Hastings Racetrack closing for month due to Olympics

[SpongeG]

there were getting more in depth into this today in the local news - seems like the public ie us will be faced with a lot of closures and inconveniences during the games

they sais some airlines are stopping flights during the games due to the security issues and such during the games - they mention one name it didn't seem like a big one but they said don't expect it will be easy to get in and out of the airport come feb 2010 - some charters might avoid the airport all together

anyway the story...

Hastings Racetrack closing for month due to Olympics

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Nearly 200 people working at Hastings Racecourse will be out of a job for the month of February due to the 2010 Olympic Games. VANOC is forcing the closure as a security measure, as the race track falls within a security area at the Pacific National Exhibition.

The Pacific Coliseum will host speed skating events during the Games. The layoffs will affect workers from February 1 to March 2, 2010. Howard Blank, Vice-President of Great Canadian Gaming (owners of the track) says it's disappointing they have to close during the Games, and staff are now being informed of the layoffs.

Hastings says they're looking into opportunities for employees to get involved in other Olympic-related jobs. NDP leader Carole James told the Legislature that Hastings Park management wanted to remain open during the Games and tried to accommodate Olympic organizers. Finance Minister Colin Hansen responded by saying the Olympics are a huge economic opportunity for B.C., but he offered no specific help to the workers. Hansen also would not say if other workers will lose their jobs because of the Games.


http://www.news1130.com/more.jsp?content=20090309_183842_6652

[jlousa]

The only planes being restricted are small planes from airports where they are not prescreened. What is happening is if you fly out of a small airport like that you will need to first land at another airport to be screened before you can land at YVR. Most likely they will choose to land at either Boundary Bay or one of the other small local airports to avoid that. Not a big issue.

As far as the Racetrack, I believe there are rumours that the track will be rented out to a corporate sponsor, so not all those people will be laid off.

[Distill3d]

can someone please explain to me how Hastings Race Course is a security threat to the Olympics?

[punkster1982]

I read part of the condition of the business license was that they would be closed during the Olympics. Anyone know anything more about this?

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Distill3d

can someone please explain to me how Hastings Race Course is a security threat to the Olympics?

The racecourse is within the security perimeter of the Pacific Coliseum.

[Stingray2004]

As far as news reports go, it only appears to be the Hastings Park Casino and not the racetrack.

Olympic security is a federal matter and RCMP organized in any event.

And there was Carole James, on the television news tonight, appearing at the casino complaining about the two-week loss of employment.

BTW, aren't the NDP now against casinos???

Hansen demands apology from NDP
Claims "NDP Olympic-bashers" are fearmongering
Sean Leslie
CKNW

3/10/2009

Finance Minister Colin Hansen says N-D-P leader Carole James owes workers at BC Place and GM Place an apology for suggesting they could lose their jobs during the 2010 Olympics.

He didn't spell it out yesterday, but today Hansen says the only business that will see a direct impact is Hastings Park Casino.

And Hansen says James is spreading malicious rumours by suggesting there will be layoffs at other facilities.

He calls James an "Olympic-basher", says she is fear-mongering, and she should be apologizing to the workers at those stadiums.

James has denied being against all things Olympic.

Source: CKNW

http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1070325

[zivan56]

While this is bad for the workers there, I am more concerned about the power given to the RCMP and military during the Olympics.
Armed soldiers should not be on the streets to reinforce the police.
During the 84 Olympics in Sarajevo they gave them guns with no ammunition just to make sure they wouldn't kill someone for disobeying them or whatnot. I can only imagine what would happen if something like the YVR incident happens again.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by zivan56

While this is bad for the workers there, I am more concerned about the power given to the RCMP and military during the Olympics.
Armed soldiers should not be on the streets to reinforce the police.
During the 84 Olympics in Sarajevo they gave them guns with no ammunition just to make sure they wouldn't kill someone for disobeying them or whatnot. I can only imagine what would happen if something like the YVR incident happens again.

What about Munich? You seemed to have forgotten about that. Post-war West Germany didn't want to appear militaristic, and had a security force that was entirely unarmed. The wall that separated the Olympic Village from the public was only 8 feet tall and was concrete. The terrorists simply climbed over and there were no armed security in the compound.

The Sarajevo comparison is faulty, Bosnia/Herzegovina was politically unstable in 1982 and we all know what happened soon after the 1984 Games.

[jlousa]

Hmm lets we trust soldiers to defend our country and our freedom but we don't trust them to be able to patrol in the streets that they've defended? Do I have that right?

[Distill3d]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

The racecourse is within the security perimeter of the Pacific Coliseum.

i'm aware of its location. call me ignorant, but how is it operating during the Olympics any more of a threat to security than the Costco across the street from GM Place? and i seriously doubt that the Costco will be closed during the games.

[zivan56]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

What about Munich? You seemed to have forgotten about that. Post-war West Germany didn't want to appear militaristic, and had a security force that was entirely unarmed. The wall that separated the Olympic Village from the public was only 8 feet tall and was concrete. The terrorists simply climbed over and there were no armed security in the compound.

The Sarajevo comparison is faulty, Bosnia/Herzegovina was politically unstable in 1982 and we all know what happened soon after the 1984 Games.

There is a difference between using the military for standby purposes and having them actively on the streets patrolling, traffic management, and whatnot.
Obviously there are high risk sites, but why would some grunt need to be regulating traffic downtown or just be walking down it with a rifle on his/her shoulder?

That is a outsiders perspective of the current state of affairs back then. Realistically, most of the problem started in the late 80s. Also, the soldiers on the street were an equal mix of people from all the republics of Yugoslavia, and not just locals.

Anyways, that's not the point. The point was that the government didn't want to have that many soldiers with live ammo on the streets due to the potential for something to go horribly wrong. What is some grunt gets overpowered on the street corner and someone takes his gun/ammunition and goes on a wild shooting spree? The army has very little training dealing with civilians in "friendly" zones and they have no knowledge of civil rights of people in Canada (or what they can ask of them).

Originally Posted by jlousa

Hmm lets we trust soldiers to defend our country and our freedom but we don't trust them to be able to patrol in the streets that they've defended? Do I have that right?

Absolutely no trust for them patrolling our streets. They tend to have the "shoot first ask questions later approach"...much like the RCMP; which I don't trust as well. So yes, you have that right

[djmk]

Originally Posted by zivan56

There is a difference between using the military for standby purposes and having them actively on the streets patrolling, traffic management, and whatnot.
Obviously there are high risk sites, but why would some grunt need to be regulating traffic downtown or just be walking down it with a rifle on his/her shoulder?

i think you are assuming that these soldiers will be carrying their rifles walking down robson. i really doubt this.

Originally Posted by zivan56

Absolutely no trust for them patrolling our streets. They tend to have the "shoot first ask questions later approach"...much like the RCMP; which I don't trust as well. So yes, you have that right

what are you talking about? when was a the last time has this happened in canada?

[djmk]

Originally Posted by Distill3d

i'm aware of its location. call me ignorant, but how is it operating during the Olympics any more of a threat to security than the Costco across the street from GM Place? and i seriously doubt that the Costco will be closed during the games.

yeah, i had the same question. the casino is quite the distance from the Coliseum and there is a separate parking lot.

i do not get it as well

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by zivan56

There is a difference between using the military for standby purposes and having them actively on the streets patrolling, traffic management, and whatnot.

<cut>

The army has very little training dealing with civilians in "friendly" zones and they have no knowledge of civil rights of people in Canada (or what they can ask of them).

Wow, you clearly have so little understanding of the Canadian Forces I don't know where to start. First you claim they will be on the streets in full combat gear (since when?) and then argue it's crazy. Ever heard of straw man?

Second, unless they have specific rules of engagement in enemy territory, soldiers treat everyone around the world with the respect. Especially in Canada they are keenly aware of how much they are watched. In fact they probably wouldn't fight back if hippies like you and the APC were spitting on them in the street. The discipline of the CF is beyond and police force.

But, I don't think there will be uniformed soldiers on the streets of Vancouver anyway, just more police. The CF will be in the air and patrolling the coast. They will be on standby around the area, and likely out of town, ensuring emergency communications are available if necessary, etc. Funny how people who live in some of the most free, peace loving, democratic societies are so scared of a "police state" when they are furthest from it.

[WarrenC12]

Back on the topic of the casino closing, three points are key here:

1. The racetrack will be closed in Feb, so this is strictly the new casino that will be "forced to be closed".

2. This Olympics closure was part of the agreement to grant them a casino license. In my mind, CASE CLOSED.

3. Curiously, Edgewater casino (closer to BC Place than Hastings to the Coliseum) will be open 24 hours during the Olympic period, so I've heard.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by zivan56

There is a difference between using the military for standby purposes and having them actively on the streets patrolling, traffic management, and whatnot.
Obviously there are high risk sites, but why would some grunt need to be regulating traffic downtown or just be walking down it with a rifle on his/her shoulder?

First of all, not ALL of the soldiers will be armed.

Anyways, that's not the point. The point was that the government didn't want to have that many soldiers with live ammo on the streets due to the potential for something to go horribly wrong. What is some grunt gets overpowered on the street corner and someone takes his gun/ammunition and goes on a wild shooting spree? The army has very little training dealing with civilians in "friendly" zones and they have no knowledge of civil rights of people in Canada (or what they can ask of them).

Now that's just fear mongering to the extreme....

Absolutely no trust for them patrolling our streets. They tend to have the "shoot first ask questions later approach"...much like the RCMP; which I don't trust as well. So yes, you have that right

I won't even dignify that with a response.

[wrenegade]

Do you people forget that the first Olympics following Munich were in Montréal? The security there was very very tight. Were there any incidents of police and/or military brutality at those games? If there were, it doesn't seem to be a big deal because nobody has brought it up. We also hosted a games 20 years ago with no incidents regarding security. Mind you, the RCMP is different than it was back then, and they didn't have tasers. The APEC and YVR situations were terrible and I hope to god they have learned. However, I am pretty sure most of the security will be behind the scenes and at dedicated Olympic venues. I doubt you'll see troops walking the pedestrian malls in combat gear with C7s, they'll be regular uniformed police/RCMP officers with sidearms and tasers, just like they do now.

[Distill3d]

Originally Posted by djmk

yeah, i had the same question. the casino is quite the distance from the Coliseum and there is a separate parking lot.

i do not get it as well

exactly. no one (aside from some here it seems) is able to wrap their heads around this one.

everyone i've talked to thinks that if Hastings Race Course is a potential security threat, than the apartment towers downtown near GM Place and BC Place are surely on that list, and its residents will surely be displaced because of the games.

what is even happening at Pacific Coliseum? isn't it short track speed skating or figure skating?

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by awvan

Do you people forget that the first Olympics following Munich were in Montréal? The security there was very very tight. Were there any incidents of police and/or military brutality at those games? If there were, it doesn't seem to be a big deal because nobody has brought it up. We also hosted a games 20 years ago with no incidents regarding security. Mind you, the RCMP is different than it was back then, and they didn't have tasers. The APEC and YVR situations were terrible and I hope to god they have learned. However, I am pretty sure most of the security will be behind the scenes and at dedicated Olympic venues. I doubt you'll see troops walking the pedestrian malls in combat gear with C7s, they'll be regular uniformed police/RCMP officers with sidearms and tasers, just like they do now.

Precisely.

As for APEC, I do believe that was justified police force being used.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Distill3d

exactly. no one (aside from some here it seems) is able to wrap their heads around this one.

everyone i've talked to thinks that if Hastings Race Course is a potential security threat, than the apartment towers downtown near GM Place and BC Place are surely on that list, and its residents will surely be displaced because of the games.

what is even happening at Pacific Coliseum? isn't it short track speed skating or figure skating?

It has been rumoured that the RCMP/CSIS have done security, criminal, and intelligence checks on the owners/residents of the condo units around GM Place and BC Place.

And yes, the Coliseum is hosting speed skating and figure skating.