Celebrating ability!
As we prepare to welcome the world to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, the Vancouver Park Board extends greetings from Canada's west coast to all of our visitors! With the City, we are very proud to be an active partner in bringing these Games to life. We have built venues for both training and competition, all of which will be barrier-free for spectators and athletes then fully accessible as legacies for residents after the Games. The spectacular Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre in Hillcrest Park will be the home of wheelchair curling events, and if the just-finished Olympic Winter Games are any indication we cannot wait to (loudly) cheer on the exciting matches ahead.
Our organization is committed to making parks and recreation universally accessible and developing ways for broader participation by people of all abilities. Our goal is to provide opportunities for everyone to access our services allowing for meaningful integration, inclusion and equality. Like the Paralympic principles, we support active living, celebrate excellence and promote the wellness of body, mind and spirit. We expect to be inspired and thrilled by the skill, determination and courage of the athletes. As part of the Host City team, our staff are committed to helping make your stay in our beautiful City a memorable one. Welcome! Bienvenue!
Peter Kuran
General Manager (acting)
Vancouver Park Board
Community events and activities
We're not done yet! Just as there was during the Olympics, there are plenty of special events and activities going on during the Paralympic Games. LiveCity Downtown 
(March 9 news release) celebration site at Georgia & Beatty is hosting free entertainment and excitement March 12-14 and March 18-21, 1pm-9pm.
Community living rooms at our community centres and neighbourhood houses will have events planned during the Paralympic Games. Watch the action on large screen TVs along with other events and activities. Check with your local community centre for details.
Host a City Happenings are events funded through the Olympic Legacy Reserve Fund. Six events and performances take place during the Paralympics: HIVE3; Keeping it Reel; vancouver Pride House; containR; art=empowerment: The Spirit of 2010 on the Drive; and Nighthawk Aboriginal Arts and Music Festival. Visit the Host City events calendar for details.
Community Happenings Festivals are a series of three festivals that highlight Vancouver's commitment to sport, culture and sustainability and celebrate Vancouver as Host City to the 2010 Winter Games. One takes place before the Paralympics on Saturday March 6, 2-6pm at Kitsilano Community Centre. The final festival takes place at the end of the Paralympics on Saturday, March 21, 2-6pm, at Killarney Community Centre.
A spark becomes flame
The Paralympic Torch Relay will be in Vancouver March 10, 11 and 12. The torch relay began in Ottawa on March 3 and will visit 10 communities across Canada.
Riley Park, Wednesday, March 10, 11am-1pm: The torch will be the guest of honour at a block party. The event includes a relay around the park and entertainment.
Robson Square, 24-hour relay, Thursday, March 11, 2pm to Friday, March 12, 2pm: The torch will be carried around a circuit over a 24-hour period. Stage celebrations will take place throughout the event.
Most parks and recreation facilities will have returned to normal operation after the Olympic Games. During the Paralympic Games some facilities will have reduced access or hours, or will remain closed for competitions or for retrofitting after Games use. A complete list of impacts can be found here.
Building venues, creating legacies
The 2010 Winter Games has resulted in four new legacy recreation facilities for Vancouver. Of the four, two will continue to be used during the Paralympic Games. All facilities have been built to high sustainability standards and are barrier-free.
Vancouver Olympic Centre/Vancouver Paralympic Centre
During the Paralympic Games this venue is host to wheelchair curling competition events. After the Games, the venue will be converted to a legacy community facility which will boast a community centre, ice rink, curling club, library, preschool, field house and offices (opening summer 2011). Being built at the same time and attached to the curling venue is a new destination aquatic centre with indoor and outdoor pools (opening summer 2010).
Southeast False Creek Community Centre and Parks
One of the most sustainable recreation facilities in Canada, this building will house administrative and commercial activity for the Paralympic Athlete's Village. After the Games, the building will be converted to a new community centre which is scheduled to open in late summer 2010.
Killarney Ice Rink
Short-track speed skating training venue during the Olympic Games. The rink is now being retrofitted for community use and will open by early summer 2010.
Trout Lake Ice Rink
Official training venue for figure skating during the Olympic Games. The rink is now being retrofitted for community use and will open by early summer 2010.
The City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games have both initiated public art programs to coincide with the Winter Games. The Park Board is the fortunate recipient of many of these works including temporary and permanent sculptures in parks and aboriginal pieces at official venues. more»
Additional information
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