Construction Update: Whistler venues taking shape

Some of the most visible signs of the approaching 2010 Winter Games are at the construction sites. This summer, two of the new venues in Whistler – the Sliding Centre and the Nordic venue – are in active construction mode, and the site of the skiing competitions is currently being upgraded.

“The construction in Whistler is going exceeding well,” said Dan Doyle, Executive Vice President of Construction for VANOC. “In particular, the two major construction projects of the Sliding Centre and the Nordic venue have made excellent progress over the last few months, and we expect to finish on-time and on-budget.”

“These projects aren’t just about concrete and steel,” Doyle continued. “They’re about ensuring that the 2010 Winter Games leave a legacy of sport and recreation in Whistler.”

Much of the construction for the Whistler venues officially began last year with site preparation, but active construction didn’t begin in earnest until this year. This is a pivotal time for venue construction, as many of the venues are scheduled to begin hosting athletes for training and test events in the two years prior to 2010.

“Our success is dependent on the hard work and commitment of our staff, our contractors and our construction crews,” said Doyle. “All three are doing an outstanding job.”

All of the venues for the 2010 Winter Games are being funded in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia.

 

Overlooking Whistler Village, the Sliding Centre will host the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events in 2010.

Halfway through the summer, over 40% of the 350 track footings are already in place. Construction continues on several support structures at the Sliding Centre, including the control tower, refrigeration plant, and administration buildings.

The Sliding Centre is on track to be finished in the summer of 2007, allowing for two full seasons of athlete training prior to the Games. The course has been designed to create a fast but safe run, with speeds of up to 140 kilometres per hour. Of the 16 corners that the athletes will have to navigate, several turns will have a pull of up to 5 Gs in force.

Following the 2010 Winter Games, the Sliding Centre will be used both for athlete training and for recreational purposes, with different start-points for each.

 

Located in the scenic Callaghan Valley, 14 kilometres from Whistler Village, the Nordic venue will be home to the cross country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping, and Nordic combined events in 2010.

In addition to continuing construction on the day lodge and other support buildings, this summer has seen the ski jump landing sites cleared and graded. Construction has also begun on the ski jump structures, which should have their foundations complete by the end of the summer.

Competition trails for both cross country skiing and biathlon are currently being cleared and graded, and will be finished this year. 14 kilometres of competition trails and 8 kilometres of training trails will be used for the 2010 Winter Games.

Following the Games, the Nordic venue will become a high-performance training centre and offer excellent recreational opportunities.

 

After receiving environmental approvals in June, work started this month on course improvements to the downhill runs on Whistler Mountain that will be used for alpine skiing events in 2010.

Course contouring and shaping is taking place in five locations on the ski hill, and work is underway to upgrade the snowmaking infrastructure.

 

Watch for an update on Vancouver venues later this fall.