The
Richmond Speed Skating Oval
by
Paul
Living in Richmond, British Columbia,
Canada, I often drive along a portion of River Road which parallels and is
adjacent to the Richmond Oval. This drive gives me the opportunity to watch
and monitor the growth and construction activities at this magnificent
site. Seeing this Oval slowly taking its intended shape has sparked my
interest in learning more about this world class facility.
The Richmond Oval project is being
built for several reasons. It will host the long track speed skating
competition for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It will
become a permanent local and international centre for excellence in sports
and wellness. As well, the Oval will act as the agent to reshape Richmond’s
City Centre and promote better city and community liveability.
With its construction underway since
about September 2005, the Richmond Oval is scheduled to open in the fall of
2008. Located within about 13 hectares of Richmond City land along the
banks of the Fraser River, the Oval is just minutes away from the Vancouver
International Airport. Being built by the City of Richmond, the Richmond
Oval project with its new waterfront plaza, park, and parkade, will cost
$178 million (Canadian). At about 32 000 square metres in size, the Oval
will house a state-of-the-art international 400-metre long speed skating
track, and provide seating for approximately 8000 spectators. The Oval is
expected to be home for up to 12 medal events in 2010, with the potential of
awarding 36 medals.
In typical use, the Oval’s main activity
floor will have three primary activity areas offering ice, hardwood and the
indoor track area. These will offer a full range of training and
competitive opportunities for both summer and winter sports. The Oval will
offer a complete range of sports medicine, wellness services, activity
areas, and it will house a major fitness centre along with retail and food
services. The Oval facility will subsequently become the focus of
Richmond’s new waterfront neighbourhood featuring residential, commercial
and public development.
The
Richmond Oval’s gigantic roof is of particular interest because it displays
a unique design. The Oval will be the first building in the world to
feature a one-of-a-kind wave design built exclusively from wood. Such a
wooden roof structure, built primarily from British Columbia lumber, will
help filter much of the nearby airport noise, and help reduce expansion and
contraction of the Oval facility. Furthermore, such an extensive use of
British Columbia lumber, a natural material, is consistent with the goal of
constructing and operating the Oval with environmentally sensitive
approaches.
The
Richmond Oval will indeed be an important legacy for the 2010 Olympic and
Paralympic Winter Games. The Oval will also have significant social,
recreational, and financial benefits for the City of Richmond, the Province
of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada. Richmond’s goal toward
becoming a more appealing, better managed and healthier community, will
certainly be facilitated by the Oval.
Be sure to
try the quiz below!
Links
for reference and further details:
Richmond Oval Site – Construction Photographs
Click here for a 360 degree flight around the Richmond Oval
Vancouver 2010 – Richmond Oval
City of
Richmond – Richmond Oval
British Columbia – News Release
Media Room –
Richmond Oval
Quiz: The Richmond Oval
Try an
Interactive Online Version of The Richmond Oval Quiz
1. The
interest in the Richmond Oval was sparked by
a)
the weather.
b)
the wooden roof of the Oval.
c)
the Oval starting to take shape.
2. The
Oval is being built for only one reason.
a)
false.
b)
true.
3. The
Oval will become a permanent __________ centre for excellence in sports and
wellness.
a)
local
b)
international
c)
local and international
4. The
Oval is __________ the Vancouver International Airport.
a)
very far from
b)
very close to
5. The
speed skating track for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will measure
________ in
length.
a)
100 m
b)
400 m
c)
300 m
6. The
Oval will offer training and competitive opportunities for ________ sports.
a)
summer
b)
summer and winter
c)
winter
d)
fall
7. The
adverb “subsequently” in “The Oval facility will subsequently become the
focus of
Richmond’s new waterfront neighbourhood” means
a)
immediately
b)
tomorrow
c)
later
8. The
design of the gigantic roof covering the Oval
a) is
common.
b)
has not been used before.
c) is
used in Europe.
9.
Richmond’s goal is to construct and operate the Oval with special
consideration for the
environment.
a)
true.
b)
false.
10. The
Oval will benefit the City of Richmond, the Province of British Columbia,
and the Canadian
Government.
a)
false.
b)
not mentioned in the reading.
c)
true.
Answers: 1)
c. 2) a. 3) c. 4) b. 5) b. 6) b. 7) c. 8) b. 9) a. 10) c.
Visit Last Week's Feature:
Winter Words
Weekly Feature Index
(Includes all 2002 to date Weekly Features with descriptions)
Visit our 