Community Celebration to mark opening of Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre February 19, 5 to 8 pm in Hillcrest Park

February 18, 2009 (No. 8) - The spectacular Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre, 4575 Clancy Loranger Way at Midlothian Avenue in Hillcrest Park, will open its doors to the public at 5 pm on Thursday, February 19 with a fun-filled community celebration. The three hour drop-in event, hosted by the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Park Board and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC), will feature lively and diverse musical and dance performances, Olympians and Paralympians representing five sports, and top-ranked curling exhibition matches. Displays, prizes, giveaways and activities for the entire family along with ice carving and a special appearance by the Vancouver 2010 mascots will round out the line-up. Admission is free and tickets are not required.

The Centre will host competition curling and wheelchair curling during the 2010 Winter Games. The impressive venue of tomorrow is the first phase of the 10,000 square metre legacy facility taking shape in Hillcrest Park.

CTV personality and weathercaster Tamara Taggart will emcee the event along with guest commentator and interdisciplinary artist Vanessa Richards. CTV will broadcast live from the venue. Ray Turnbull, a long-time member of the TSN curling coverage team, will be calling the curling demonstrations.

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

The public is encouraged to bike, walk or take transit (#33 Bus - 29th Avenue Station/UBC). Very limited event parking is available next to the venue. Additional parking is available atop Queen Elizabeth Park on the plaza with free shuttle service to the centre. Parking restrictions on Midlothian Avenue west of Clancy Loranger will be temporarily removed during the event to allow for additional parking. Watch for signs. The VPD traffic authority, Park Rangers and Host City Team will provide assistance and directions on site.

For a full schedule of entertainment at the opening celebration, visit vancouverparks.ca

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Downloadable high resolution images. Credit Vancouver Park Board where applicable:
Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre venue: vanocmedia.zip (20.3MB)
Official opening, February 19, 2009: vocvpc_opening.zip (29.2MB)

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.