Opening of the Vancouver Convention Centre, site of the International Broadcast Centre for the 2010 Winter Games – News Releases via Vancouver 2010, Apr 3, 2009 By Vanoc
Note: Article shared here in full for historical record. Original article link is broken, as such, accessed from Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, Feb. 2017. Posted with original publication date to place in context.
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Vancouver, BC— Broadcasters from around the world will report live on the excitement of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games against the stunning backdrop of the city’s mountain and waterfront vista from the newly expanded Vancouver Convention Centre, which officially opened today.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will operate the International Broadcast Centre from the newest section of the centre, which features a 2.4-hectare living green roof and a restored marine habitat underneath. The site — a television city with full services and amenities — will open to broadcasters from more than 100 countries on January 12, 2010 and close in late March of that year.
“We want to congratulate the Province of British Columbia, all of the workers and especially convention centre volunteer chairman David Podmore on a job well done. This centre will truly be a legacy jewel for the city,” said John Furlong, VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer.
“This facility will be home for several weeks in 2010 to the most broad-reaching and influential broadcast media in the world and we’re proud to welcome them to it,” Furlong continued. “Broadcasters have told me viewers at home will be blown away by the city’s spectacular scenery when they tune in to watch the Games.”
The entire Vancouver Convention Centre will act as the Main Media Centre for the Olympic Winter Games, including both the International Broadcast Centre and the Main Press Centre, located nearby under the distinctive white sails of Canada Place. An estimated 10,000 journalists will churn out stories, video and photos, capturing the spirit and athletic accomplishments of the world’s top athletes from the downtown Vancouver venue during the Games.
Located in the heart of the city’s waterfront area, the Main Media Centre is within walking distance of major Games venues, including the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver, BC Place and Canada Hockey Place. The centre also provides breathtaking views of the snow-capped North Shore Mountains (home of snowboard and freestyle skiing events during the Olympic Winter Games), as well as the city’s famous Stanley Park and its stands of massive cedars and Douglas firs and the distinctive span of Lions Gate Bridge, linking the city with the Sea to Sky route to Whistler, where the alpine, Nordic and sliding competitions will be held.
In recent months, VANOC has met with businesses and residents near the Vancouver Convention Centre to outline the activities of the Main Media Centre and discuss business operations and residential life during the Games.
About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.