Community invited to the Inukshuk to welcome the torch relay February 12

February 10, 2010 (No. 7) - The Vancouver Park Board is inviting the community to the Inukshuk at English Bay for the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay early on Friday, February 12.

The relay is expected to arrive at 7:55am at which time the torch will pause briefly before being handed off to the next runner. The torch will make its way to the iconic stone sculpture from Stanley Park via Denman Street to English Bay Beach and along the seawall.

The torch will be carried to the Inukshuk by Judy Caldwell, a librarian at the Joe Fortes branch and a member of the City of Vancouver torch relay team. Rolly Fox, father of Canadian cancer hero Terry Fox, will receive the flame.

The event will include entertainment beginning at 7am. A blessing by members of the Squamish First Nation followed by welcome remarks by Mayor Gregor Robertson and Park Board Chair Aaron Jasper are at 7:30am.

The public is encouraged to wear red and be prepared to make some noise as the torch makes it way to the Inukshuk on the last day of its 45,000 km journey.

Parking will be extremely limited: spectators are strongly advised to walk, cycle or take transit to the site.

Background on the Inukshuk:

• The English Bay Inukshuk was the inspiration for the official mark of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
• The Inukshuk is a larger version of an ancient symbol of Inuit culture traditionally used as a landmark and for navigational purposes
• This grey granite sculpture was constructed by Alvin Kanak of Rankin Inlet, measures 6 metres high (20 feet) and weighs 32 tonnes (70,000 lbs.)
• It was gifted to the City of Vancouver by the Northwest Territories' delegation following EXPO 86

The torch relay route through Vancouver on February 12 travels through several noteable locations including Stanley Park.

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For more information contact Barb Floden, Communications Coordinator,
at 604-257-8438 or (cell) 604-992-5646.

Media with enquiries specific to the route and/or torch bearers are asked to contact the Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay media team at media@torchrelay.vancouver2010.com

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.