Vancouver 2010 legacy plans outlined

The Olympics have a way of leaving a lasting mark where they are hosted, and the organizers of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics have every intention of that ringing true for British Columbia. Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) CEO John Furlong had the following comments in a press release by the committee today:

"Since the idea of hosting the 2010 Winter Games surfaced in Vancouver back in 1996, the vision has been consistently clear - in addition to hosting outstanding Games, they must create benefits and legacies for sport and communities."

Among the legacy goals outlined in the press release:

• $110M will be invested by the federal and provincial governments to create the 2010 Winter Games Operating Trust to maintain and keep viable sports facilities like the Whistler Nordic Venue, Whistler Sliding Centre, and Richmond Oval.
• After the games, the Vancouver Olympic village will become a mixed-use community with 1,100 residential units, including 250 non-market, supportive housing units.
• Likewise, the Whistler Olympic village will become a permanent mixed-use community.
• Whistler will see the construction of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre.
• Medical and sports equipment used during the games will be donated to community organizations.

Source: VANOC press release

VANOC presents progress update to IOC

The Vancouver Organizing Committee's CEO John Furlong has presented an interim progress report to the International Olympic Committee detailing progress made in the planning of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Included in the report:

• venue construction program progress
• the release of the VANOC Business Plan and Games operating budget, which has been approved by the VANOC Board of Directors, with a public release date scheduled for May 8
• a sponsorship and licensing update confirming that 80 per cent of the overall 2007 domestic sponsorship revenue target has been met
• accommodation targets and the media accommodation program
• development of the 2010 Winter Games ticketing program
• modifications to the 2010 sport program, including the addition of ski cross and format changes for speed skating team pursuit and skeleton
• finalization of the test event program

Source: Journal of Commerce