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The Paralympic Closing Ceremony in Whistler marked the end of the 2010 Winter Games. It is the end of an important chapter in Whistler’s history, one that won’t soon be forgotten. PHOTO: Anastasia Chomlack Photography
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| Index |
Ken Melamed
Question of the Day
Parking in Whistler
Get Informed
Road Closures
Did You Know?
Month at a Glance
Overheard
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Country
Medal
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Russia
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| 24 |
Germany
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Canada
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Ukraine
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United States
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Slovakia
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Austria
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| 11 |
Japan
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| 9 |
Belarus
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Italy
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| Whistler Medals Plaza to become permanent park |
Construction to begin in the spring
Hundreds of spectators and millions via the CTV broadcast watched the 2010 Winter Games come to a close at the Whistler Medals Plaza last night.
With nightly concerts and Victory Ceremonies throughout the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Whistler Medals Plaza was buzzing. But the role of the Whistler Medals Plaza has not ended.
The Whistler Medals Plaza will be converted into an outdoor park by the summer of 2011. It’s just one of more than 25 different legacies of the 2010 Winter Games.
Following the Games, the plaza will be transformed into an outdoor gathering place for residents and visitors, featuring an open grass lawn, amphitheatre seating, an expanded children’s inclusive play area with a water feature, and outdoor performance spaces.
A performance pavilion is one of many new features on the horizon. It will have a flexible roof and be large enough to allow gatherings of up to 550 people seated or 1,000 people standing.
Changes begin as soon as the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) gives the plaza back to the municipality on April 30.
Over the next year or so, a large lawn will be installed, the Olympic cauldron relocated, the playground double in size, and a series of stairs created.
The plaza will also include a Legacy Plaza, featuring Olympic and Paralympic memorabilia as well as installations to recognize the contributions of athletes, medal winners, volunteers, and partner organizations involved in Whistler’s journey to host the 2010 Winter Games. Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger who died on Feb. 12, will also be recognized.
With the Games as the catalyst for the timing and much of the funding, Whistler Medals Plaza is well on its way to becoming the public gathering and event space envisioned for this area as part of the community plan.
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| Mayor Ken Melamed reflects on 2010 Winter Games success |
Melamed said 2010 Winter Games exceeded wildest imaginations
As the first Paralympic Games to take place on Canadian soil finish, Mayor Ken Melamed said the entire 2010 Winter Games exceeded his expectations.
Melamed said all the years of planning to host the Games were well worth it.
From carrying the Paralympic Flame to handing out flowers at Whistler’s first Paralympic Victory Ceremony, Melamed said the Games were a defining moment for Whistler.
“Whistler was so fortunate to be able to host something like the Paralympics. There have been a number of special moments in the last 10 days,” Melamed said.
Highlights for Melamed included watching Canada receive its first gold meal on home soil and recognizing community partners like the Four Host First Nations at various receptions.
The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) was purposeful in articulating a strategic plan and descriptions of success and according to Melamed, the Games ‘exceeded our wildest imaginations.’
“We have been left with the sense that we can do what we set our minds to. Not just a good job but an extraordinary job,” Melamed said. “It has been an unbelievable time here in Whistler and as Canadians we allowed ourselves to feel national pride.”
Whether it was watching athletes achieve the impossible or simply taking in the vibe of Whistler Village, Melamed said ‘you had to be here to experience the magic.’
“Not a lot of people have the opportunity to attend an Olympic or Paralympic Games. It’s not the same as seeing it on television. The feeling and energy is so much stronger,” Melamed said. “We need to celebrate the success.”
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| Thank You |
It’s hard to believe but the 2010 Winter Games have come to a close.
The Resort Municipality of Whistler would like to thank all Sea to Sky residents and businesses for their support in hosting the Games. As a community, we have hosted incredible athletes, dazzling performances and ceremonies, and welcomed a variety of guests from around the world. Together we have witnessed great sport; been inspired by incredible personal stories; and been moved by the power of the human spirit.
We’d also like to recognize the many partners and organizations who have made the Games possible. The Olympic and Paralympic Games have inspired the nation, and will become an important chapter in our history. We have much to be proud of.
Thank you.
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| Did You Know? |
The 2010 Winter Games has left Whistler with more than 25 different legacies for the benefit of the community? The effects of these Games will be felt for decades to come.
Some of these legacies will provide directs benefits; others will be indirect. Some are yet to be realized, while others are already providing tangible benefits. These legacies include everything from the Whistler Athletes’ Village to international media exposure.
For example, the Whistler Athletes’ Village will be transformed post Games into a legacy resident neighbourhood for more than 800 Whistlerites. For a complete list of legaces, check out whistler2010.com.
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| Temporary Road Closures |
To support the removal of equipment and temporary structures, VANOC wishes to inform the community of adjustments to traffic patterns for vehicles and pedestrians.
Affecting Whistler Conference Centre:
Whistler Way • from just past the entrance to the Aava Hotel to the entrance to the underground parking at the Cornerstone (RBC) Building - Single lane alternating traffic - March 22nd to March 26th
Sunshine Place • Access to Sunshine Place will be controlled by traffic management personnel and be restricted to authorized deliveries to businesses or to support VANOC operations - March 22 to March 26
Hwy 99 at Whistler Way (south entrance) • Returns to right turn only March 22
Affecting Blackcomb Way
Blackcomb Way • Existing closure from, Lorimer Road to entrance to lot 3, extended to Tuesday March 23
VANOC will operate a comprehensive traffic management and control plan during the temporary restrictions and closures.
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Tuesday March 23
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Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) council meeting - Millennium Place, 5:30 p.m
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Saturday March 27
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Earth Hour - turn off your non-essential lights on at 8:30 p.m. to illuminate the issue of climate change.
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Sunday March 27
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Winter Farmers Market – Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Tuesday April 6
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Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) council meeting - Millennium Place, 5:30 p.m
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Friday April 16
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World Ski and Snowboard Festival begins and runs until Sunday, April 25.
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4,400 free day skier parking spaces available next weekend
Over 4,400 free day skier parking spaces will be open as of Saturday, March 27, 2010 as Olympic and Paralympic excitement winds down and day skier parking is re-introduced in Whistler. The Creekside Parkade, level 2, 3 and 4, re-open to the public Sunday, March 21; Lots 7 & 8 open Thursday, March 25 and Lots 4 and 5 open Saturday, March 27.
“With the phenomenal snow conditions we’re currently enjoying at Whistler Blackcomb we’re very excited about the return of just about all of our free day skier parking availability in the Village and Creekside as of March 27,” says Doug Forseth, Whistler Blackcomb’s senior vice president of operations.
In addition to the usual Day Lots, Lot 10 at the Whistler Golf Club Driving Range will remain open until April 5, bumping up the inventory of parking over the “regular” number of spaces during a winter season. Lot 10 will remain premium paid parking until March 25, and will revert to free parking from March 26 through April 5. Overflow parking in Village North, or Lot 11 will close as of March 22.
With 12.5 metres (41 feet) of snow falling this season to date, a snow base of over three metres (10.5 feet), and two months remaining in the season, there is plenty of good snow for skiing.
For more information about parking, snow and weather reports, check out whistlerblackcomb.com or whistler2010.com.
March 22 – 25
Day Lots 1, 2, 3 and 6 (free)
*NEW* Creekside P2 (partial opening), P3, P4 (free, 857 spots in total)
Driving Range Lot (paid, $10 for 12 hours; $5 after 4pm)
March 26 – 28
Day Lots 1, 2, 3 and 6 (free)
*NEW* Day lots 7 and 8 (free)
Creekside P2 (partial opening), P3, P4 (free, 857 spots in total)
Driving Range Lot (paid, $10 for 12 hours; $5 after 4pm)
*NEW* Day lots 4 and 5 (free)
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| Sea to Sky Athlete results |
Results of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games
CROSS - COUNTRY SKIING
Tyler Mosher
Birthdate: April 1,1972
10 km Classic Standing – 23rd
Men’s Relay 1x4 km + 2x5 km – 7th
1 km Sprint Classic – 21st
Men’s 20 km Free, Standing – DNF
ALPINE SKIING
Sam Danniels
Birthdate: May 31, 1986
Men’s Downhill Sitting – DNF
Giant Slalom – DNS
Super G Sitting, – DNF
Matt Hallat
Birthdate: April 13, 1984
Men’s Downhill Standing – 11th
Men’s Slalom Standing – 17th
Super G – 36th
Giant Slalom – DNS
Super Combined – DNF
Morgan Perrin
Birthdate: July 5, 1986
Men’s Downhill Standing– 15th
Men’s Giant Slalom – 20th
Men’s Super G – 35th
Lindsay Debou
ski guide for Vivaine Forest
Downhill, visually impared – GOLD
Slalom - SILVER
Giant Slalom – 4th
Super G – 4th
Super Combined - SILVER
CANADA’S GOLD MEDALS
Lauren Woolstencroft
Alpine Skiing Super-G – Standing Women’s Downhill – Standing
Giant Slalom – Standing
Super Combined – Standing
Slalom – Standing
Viviane Forest
Alpine Skiing Women’s Downhill – Visually Impaired
Brian McKeever
CC Skiing – Men’s 10 km Classic – Visually Impaired
Men’s 20 km Free
Men’s 1 km Sprint Classic
Canada earned:
10 Gold Medal
5 Silver
4 Bronze
For complete results check out vancouver2010.com
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| Overheard... |
“The promises we made long ago have been kept and the grand vision for Canada’s Games has been realized."
John Furlong, VANOC chief executive at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games
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