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2008 News and Information

Transit Best Way to Get to Richmond Olympic Oval Opening

09 December 2008 

If you’re planning to attend the official opening of the Richmond Olympic Oval on December 12 and 13, plan to avoid traffic and parking line-ups by taking transit, cycling or walking to the Oval site located at 6111 River Road in Richmond.

The Richmond Olympic Oval’s Official Opening celebration is presented by The Bay and runs from 4:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, December 12 and noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 13. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

Increased bus service will be provided on the 401 and 407 routes, which stop at Gilbert and Westminster, a few minutes walk from the Oval.

If you drive, parking is limited and you may have to park a few minutes walk away from the Oval site. Public parking for the event will be in designated offsite parking lots and on neighbourhood streets. Look for signage to direct you to event parking lots. Parking permit restrictions on River Road and Elmbridge Way will be temporarily removed during the event to allow for additional parking.

Available seating is expected to be in high demand for the official opening ceremonies from 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday, December 12. However, over the two day celebration, there will be more than 12 hours of opening activities and live entertainment, public skating and building tours.

The opening night festival on Friday will feature official opening ceremonies, special entertainment, building tours and the first public skate on the 400-metre Oval track. The festivities will continue from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday with a community open house featuring public skating, entertainment, building tours and more.

A number of 45-minute public skating sessions will be held on both Friday and Saturday. Some skates will be available for rent, but the public is encouraged to bring their own. Skate rental is free, however participants are encouraged to bring a cash or non-perishable food donation for the Richmond Food Bank.

A full schedule of events and more details on the opening are available at www.richmond.ca or www.richmondoval.ca.