Opening Ceremony of Richmony Olympic Skating Oval

The new Richmond Skating Oval is on the bank of the Frazer River. We watched this area being prepared for construction in 2005. At that time we didn't know what the site was for, as it was one among many undeveloped sites in Richmond and Vancouver that were under construction

The Oval is located on 32 acres of land by the Frazer River Minuets from Vancouver International Airport. The surrounding area will to be developed with a new waterfront Plaza and a mix of urban residential, commercial and Public amenity projects. The Ovals flexible design will allow it to host a number of different sports and also has a complete range of fitness equipment. It aims to become an International Center for fitness and well being. For the 2010 winter Olympic it will host the speed skating events and has a 400 meters track and will seat 8000 people.

Above is a photo of a section of the Pine roof being craned into position and the bottom photo is how the site looked last year in October and November when we were here last here.

The Grand Opening Ceremonies

on Friday and Saturday the 12th and 13th December 2008.

Friday RAINED, heavy and nonstop. The predicted snow was confined to a few flaked in the morning. The horrid weather didn't deter the people of Richmond and Vancouver heading for the Grand Opening Ceremonies and that included us. Muffled in layers of warm clothes and armed with umbrellas we lined up with thousands of others all around the massive building shuffling forward towards the entrance. The line up moved surprisingly quickly. Half way Nancylee and John peeled off and detoured to the food stands near the entrance to return with welcome cups of hot chocolate.

We were a rather damp group that eventually gained entry into the brightly lit, surprisingly warm building. Once in we marveled at the size of the space and the rink. Construction isn't quite complete as the tiered seats around the rink side are not yet in place. This was probably a good thing as people wanted to explore the space.

The actual ceremony with civic dignitaries, speeches and band was held at one end of the Oval. The proceedings were watched by people on a few of the tiered seating already in place but was impossible for most people to see. The video screen wasn't big enough and its visibility and the sound was not good. Perhaps not the most conspicuous of opening ceremony. There was plenty of other things going on in the space around the rink to interest people.

They're all sucking free 'Kojak' lollies!

After the official 'bit' was over the children were let on the rink.

Teams of mini Ice hockey skaters poured onto the rink along with their minders......

.................and cartoon characters..............

........................and scantily dressed figures skaters in glitzy costumes....................

It was fascinating to watch some of these tiny tots scrunched up in their hockey padding tearing around the ice with surprising confidence.

Later the as the youngsters came off the general public were allowed on, the first ones in their own skates. Then others with hired skates. The line up to hire was rather long so I decided as it was probably 50 years since I had donned a pair of skated and with a duff knee it may not be a good idea as much as I would have liked too.

Hunger pangs were beginning to hit us so we headed off into the wet night to find the car which had just been given a parking ticket! shucks! 15 minutes sooner any we would have been away free!

To compensate we headed to the Flying Beaver Richmond's most popular pub. It was warm, packed and noisy but we found a table and had an excellent meal.

Nancy and I were bushed so we were taken home while Dave John and Nancylee headed back to Ikea to dive into the scrum of their Midnight Madness Sale.