Q. Are there memberships here? How much? A. Click here to view our Membership Rates.
Q. What is the building located on the North side of the OVAL? A. This building belongs to the developer of the lands surrounding the OVAL and will become a sales centre and restaurant.
Q. What are the red nets? A. Two ephemeral sculptures—sky lanterns up to 60 feet in diameter and 70 feet tall made of steel rings and diaphanous, flexible nets—are suspended in the air, changing shape over time with the play of wind. Inspired by the Nitobe Gardens at UBC and the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden in Vancouver’s Chinatown, and informed by the fishing cultures of Richmond, Boston-based public artist Janet Echelman collaborated with Phillips, Farevaag, Smallenberg Landscape Architects and the Cannon Design team to create an ever-changing experience that integrates history with landscape.
Q. What are they doing with the building after the Olympics? A. Click here to begin reading read our Legacy Section.
Q. How much land does the entire site take up? A. The oval takes up approximately 11 acres – the entire building is sitting on 32 acres of city owned land.
Q.What measures does the OVAL use to reduce its electricity usage? A.We are pleased to let the public know the following procedures are in place to reduce electricity usage at the oval: 60% of the 308 lights located above the field of play are scheduled to turn off at 11pm and turn back on at 5:45am. 70% of the remaining lights (non-field of play) in the oval are scheduled to turn off at 11pm and turn back on at 5:45am. The remaining lights are left on during the grave-yard shift to facilitate oval staff with cleaning and maintenance of the facility, and for security and safety reasons.
Q. Will there be a shuttle bus from the Canada Line to the Oval during the Olympics? A. The roads near the Oval (River Road, parts of No. 2 Road, and parts of Hollybridgeway) will be closed. During the games there will be an Olympic shuttle service running, which will be the only vehicle access to this venue. Public will also be allowed to walk to the venue using the dykes.
Q. Are there any owls in the building? A. In consultation with O.W.L. (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of BC), we have implemented new procedures to prevent the entrance of birds to the OVAL. During major load-ins from the North Plaza, large plastic strips are now used to cover any openings.
Q. Is the water in the pond from the ditch? Why is the water so dirty? A. No, the water is not from the ditch or the river. The water in the pond is actually from the roof (rain water). The reason it is so dirty is because the vegetation surrounding the pond is still fairly new, and has not had quite enough time to filter the water naturally. The water will become more clear as the vegetation becomes better established.
Q. How much did the building cost? A. The building cost a total of $178 million. $141 million of this came from land sale, and the rest was provided by different governments, including Federal, Provincial, and Municipal. The Oval also has access to a Games Operating Trust fund established at $110 million that will be shared between the Richmond Olympic Oval, and the Whistler Sliding Centre and Whistler Olympic Park.
A: Visit Vanoc at www.vancouver2010.com today.
