2010 Vancouver Olympic & Paralympic Super-Thread

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by ravman

how about we talk come Feb 2011 or feb 2012 ( when this thread is changed to the coundown from the winter games).... the true picture will be visible then.... but mark my words... the economic picture aint going to be as rosy as they have painted....

The economy is bound to rebound in the next 2 years, 3 years max.

And with regards to the recession, well the Olympics are probably one big reason why the recession hasn't hit this city as bad as any other place. Further, Olympic costs and so-called social impacts (i.e. the irrelevant increased homelessness) have been overblown by the media funneled down to a rather ignorant public. The "$6-billion" figure is unfortunately thrown around as the official Games cost....logic would tell you it's more like $2.5-billion when you cut out things that would have been built regardless and/or were always planned. And surely, what we've invested is significantly with capital infrastructure - it's not going anywhere after 2010, and it'll only benefit people who live here.

Contrary to media belief, these Games have been some of the most socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible in the history of the Olympics. Other cities didn't even give a care in the world for sustainability, the environment, post-Games legacies, social inclusion, and we've tried to milk quite a bit out of our Olympic investment towards international business and tourism. Perhaps in this little west coast bubble of ours, we have higher expectations - but one needs to compare with what other Olympic host cities went through, and when you do that Vancouver is already a winner.

If you think the NDP would have done something differently, think again. Nobody saw the recession coming. And surely, you can't cut the Olympic budget...which is already the most modest Winter Games since Salt Lake. Spend more, people complain. Spend less, people complain. People want quality work, yet they don't want to pay for it.

Ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Sometimes, it's almost as if some British Columbians - like yourself - want the Games to fail just to prove a political/ideological point rather than being true to your heart and wanting it to succeed for the greater good and well-being of this city and province.

Afterall, isn't that why recessions and depressions are prolonged? Self-fulfilling prophecy is in action when consumer confidence/public's confidence in the economy has failed. If everyone goes against the Games, there's no hope for it to succeed. Fortunately, that's far from the case....rather, it's just those that are opposed to something that are always the loudest.

It takes all of us to make something work.

[SpongeG]

i'm more of the glass is half empty right now - i think the world and the economy is screwed and going to get worse

and i think the economy is going to splinter and get smaller and we will need to adapt and should be already

[mr.x]

I just submitted my application to become a 2010 Olympic Torch Bearer! And just in time too, for RBC, as the deadline was 23:59:59 EST...i got it in at 23:57.

[jlousa]

Wow some of these are really going to piss some people off. Personally I'm okay with them and in fact there are quite a few that I hope remain as a legacy.

City of Vancouver News Release
July 16, 2009


Council to consider by-law changes to support 2010 Winter Games

Proposed by-law changes going to City Council next week will help ensure the right regulatory environment is in place to support many of the entertainment, sponsorship, security and transportation activities associated with the 2010 Winter Games, Mayor Gregor Robertson said today.

“Vancouver is preparing to host the largest celebration the City has ever seen,” Mayor Robertson said. “The by-law changes Council will consider on July 21 are designed to give businesses and organizers the tools they need to prepare for a very successful and safe Games celebration.”

The proposed by-law changes include:

* Temporarily increasing the number of taxi and limousine licenses to make it easier for residents and visitors to move around the city.
* Extending the hours of restaurant patio service as well as restaurant seating capacity.
* Requiring the timely removal of graffiti and unauthorized commercial advertising on construction-site fencing and other sites.
* Prohibiting weapons and alcohol at the City’s live entertainment sites and introducing security screenings at the entrance to the sites.
* Allowing trucks to make deliveries 24 hours a day in the downtown area.
* Adjusting the start time for refuse pick up each day.

If approved by council, the by-law changes would be in effect from January 1 through March 31, 2010.

“Given the unique and large-scale nature of the Games, by-law amendments are needed to extend normal special-event activities on a larger scale throughout the city. If approved by Council, staff will monitor the by-laws closely and report back on any amendments that would benefit the city over the longer term.”

Once the by-law amendments are approved and finalized, details will be posted under City By-laws in the Services section of the Host City’s website at vancouver.ca.


BACKGROUNDER

July 16, 2009
Proposed 2010 Winter Games By-law Amendments

If approved, the proposed by-law changes will be in effect between January 1 and March 31, 2010. Some of the proposed by-law amendments may be beneficial on a permanent basis. The effectiveness of the amendments will be monitored during the Games period, and any proposed changes would be brought back to Council for consideration following the Games.
Building By-law amendments

* Amendments support custom modular buildings at Games time
* Restrict advertising on fencing around construction sites
* Require building owners to remove graffiti and posters from fencing on streets, and if not done, allow City Engineer to remove graffiti or posters and charge back to owner

City Land Regulation By-law amendments

* Regulates City’s activities on City sites such as LiveCity Yaletown and LiveCity Downtown, including prohibition of weapons, large items like luggage, consumption of alcohol unless inside a licensed facility, unlicensed vending, etc.

Graffiti By-law amendments

* Requires occupants and owners to remove graffiti from private property, requiring more timely removal

Noise Control By-law amendments

* Allow repair and maintenance, vehicle and equipment operation and servicing, solid waste removal, and portable toilet pumping of VANOC venues, including competition, non-competition, cultural venues and support facilities, and City sites 24 hours per day
* Allow solid waste removal 5 am to midnight in the downtown core Monday to Friday (normally 6 am to midnight) and 8 am to midnight Saturday and Sunday (normally 10 am to midnight)
* Allow solid waste removal outside of the downtown core 6 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday (normally 7 am to 8 pm) and 8 am to 8 pm Saturday and Sunday (normally 10 am to 8 pm)
* Allow radio and television broadcast production 24 hours per day
* Allow public address, recorded and live music, entertainment, voice amplification systems at VANOC venues and city sites 8 am until midnight seven days per week.


Sign By-law amendments

* Permits installation of large-format signs beginning October 1, 2009 to give sponsors and businesses adequate time for installation

Street and Traffic By-law amendments

* Permits security based closures 24-hours a day, seven days a week as required by Vancouver Integrated Security Unit
* Allows closures for pedestrian corridors between noon and midnight during 2010 Olympic Winter Games
* Permits temporary truck routes and Olympic Lanes
* Restricts street-based commercial advertising, including automatic changeable advertising and mobile advertising media. The changes apply to commercial advertising only, and not to other forms of expression

Vehicles for Hire By-law

* Temporarily expands taxi and limousine fleets at Games time
* Reduced licence fee of $200 (rather than the full-year fee of $479)

Zoning and Development By-law

* Permits temporary use of sites (e.g. East Fraser Lands) for Games-related purposes where current zoning does not allow for the proposed use

Outdoor patios

* Allows extended patio hours from current 11 pm to 1 am to support businesses and allow increased seating capacity for restaurants throughout the city (does not apply to liquor-primary establishments)

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/newsreleases2009/NR2010bylawchanges.htm

[Delirium]

this was dissapointing to hear. it certainly won't have the same effect as being in the library -

‘Vancouver House’ showcase to be moved over security concerns
http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/local/...wcase-to-be-moved-over-security-concerns

Concerns over the cost of security mean the city’s showcase exhibition “Vancouver House” will not be held in the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library during the 2010 Games as had been planned.

According to a report to council tomorrow, Vancouver House, “a major pillar” of the city’s 2010 Olympic celebration program, will instead be moved to the LiveCity site, at Georgia Street.

Among the reasons for the move are the complexity and significant costs of security to house the exhibition in the library’s atrium.

Moving to the LiveCity site should mitigate the risk of cost overruns and decrease the operating and security costs.

[jlousa]

Seems like I was beaten to the punch.
Anyways here are the details

PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to advise Council that the location of Vancouver House will move from the Vancouver Public Library to LiveCity Downtown at Georgia Street and to explain the rationale.

BACKGROUND
Vancouver House is a major pillar of the City’s 2010 Games’ celebration program. It will showcase and celebrate for citizens, visitors and dignitaries the uniqueness of our City, its key attributes, important economic opportunities, and the broad diversity of our public.
Council approved the original plan for Vancouver House in March 2009. Since that time, intensive planning has resulted in a recommendation to the City Manager to change the venue of Vancouver House from the Vancouver Public Library to the LiveCity Downtown site.
Key among the factors considered in the decision to change the venue were:
• Impacts on accessibility to both Vancouver House and the VPL by the general public
• Ability to secure and control the site through Games time to support the logistics ofthe display and presentation
• The complexity and significant costs of the recommended security needs associated with Vancouver House in the VPL
• Ability to have Vancouver House open to the public during both the Olympic and Paralympic Games
• In consideration of these and other ancillary issues, we have determined that the preferred site for the Vancouver House is LiveCity Downtown. The change of location will not create any additional direct or indirect costs but will significantly mitigate the risk of cost overruns. The project will be delivered within the budget of $1,550,000 as approved by Council. The
increased flexibility and reduced operating and security costs afforded by locating at LiveCity Downtown, will result in a more accessible venue, during both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The VPL is a key public resource, and its iconic structure will be an attraction during the Games. It is the intent of the Olympic Secretariat to continue to work with senior management staff at the VPL to work on programming opportunities during the Games.

DISCUSSION
The original choice of the Library as the site for Vancouver House was made in recognition of its central and iconic location. While indisputably attractive, the Library atrium did present a number of challenges. One of these was the sheer size and design of the atrium. In order to create an environment where light and sound were controlled, additional cost unique to this location were identified.
Another challenge was to design an exhibition space and to plan for the flow of up to 10,000 people per day, while remaining respectful to the need of the Library to remain open and of the Library’s patrons to maintain reasonable, unimpeded access. Additional to this, was the necessity of ensuring that the existing businesses located within the atrium were able to continue to operate.
To accomplish all of the above, while maintaining a security level appropriate for the venue and the displays within it, evolved into a complex and potentially expensive issue.
One of the shortcomings of the location was that, to operate the venue during both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games, was financially prohibitive.
As a result of serious consideration to these and other issues, it was determined that the LiveCity Downtown site would provide better accessibility, eliminate potential user conflicts and extraordinary security costs and – most importantly – provide a flexible, controlled display space that can be used for both of our Games.

CONCLUSION
It is recommended that Vancouver House be located within LiveCity Downtown, at Georgia Street.

[Delirium]

^ does that mean the exterior lighting (as originally proposed) is also cancelled? i would imagine so but thought i'd ask.

VANOC came out with a really cute video on sustainability. it's well done.
http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/sustaina...68074/6vk7sa/sustainability-journey.html

[Locked In]

Balancing the budget - VANOC's Olympic task
The Globe and Mail
By Rod Mickleburgh, The Globe and Mail Posted Friday, August 7, 2009 9:36 PM ET


Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER - In mere days, Vancouver's turn in the Olympic spotlight will be just six months away. The 2010 Winter Games, which have seemed years away forever, are now hurtling towards the city like an express train.

Mostly, the Games are ready. Venues have long since been finished, tested and found to function well. Completion of the troubled Olympic Village, despite its financial ills, is on target. Leadership of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for 2010 (VANOC) has remained largely intact, and not a whiff of scandal has risen to darken the Games' image.

And yet, for practically the first time since Vancouver secured the bid to stage the Winter Olympics more than six long years ago, the question is being asked: has the bloom gone off the rose?

Just when everything seemed to be going so well, the world-wide recession hit last year like a thunderbolt, and nothing has seemed easy since.

Scrimping, saving, scrounging and cutting have been the order of the day as VANOC struggles to cut costs and balance its $1.76-billion operating budget in the face of stagnating revenues.

Few talk any more about these being the best Winter Games ever.

"My vision is gone. I live in damage control now," Lucia Montanarella, the frank head of VANOC press operations, told a reporter recently. All the ‘nice to have things,' you lose them. Going through budget cuts is not unusual, but it's hard."

As a result, according to Ms. Montanarella: "These will be good Games, not spectacular."

NDP Olympic critic Kathy Corrigan said diminished expectations may dampen public enthusiasm for the Games. "When you ramp up expectations and don't meet them, when things don't work financially, then people are going to start to get a bit cynical about the Olympics," Ms. Corrigan said.

In a sombre, reflective assessment Friday, VANOC head John Furlong acknowledged the Games' changed circumstances.

"We thought this year would be all about executing and delivering services the way they were planned. But it's not as simple as it used to be," said Mr. Furlong.

"We will probably not spend a day between now and the end of the Olympics when we are not evaluating a decision against the costs of delivery...and the ground is always moving. It's an element we really hadn't thought we'd be dealing with today."

Although VANOC keeps financial details close to its chest, the situation may be getting worse, not better.

Known budget shortfalls amount to as much as $42-million - an undelilvered $30-million contribution from the International Olympic Committee because of a shortage of global sponsors, and $12-million in as yet unsold billboard advertising space.

Corporate buying of luxury, $285,000 packages to the Games, including limousine service and admissions to all the elite Olympic events, has stalled, and some provinces have still not ponied up funds for marketing and other privileges at the Games.

The cash crunch has forced VANOC officials to seek new dollars south of the border, offering U.S. states a similar chance to buy into the Games, and, in a surprise move last week, asking local businesses to lend them up to 1,500 employees for short-term Olympic service to ease payroll costs.

An experienced Olympic source called such an ambitious plea so close to the Feb. 10 opening ceremonies "an enormous red flag" showing the extent of VANOC's budget difficulties. "Asking companies for that amount of expertise at this point feeds conventional wisdom that there is going to be a significant budget deficit."

Mr. Furlong, however, insisted the Games' operating budget will be balanced. "It's challenging, it really is. But we are not going to lose our focus for even five seconds, so that the money in and the money out is neutral."

He further rejected any suggestion the 2010 Olympics will be some sort of lacklustre, recession-marred affair. Individual venues are spectacular, and the convention centre, where the international media will be based, is gorgeous, said Mr. Furlong. "The field of play, the television pictures will be stunning. It's going to be great."

As for the fiscal hurdles ahead, overcoming them will make the Games even sweeter, the VANOC chief said. "We all like the victories that we fight the hardest for."

Never, in his wildest imaginings, did Mr. Furlong think that simply meeting its budget could be VANOC's greatest achievement.

"Yet managing one of the most complicated projects in the world against this kind of economic backdrop and pulling it off might be the one area where we earn most of our kudos," he said. "None of us ever thought that."

And, at the end of the day, there might even be a small surplus, Mr. Furlong said. He permitted himself a smile.

Source: Globe and Mail

[mr.x]

It really is unfortunate that the recession came at this time. VANOC was doing so well just before it.


Record sponsorships, record tv rights, venues relatively on budget and built ahead of schedule....i always thought we would be going full out with these Games. It seems more and more we're like SLC, which cut back hundreds and hundreds of millions from its operations budget.

[Yume-sama]

Everything will be alright. $42 million deficit (probably won't even be that high) really isn't THAT big of a deal, in the scheme of things.

NDP Olympic critic Kathy Corrigan

What a lonely cat lady she must be.

[mr.x]

NDP BEFORE RECESSION: "VANOC STOP SPENDING! YOU'RE SPENDING TOO MUCH! NO MORE SPENDING"

NDP Olympic critic Kathy Corrigan said diminished expectations may dampen public enthusiasm for the Games. "When you ramp up expectations and don't meet them, when things don't work financially, then people are going to start to get a bit cynical about the Olympics," Ms. Corrigan said.

NDP DURING RECESSION: "SPEND MORE! WE WANT HIGHER QUALITY GAMES! SPEND MORE VANOC! MORE!"

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Everything will be alright. $42 million deficit (probably won't even be that high) really isn't THAT big of a deal, in the scheme of things.



What a lonely cat lady she must be.

I'm not too worried about a deficit, I'm more worried about the quality of the Games.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by mr.x

NDP BEFORE RECESSION: "VANOC STOP SPENDING! YOU'RE SPENDING TOO MUCH! NO MORE SPENDING"



NDP DURING RECESSION: "SPEND MORE! WE WANT HIGHER QUALITY GAMES! SPEND MORE VANOC! MORE!"

They truly are the party of being for the "opposite of whatever is actually happening"

[mr.x]

If only some rich billionaire could dole out a few million for VANOC like what happened for Salt Lake.

[Canadian Mind]

Or the government could muster up the funds to cover the shortfalls and allow the games to be spectacular rather than mediocre.

[crazyjoeda]

Originally Posted by mr.x

I'm not too worried about a deficit, I'm more worried about the quality of the Games.

I'm not worried about either. The venues look great and Vancouver is practically the perfect city for the Winter Olympics. Most of what will make these Olympics great has been here for decades.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Canadian Mind

Or the government could muster up the funds to cover the shortfalls and allow the games to be spectacular rather than mediocre.

...only to have a public uproar about how the Games cost more?

I mean, you even had people complaining a few weeks ago about VANOC was going to take out $8.5-million from its contingency fund and spend it on higher quality ceremonies (almost $50-million is now budgeted for the opening/closing). It wasn't even public money, it was sponsor money.....though I think VANOC went down the mediocre route for the ceremonies a long time ago by insisting for quite awhile that no major BC Place renovations would have to be done for 2010. The lack of staging space at BC Place is partially why there are only 4,500 volunteer performers.

[Canadian Mind]

I was assuming that based on what you said above about the NDP saying more funding, that regardless of public uproar niether party would benifit.

[mr.x]

It really comes down to people wanting quality, but don't want to pay for it.

[Canadian Mind]

I think those that don't want to pay for it are just making alot of noise. There was a refferendum held over th olympics, and knowing it would cost alot, the majority said yes, expecting a great show and knowing of the long term benifits and gains those expenses would bring.