Considerable controversy and the estimated $580 million cost aside, from the bobsleigh and luge sliding centre in Whistler, to the freestyle skiing venues and Olympic Oval in Vancouver, the complexes are ready to go -- not just for athletes, but for family friendly testing.
"Today is a proud moment," said VANOC CEO John Furlong the day the final venue opened its doors for business. "It's wonderful to see athletes now competing and testing these venues while youngsters and adults alike experience the legacies far in advance of the Games."
Indeed, in the next 11 months leading up to the Games, average people can explore, sample and test many of these sites, which will be the world's focus from Feb. 12-28, 2010. If you're planning a pre-Olympic family trip to either Vancouver or Whistler, here's what you can see and do:
First there's Richmond's Olympic Oval, an awesome 33,750-sq.-metre facility that will host the Olympic Winter Games' speed skating events.
Located 14 km south of downtown Vancouver, the Oval's flooring, panelling and furnishings have been constructed with the trees cut down to make way for the project, giving the mammoth building a West Coast, all-natural feel. Adding to the building's sustainable aspects is the roof, made from B.C. trees destroyed in the recent pine beetle infestation.
Until mid-March, the Oval is being used for Olympic test events, including the Essent ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships. The ice will then come out temporarily for technical modifications. But the Oval will re-open June 1 for drop-in public skating, plus speed skating lessons for adults and kids. See richmondoval.ca.
Next, there's the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre. Located on one of the highest points of land in the centre of Vancouver, the curling venue has a pretty view of Vancouver's North Shore.
Perhaps more interesting are its eco-friendly aspects: Rainwater is used to flush toilets and the building is powered by a mix of electricity, natural gas and solar energy. Post Games the building will be modified into a community centre with a rink, indoor pool and outdoor aquatic centre. See Vancouver.ca/parks/info/2010olympics.
Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver gets to host some of the most exiting Olympic events, including snowboard racing and halfpipe competitions, freestyle moguls and rock 'em, sock 'em ski cross. Cypress has built a beautiful new lodge in honour of the Olympic events, and its mogul, ski cross and freestyle courses have been designated.
While the public doesn't get to sample them yet, until the end of this ski season and at the start of next riders can ski the slopes next to them and gain some pretty good views. Riders can also drop into the Olympic superpipe -- yes it's Olympic-sized, and it definitely is super. See cypressmountain.com.
Approaching Whistler, the Callaghan Valley's Whistler Olympic Park is now open for public business. This massive outdoor venue for 2010's nordic events -- cross-country skiing, biathlon and ski jumping -- has two of its 5-km XC courses open to the public. You can also ski some of the Park's 45 other kilometres of trails. Or, if you've got the guts, the Callaghan Winter Sports club is hosting ski jumping clinics in March.
Next to the ski jump, there's a gigantic tobogganing hill that's open to the public. See callaghanwintersportsclub.com. For more information on 2010 Games venues at Vancouver and Whistler, visit vancouver2010.com.
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