Richmond, Let the Games Begin Here!
13 July 2004
Richmond City Council has announced that the City will submit a formal proposal to host the Speed Skating Oval for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The rare privilege of becoming part of the Olympic movement and history offers many exciting opportunities for Richmond. Richmond's proposal is to develop a showcase multi-purpose facility on a prestigious site that will include an Olympic speed skating oval and international short-track rink. Post Games, the multi-use facility will provide an active venue that brings together a wide variety of summer and winter sports, recreation, culture and business, harmoniously in one pristine location. The Oval will be the premier competition venue of the Games and provide a significant legacy.
A proposal will be submitted to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC) later this month.
If the proposal is approved, Council will commence a public consultation process, which will provide the opportunity for the community and Richmond stakeholder groups to provide input on and participate in developing uses and programming of the venue. In addition, a building committee comprised of community representatives will be established to guide the design and construction of this community venue.
Locating an Olympic venue in Richmond provides a unique opportunity to showcase the three pillars of the Olympic movement in a community that embodies the Olympic spirit. Sports, culture and environment are essential to the fabric of life in Richmond, which is a national leader in physical health and well-being, a model for multicultural diversity and harmony, and is a proud steward of the critically-important river estuary that surrounds the community.
The Richmond Olympic Venue will be a significant and lasting sports legacy of the Vancouver 2010 Games. The venue will embrace all levels of sports and recreation from playground to podium, and will enhance sports development from grassroots to high performance, while fostering increased athletic participation and community wellness.
For more details on the City's proposal, read the Report to Council
