Richmond Oval — more than meets the ice
The City of Richmond's speed skating oval re-opens for public use April 1, a community and sports legacy for years to come. Graphic: still from Oval video.
The best is yet to come to the Richmond Olympic Oval as the region is poised to enjoy this world-class facility. Area residents can look forward to participating in a wide range of activities.
The Oval will re-open April 1 for group fitness classes, tours, and meetings. Come by for public skating sessions April 3 to 5, between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is $2, free for children under five.
Following minor retrofits over the next few months, programming is expected to include summer and winter sports, recreation, culture, business and environmental activities in the distinctively designed structure which has become failiar to millions of Olympic viewers.
Check out the legacy for yourself on Richmond's Olympic Oval website. It's called "More than meets the ice.'
Many partners contributed to the Oval’s realization, including funding from the province’s BC Spirit Squares program. But Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie emphasizes that the City did not increase property taxes, or undertake external borrowing to fund the design and construction of the facility.
“We knew we wanted to maximize this opportunity as one of the three Olympic host communities, and we've been delighted by the huge level of interest, and how our profile has really expanded," the mayor said. "For us it has really defined the future prospects for the Oval, and for Richmond as a whole.”
As one of the busiest venues during the Games, the Oval hosted medal events, as well as providing first-class support areas for athletes, coaches, trainers, officials and volunteers. In accommodating hundreds of world-wide media broadcasters the Oval’s stunning waterfront location was front and centre.
And media exposure has truly showcased Richmond’s remarkable location, noted Mayor Brodie.
“We were intent on making a world-class facility that would offer multi-purpose options for the community after the Games.”
And area residents are truly the medal winners in getting to enjoy this facility well into the future.
The roof of this award-winning facility was made using wood affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation in B.C. The Oval was also designed to qualify for LEED Silver certification, through some innovative eco-friendly initiatives.
