Facts & Figures

• The Richmond Olympic Oval officially opened December 12, 2008, on time and on budget. It will be home to long track speed skating during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

• The Oval has been the most open and accessible Olympic venue prior to the Games in history. Approximately 300,000 members of the public have been through its doors to date, participating in health and wellness activities, celebratory events, or as spectators of high performance sporting events.

• Events held at the Oval have included the Essent ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championship – the official test event for the Games – the Coloplast Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Championships, and the Racket Rally invitational featuring the world’s top badminton and table tennis players.

• The Oval had approximately 1800 paid members of the public as of December 1, 2009 that had access to the ice during public skating times, 4 hardwood courts uniquely located in the middle of the Oval ice, an indoor rowing tank, rowing / cycling studio, two group fitness studios and on site child minding.

• For the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Oval will house a 400-metre speed skating track and seat 8,000. The Oval will be home to 12 medal events, with 36 medals to be awarded.

• The Oval was built by the City of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The Richmond Oval Corporation operates the Oval on behalf of the City. The Richmond Olympic Oval project, which also includes a waterfront plaza and park and a parkade was budgeted for $178 million (Canadian).

• Post-Games, the Oval will become an international centre of excellence for sports and wellness. The Oval’s flexible design will allow it to be used for a wide variety of different sport and community uses.

• In typical use, the Oval’s main activity floor will have three primary activity areas offering ice, hardwood courts and an indoor track area. This will offer a full range of training and competitive opportunities for both summer and winter sports, ranging from developmental and recreational to elite level sport.

• A complete range of sports medicine and wellness services and activity areas, including a major fitness centre, will also be housed in the Oval, along with retail and food services.

• The Richmond Olympic Oval is located within 32 acres of City-owned land along the banks of the Fraser River, just minutes from Vancouver International Airport.

• The Government of Canada and Province of BC have contributed a total of $60 million toward the capital cost of the Oval. In addition, the Oval will receive a minimum of $60 million through the Legacy Trust to offset ongoing operating costs.