Construction has officially begun on the Richmond Oval – the speed skating venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
The 400-metre track Oval is scheduled to open in 2008 and will be home to the long track speed skating competition. The Oval will seat about 8,000 spectators and is expected to feature 12 medal events during the 2010 Games with a potential 36 medals to be awarded.
Following the Games the Oval will become British Columbia’s premier multi-purpose sports, recreation and wellness facility.
John Furlong, VANOC CEO said, “this early start to construction supports our goal of early delivery of our competition venues for the 2010 Winter Games. Each delivery means less complexity and early access for athlete training, and the opportunity to achieve podium success. It also means extra time to test and re-test venue operations well in advance of the Games”.
The Richmond Oval is part of a $620 million (Can.) investment for 2010 Winter Games venues funded equally by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia.
