Richmond Olympic Oval
The Richmond Olympic Oval, or the Richmond Oval is a facility currently under construction in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. It will be the venue of the speed skating events of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The cost of the project is currently estimated at $178 million.[1]
It will be built on a site beside the Fraser River, a few blocks away from Lansdowne Station on the Canada Line. From the air, the roof will take the stylized native shape of a heron's wing, a tribute to the Salish First Nation and the large wading bird that cohabited the riverbank at first European contact 230 years ago. It will cover 33,000 m² of space, including a 20,000 m² main floor that includes a 400 m refrigerated track. It will accommodate 8,000 spectators.
The principal and lead project architect is Bob Johnston, who was involved in the design of both the Calgary and Salt Lake City tracks.
After the Olympics, the oval will be converted to a multi-use sport facility that will include two Olympic-sized ice rinks, up to eight hardwood ball-sport courts, a gymnasium, a 200 m track and a rubberized turf area. The speed-skating oval will be covered with removable flooring and could still be used for competition.
Recent geotechnical reports have cast doubt on the stability of the land over the lifespan of the facility, raising concerns about costs and the legacy left after the Olympics.[citation needed] Richmond, which is in an extremely active seismic zone, is built on a river delta which is composed of thick, unstable sediments. After site preparation eventually on November 17th 2006 the construction of the oval began. [2] The Richmond Oval is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008. [3]
References
- ^ City of Richmond. Project cost. Accessed June 23, 2006.
- ^ Globalandmail.com Construction begins. Accessed November 18, 2006
- ^ The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) Estimated delivery. Accessed November 17, 2006
External links
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