THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — Vancouver 2010 Olympic organizers marked another milestone Monday with a ceremony for the completion of the University of British Columbia Thunderbird Arena.
The arena will be the venue for men’s and women’s Olympic hockey when the Winter Games begin in February 2010, as well as the men’s ice sledge hockey competition at the Paralympic Games.
Premier Gordon Campbell and John Furlong, CEO of the organizing committee, said the 7,500-seat arena was built on budget but was finished four months ahead of schedule.
"I think it’s important for us to recognize that this project is coming in not just on budget but four months early," said Campbell, speaking at a podium at a spot that will mark the centre face-off spot when the Games begin.
Construction of the arena, located on the UBC campus, began in April 2006 and involved refurbishing the Father Bauer Arena, which was built in 1963 and was the base for the men’s national hockey team up until the Olympic team went pro and began recruiting professional players from the National Hockey League.
.Pat Quinn, a former NHL player, coach and general manager, spoke on behalf of all the Canadian athletes who have taken part in Olympics and world hockey championships.
"I don’t know of a bigger thrill that I’ve ever experience in my life than being involved as a representative for Canada," said Quinn, who coached the 2002 men’s team to Olympic gold in Salt Lake City.
"2002 will be a memory that I carry all of my life. It’s not just about the gold medal but about the people that were involved."
Two other rinks were built next door to the main arena and are to be used as practice rinks during the Games, and by the community before and after the Olympics.
Furlong said Vancouver organizers committed in front of the world to get the project done "on time and on budget" — a common theme for Furlong and the local organizing committee.
He also said that 2010 organizers promised that the athletes would get a chance to use the various venues well before the Games began.
"We promised we’d give the athletes a chance to be in these venues a full two seasons ahead of the Games, and we’ve delivered it."
.The Olympic organizing committee also used Monday’s ceremony to launch the Vancouver 2010 Venues’ Aboriginal Arts Program, to promote the culture of aboriginal artists during the Games.
The program allows all native artists in Canada — First Nations, Inuit and Metis — to apply to display their art at all 15 Olympic and Paralympic venues.
