curling Venue
- Southeast False Creek – Olympic Village
- Downtown Vancouver Live Sites
- Pacific Coliseum
- Killarney & Trout Lake Community Ice Rinks
- BC Place Stadium
Visit vancouver.ca/olympics for venue construction photos and further information.
Hillcrest Curling Venue
At Ontario and 30th the roofline and walls are taking shape. Built to LEED Gold Standards it will seat 6,000 people when completed. Post Olympic Games, the venue will house the new Riley Park Community Centre, a branch library, the Vancouver Curling Club and a public ice rink. On an adjacent site, the new Percy Norman Pool Aquatic Centre is being built simultaneously and an indoor concourse will eventually connect the facilities.
Southeast False Creek – Olympic Village
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 and middle income rental housing is being developed along with market housing.
The central part of the Southeast False Creek neighbourhood will be the Athlete’s Village for 2010. Construction will be complete in November 2009. After 2010, part of the Village will be converted to a new state-of-the-art community centre. The 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 km. The new habitat island is finished and a 40 metre steel truss foot bridge will open across a new inlet on the foreshore by the end of March.
Downtown Vancouver Live Sites
Planning continues on the two Downtown Vancouver Live Sites – one at David Lam Park and other on Georgia Street. When completed, these alcohol-free sites will feature free main stage entertainment, giant broadcast screens, local artists, sponsor activities and the opportunity to mingle with guests and athletes from around the world.
Pacific Coliseum
The Pacific Coliseum will house the Figure Skating and Short Track Speed Skating competitions during 2010. 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.
Killarney and Trout Lake Ice Rinks
The aging Killarney and Trout Lake community ice rinks are in the process of being replaced. The new facilities will be used as practice venues for figure skating and short track speed skating during 2010. After the Games these brand new rinks will be enjoyed by a wide range of community skaters.
BC Place Stadium
Last month, Vancouver City Council took a major step to secure the future of BC Place Stadium with a plan to more fully develop the potential of its current site. BC Place is a critical part of Vancouver’s tourism and event infrastructure – generating more than $58 million in economic activity last year.
