District of Squamish partners with VANOC to stage successful 2010 Games; sport legacy trust fund created to recognize community’s support, time and resources

Squamish, BC – The District of Squamish and the Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) are partnering to ensure successful Winter Games in 2010 through cooperation and support on services and operational requirements for the Games. In recognition for the support and as an enduring legacy of the 2010 Winter Games, the District of Squamish and VANOC have created a $750,000 trust fund in support of community sport and recreation facilities in the district. Squamish mayor Greg Gardner and VANOC’s Dan Doyle, executive vice president of construction, made the announcement today at the Squamish Rocks 2010 community celebration at the Squamish Adventure Centre.

“We’re thrilled VANOC is recognizing the citizens of Squamish and the important role we’re committed to playing in the lead up to and during the 2010 Winter Games,” said Gardner. “The $750,000 Squamish sport legacy trust, which will be disbursed by the district, will be a great legacy of the Games—one that can be used to provide opportunities for youngsters and adults alike in our district to play together and lead active, healthy lives.”

Squamish is ideally located between Vancouver and Whistler to provide important services and to benefit from the 2010 Winter Games. The District of Squamish played a key role in the successful staging of numerous sport events at Games venues over the past winter season. Since January 2006, more than 80 businesses in Squamish have received contracts from VANOC totalling $15.6 million overall. These businesses include accommodation, construction, food and beverage, entertainment and service providers. Leading up to and during Games time, Squamish will continue to be a key accommodation hub for VANOC, its partners and service providers, including housing as many as 600 out-of-town Games-time volunteers in local homes through the Homestay Volunteer Program. The District is also working with VANOC to find areas suitable for parking space and support for shore operations should cruise ships be used for accommodation.

“Squamish is a critical community to the staging of the Games. This partnership solidifies our commitment to work closely with Squamish to ensure the Games are of benefit to the community and that residents and businesses can make a real contribution to the Games’ success,” said Dan Doyle. “The Squamish sport legacy trust recognizes the past, current and future support, time and resources that Squamish is providing to us in the Sea to Sky region. This year, hundreds of Squamish residents have volunteered their time in hosting international sport events at Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park and other venues, gaining crucial experience and knowledge that will make them extremely valuable members of our team when we host the Games in just eight months time. Also, dozens more residents are opening their homes to take in volunteers from across Canada and around the world so they can be close to the venues they’ll be working at in 2010.”

“The Sport Legacy Trust Fund is also an investment in the future health of this community and an opportunity to build on its growing reputation as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada,” he concluded.

About the District of Squamish

Squamish is a vibrant seaside community located in the Coast Mountain Range of British Columbia, at the head of Howe Sound. Home to over 14,949 people, Squamish is a young town with 60 per cent of the population under the age of 40. Squamish offers a high-quality lifestyle, entrepreneurial opportunities, two universities and a community that prides itself as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada.”

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Please visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

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