Opening of the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre
Community Celebration February 19

January 28, 2009 (No. 4) - The Vancouver Park Board, City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games announced plans today for the opening of the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre. A fun-filled community celebration will be held on Thursday, February 19 from 5 to 8 pm at the spectacular 2010 Winter Games venue in Hillcrest Park, home to competition curling and wheelchair curling events. The opening will cap off one-year countdown festivities around the City.

The celebration, presented by RONA, will feature lively dance, music and drumming performances, special entertainment, a chance to meet Olympic and Paralympic athletes and build your own Inukshuk, curling demos, interactive sports exhibits and more. The Vancouver 2010 mascots will be there! Great giveaways and prizes throughout the evening. Admission is free.

The 10,000 square metre Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre is located in the geographic centre of the city at 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, just off Midlothian Avenue in Hillcrest Park. This accessible, green "venue of tomorrow" is the first phase of what will become a significant recreation legacy for the residents of Vancouver. Post Games, the centre will be converted to a new destination aquatic centre, community centre, rink, curling club and library.

The Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre will be hosting its first Sport Events immediately after the opening with the World Wheelchair Curling Championships February 21 to 28, followed by the World Junior Curling Championships March 5 to 15.

The Park Board and the City of Vancouver are also hosting free public skates in all six community rinks February 14 to 21 at selected times, and an Active Communities Step Out Walk around Southeast False Creek and the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver on February 15 as part of the one-year countdown festivities.

Watch the Park Board (vancouverparks.ca) and City (vancouver.ca) websites for more details and updates on programs and schedules.

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Park Board contact: Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, 604-257-8699
Media contact: Marnie Wilson, 604-685-5575

 

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.