More Than Meets the Eye: Our Legacy Venue (Feb 16 newsletter)

(photo - Site Manager / Venue Engineer, Scott Groves standing in front of the Green Building Audio Tour” sign located in the visitors concourse)

The Hillcrest Vancouver Olympic Centre is much than just a curling venue for the 2010 games; it’s a both a multi-purpose sports centre and model of modern architectural sustainability.

Venue Engineer Scott Groves has been building our facilities for the past 3 years.
“I’ve been here longer than anyone else, since the very beginning” the cheerful manager explains after a routine fire evacuation drill. “It’s so great to finally see the venue coming alive.”

Contrary to the image that the makeshift blue fabric walls and grey security check points convey, the Vancouver Olympic Centre will eventually become a pristine new recreation centre for Vancouver residents. It will boast a new community centre, curling club, ice rink, library, preschool, and office space. Adjacent to the curling venue is a brand new 66,500 square foot aquatic centre complete with a fitness centre and indoor/outdoor public pools.

“The best part about these facilities is that they were built to be environmentally sustainable,” Scott explains. “From the heat exchange technology to the recycling of rain and ground water for use in flushing toilets, it’s just amazing what we have been able to do.”

The innovative design of the Vancouver Olympic Centre appears to be a green-architect’s dream. Alternative fuel refilling stations, heat capturing and transfer from ice slab cooling, recycled building content, and use of certified and sustainable wood are just a few of Hillcrest’s environmentally responsible features. The design team also included LEED accredited professionals to guide the project in the right direction.

“We haven’t just constructed a curling venue,” Scott beams with pride. “We’ve built a legacy for Vancouver residents to enjoy long after the games have gone.”

(For more information on the Vancouver Olympic Centre, check out the Parks Board website at http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/2010olympics/hillcrest.htm)