Media Invited to Opening Ceremony Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre

February 17, 2009 (No. 5) - The Vancouver Park Board, the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) invite members of the media to the opening ceremony for the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre, the competition-ready venue that will host curling and wheelchair curling during the 2010 Winter Games.

Park Board Chair Raj Hundal, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and VANOC CEO John Furlong will be joined by The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), BC Premier Gordon Campbell, and Musqueam Chief Ernest Campbell, representing the Four Host First Nations. Capping off the ceremony, Olympian Georgina Wheatcroft (Curling) and Paralympian Gary Cormack (Wheelchair Curling) will participate in the inaugural rock throws on the new ice.

Thursday, February 19th, 2009 
Ceremony: 11 am – Noon
Media Arrival:  10:30 am
Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre
4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Hillcrest Park (off Midlothian)

Media Parking: Travelling westbound on Midlothian, turn right into the first parking lot after Ontario, just before Clancy Loranger Way.

A question and answer session for media will be held immediately after the ceremony, followed by a tour of the facility.

The opening ceremony for the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre is presented by Rona and sponsored by Hain Celestial Canada. CTV is the media partner.

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For more information contact Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, at 604-257-8699.

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.