Naturally wood — those gorgeous Games venues and facilities
Today is British Columbia’s Forestry Day at the 2010 Olympic Games.
B.C. takes great pride in its forests and is eager to share their Olympic spirit with the rest of the world.
Using B.C. wood in Olympic venues and key public facilities is just one way of being involved in this momentous world gathering.
By promoting a culture that sees wood as the preferred choice for all construction, interior design and daily living, British Columbia can strengthen our forest-dependent communities and help fight climate change.
Have a look at this short flickr slideshow of some the venues using B.C. wood and innovative design.
Read about B.C. wood in 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games on this website.
Did you know?
• Those beautiful podiums you see at the venues following competitions and at the Victory Ceremonies held in BC Place are all made-in-B.C. products from all over our province.
• There are 23 podiums in all.
• Each was built from one of 18 different wood types.
• The wood was harvested and donated by communities, First Nations, companies and individuals from across British Columbia.
B.C.'s forest communities are very proud of their highly visible contributions to these magnificent sporting competitions.
You can read more about these podiums on this special site. There's a series of 24 profiles about the 2010 podiums you'll enjoy reading.
Legacies... and showpieces
As you are taking in the competitions and the entertainment in Whistler, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver and parts in between, ask British Columbians what their homes are made of. There's a really good reason so many of us answer "wood."
And B.C. has been successfully selling its wood and innovative forest-products know-how to other markets and countries for years. There's a good reason for that, too. Just ask us.
Be sure to watch the slideshow. The rich tones of the B.C. wood and the creative design used in these venues is almost as breathtaking as the world-class athletics taking place before your eyes.
Truly, a legacy of sporting venues for athletes and the public to enjoy for years to come — but also something we've created with our own hands, from our own forests, that British Columbians have been proud to showcase to the world watching us now.
The Richmond Oval, site of long track speed skating, is easily transformed into a multi-purpose community sports and event complex after the 2010 Games. The roof of this award-winning facility was constructed using wood affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation in B.C. The Oval was also designed to qualify for LEED Silver certification, through some innovative eco-friendly initiatives.
