Jan. 15, 2008
RICHMOND – Premier Gordon Campbell, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and other dignitaries marked a construction milestone for a major Olympic venue today as the final section of the Richmond Oval’s massive 6.5-acre roof was lifted into place.
"Today marks an important step forward as B.C. prepares to play host to the world in 2010,” said Premier Campbell. “Like the B.C.-Canada Pavilion at the upcoming 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, the Richmond Oval and its unique roof constructed primarily of pine beetle-killed timber will showcase the ingenuity and innovation of B.C.’s wood products industry to an international audience.”
Premier Campbell, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Olympic Secretariat James Moore, VANOC CEO John Furlong and other special guests joined Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Richmond City Council in signing the final roof section before it was lifted into place. Over the past week, more than 8,000 Richmond residents, project workers and City staff also made their mark on Olympic history by adding their signatures to the final roof section.
With the roof substantially complete, the Oval is now approximately 60 per cent complete and remains on target for construction completion this fall.
“Today’s placement of the final roof section of the Richmond Oval marks an important step as we drive forward to the 2010 Winter Games,” said Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics and MP for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam, speaking on behalf of the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. “In 2010, the Richmond Oval will be the venue for exciting speed-skating competitions and, hopefully, for many medal-winning performances by our athletes. It will also serve as a legacy of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and will be an enduring asset for Canadian athletes and the community.”
“The Richmond Oval will soon provide a spectacular stage for the world’s finest athletes and excited spectators to experience the thrill of competition,” said Furlong. “Some of Canada’s greatest medal potential comes from speed skaters who will compete in this venue. Today we witnessed the final section of the roof being raised just as we hope to witness the Canadian flag in 2010 raised high above Canada’s athletes standing on the podium.”
Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. is contributing $1.5 million towards the engineering and design of the roof in order to support and promote the use of B.C. wood.
