It seems that one of the must-sees at the Sydney Olympics is the Moose Lodge, where Australians are lining up for more than an hour each day to learn about Canada. And it’s there that they’re finding out that Toronto is bidding for the 2008 Summer Games. Many locals said they were unaware Toronto was in the race for the Games.
Formerly the Pontoon bar at Darling Harbour, the bar has been leased to the Canadian Olympic Association for the run of the Games.
Pontoon general manager Mark Swadling said the bar has been at full capacity for the past week. “The crowds are made up of about 30 to 40 per cent Canadians, 30 to 40 per cent Australians and the rest are international visitors.”
And it’s also been a favourite hangout for Canadian athletes and many dignitiaries, including Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman, Ontario Premier Mike Harris and Prime Minister Chretien’s wife Aline, who is in Australia representing her husband.
NBC, CTV, CBC and USA Today have all done stories on the Lodge.
It’s a great attraction for photo enthusiasts who have the opportunity of snapping pictures of doormen dressed as Mounties, and those lovable moose.
But according to Pontoon night manager Bendan Willson, no IOC members have visited Moose Lodge yet.
