IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Stroll along the newly finished False Creek seawall, where the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver has finally taken form

By Jennifer Patterson

Thousands of athletes and officials will make this community their home starting in January 2010. Photo by KK Law

Nothing leaves a visitor as breathless as Vancouver’s natural surroundings and panoramic views. Imagine living alongside the waterfront in False Creek, looking across to picturesque downtown, all highlighted by a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. That’s exactly what over 3,000 athletes and officials will see at the start of each day as they make the Olympic and Paralympic Village their home-away-from-home during the 2010 Winter Games.
This billion-dollar project has had its ups and downs—including the recent news of being $130-million over budget—but come game time, all will be forgotten as hockey players, speed skaters and others decorate the suites with their national colours, flags and banners. Built to be sold as condos after the Games, every unit will be temporarily furnished, and each kitchen will be sealed off, since the athletes and officials will use a communal dining hall. And not only are these 18 condo buildings easy on the eyes, they are also easy on the earth, thanks to both partial solar power and an environmentally friendly heating system. What about amenities? A large drugstore, gourmet grocer and private liquor store will soon join the buildings.
The Village is easily accessible via the new Canada Line SkyTrain; hop off at the Olympic Village Station and head east.