2008 News and Information
Skaters Begin Testing Ice at Richmond Oval
16 September 2008Members of Canada’s national speed skating team began testing the ice September 15, 2008 at the Richmond Oval, home of the speed skating competition for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
The skaters are providing assistance and feedback to the Oval’s project team on ice conditions and related issues. The first full installation of the Oval’s 400-metre speed skating ice surface was completed on September 12. The Richmond Oval will officially open to the public in December of this year.
The skaters were enthusiastic in their comments about the Oval after their first testing.
“To be here and step into the rink and know that the Olympics are going to be held here in 16 months and I have a chance to compete in front of the Canadian crowd was a really, really beautiful feeling inside.'' Olympic Gold Medallist Clara Hughes told the Canadian Press. “The facility is incredible, esthetically it is beautiful, and the views . . . it’s been made with a lot of care and thought and you can really see that already.”
“I think Canadians are going to be very proud of this rink.”
Veteran national team member Kristina Groves also had lots of praise for the building.
“Structurally the building is spectacular, I don’t know if there is any other place in the world that has such a beautiful view, to have windows on eye level,” said Groves. “The roof is amazing, I kept telling everyone that it looked like stars in the sky, the lights just kind of glowed.”
“It was an exciting opportunity to get out here yesterday and be part of the first group of people ever to train on the ice,'' said Jeremy Wotherspoon, who holds the all-time record for World Cup speed skating victories. “The design is really nice. It's a warm-feeling building and there's so much natural light coming in the windows.”
The Richmond Oval will open in December. Details on opening festivities will be announced soon. The first major competition in the Oval, the Canadian national speed skating championships, will be held in late December. The world speed skating championships will be held in march, 2009 in Richmond. In its pre-Games period the Oval will offer a variety of recreation, fitness and other programming including skating programs on the 400-metre Olympic speed skating track.
During the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, 12 medal events will be held at the Oval over 14 days of competitions. Tickets for Olympic speed skating go on sale on October 3, visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.
Post-Games, the Oval will become and international centre of excellence for sport, recreation health and wellness, fitness and special events.
