I guess since I am technically an Olympic (and Paralympic) Games virgin, I should not be surprised about the things that I don’t know about with regards to the event. However, I still am. Everyday I learn something new! I’ve previously posted about the Canadian Olympic House, Molson Canadian Hockey House, Holland Heineken House, the Jamaican Bobsleigh House, and Russia’s Sochi 2014 House, but there will be more, way more!
Switzerland is planning two! The House of Switzerland Vancouver will be hosted in Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island, and the House of Switzerland Whistler will be hosted at the Mountain Club in Whistler! Both Houses will offer a meeting place for world leaders, athletes, Swiss fans, journalists, international visitors and local residents can gather. The House of Switzerland Vancouver will also be hosting the broadcasting facilities for Swiss television!
I think the German Olympic House (Deutsches Haus) will be at Simon Fraser University… can one of you German-fluent people check my link please and see if that is true and comment on this post? I’m afraid my German is not quite adequate to be confident that I am right. It may be that Deutsches Haus is at one of the Simon Fraser University campus buildings in downtown Vancouver, instead of the main campus in Burnaby. That would make sense…
France will host Club de France at 21 Steps in Whistler. The Pique News Magazine in Whistler is really on top of the National Olympic Committees setting up shop. They’ve posted on several of the countries I’ve already mentioned and also include: Austria “Passive House” (environmentally passive) at the entrance to Lost Lake Park, Norway House at MY Millenium Place, the German Bobsleigh Team at Nicklaus North Golf Club, PRIDE House at the Pan Pacific Hotel (I am going to post more on this House at a later date, know anyone involved that would be willing to do an interview?), the Edgewater Restaurant and Lodge apparently seems to be rented to someone (not sure whom yet), and the new Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre will have various tenants including Panasonic and Bell Canada. According to the Pique apparently Canada is also looking for a place in Whistler to set up a satellite Canadian Olympic House. Busy busy Whistler!!
Vancouver so far seems harder to sort out. And I’m afraid it’s getting late, and I have to be at work by 7am. So I will be sure to bring you further National Olympic House updates as I find them (or if you know of one – comment!).
Thank you, merci!
Article courtesy Andrea Kay - 2010 vanfan
I was walking along Davie Street today when I saw a sign that caught my eye…
Free Olympic Tattoos for medallists?!
West Coast Tattoos is offering free Olympic tattoos for Olympic medallists (don’t know about Paralympic tattoos for Paralympic Medallists). I am also unsure about their use of the logos, but then, I didn’t know that West Coast Tattoos had moved either! It was a whole bunch of surprises all at once. However, I do think it’s a pretty sweet offer. I am not a tattoo sort of girl, but I have always said that if I was involved in a huge, bigger-than-me sort of event, I would get it tattooed on me. My example was always “Say, if I went to the Olympics”. Now, I am not likely to ever get to the Olympics as an athlete. But I certainly get why you would get a tattoo if you were. So, Olympic athletes, if you want a tattoo, I’d say take them up on the offer (I have always heard good things about them). Oh, and West Coast Tattoos have moved off of Davie Street. Check the link above if you’re interested.
I also spent some time today learning about Concord Place. Real estate developer Concord Pacific has a large plot of so far undeveloped land on the north side of False Creek. They are going to be leasing out their land for Vancouver 2010 to be a “community exposition site”. Sounds intriguing. The Concord Pacific showroom will remain, but will be joined by others. So far, the released list of tenants includes Hockey Canada, the International Ice Hockey Federation, Molson Canadian Hockey House and the Government of Saskatchewan. I have previously reported on Molson Canadian Hockey House (don’t forget to sign up with them if you want to get up-to-date news and info on access!).
Schematic of Concord Place's layout on the north side of False Creek.
The Government of Saskatchewan’s area will consist of two structures, a business centre and an entertainment venue featuring Saskatchewan hospitality, entertainment and food. They’re also going to have a pavilion in Whistler for the Paralympic Games! It sounds like they’re really going to put a lot into this and I’m looking forward to getting to Concord Place and checking out the exhibitions we already know will be there, as well as the exhibitions that are going to be announced in the near future (and yes, I will be announcing them as I hear about them!).
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com