Keeping the Flame Burning in Whistler
After years of bids, planning, paving and building when the Olympics finally arrive they are a wonderful flurry of excitement and international competition and camaraderie.
And in a quick 2 weeks, 4 weeks if you include the greatly under-popularized Paralympics, it’s all over. In Whistler it didn’t take long for each of the event locations to be shut down and locked up for tear-down and rebuilding activities. Imagine the disappointment of late winter and spring time visitors who couldn’t even find the Olympic rings in Whistler village.
The rebuilding did occur however, and now Whistler boasts 3 great Olympic legacy venues that guests can visit and keep their hearts glowing. With exciting legacies like the Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler Olympic Park and WhistlerMedalsPlaza, the Games will forever be a part of Whistler’s tapestry.
November 25th kicks off the World Cup bobsleigh and skeleton events on Whistler’s Olympic sliding centre. Nov. 25 – 27th Veissmann FIBT World Cup is the first event of a three plus year journey to the next Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. And for all you adrenaline junkies, public sliding will also be offered this season.
The Whistler Olympic Park (site of the Nordic events for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) and Callaghan Country Lodge are partnering to offer public recreational skiing on more than 90 kilometers of cross-country ski trails expertly groomed for both classic and skate skiing, and ranging from beginner to Olympic caliber.
Located in the heart of WhistlerVillage, Whistler Olympic Plaza (formerly WhistlerMedalsPlaza) is designed to be a lasting legacy for generations to come. The Games were a catalyst for this outdoor gathering place for residents and visitors, which feature an open grass lawn, a performance pavilion, outdoor performance spaces, an accessible playground and public art celebrating the 2010 Winter Games. The plaza will also include Olympic and Paralympic memorabilia, such as the Olympic cauldron and installations to recognize the contributions of athletes, medal winners, volunteers, government agencies, and partner organizations involved in Whistler’s journey to host the 2010 Winter Games. There will also be a memorial to Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. Whistler Olympic Plaza will act as a hub directing people to Games-related amenities including the WhistlerMuseum and Archives.
The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have come and gone but the spirit and energy live on in Whistler.
