Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the City hosting celebration sites in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games?
The 2010 Winter Games experience for residents, visitors and the media goes well beyond the athletic competitions that take place within the sport venues. Over the years, Olympic Games Host Cities have come to recognize that the overall Olympic and Paralympic experience and celebration must include many activities and opportunities that attract, entertain, engage, inform and excite people of all ages throughout the Games period.
Past Olympic Games in Calgary, Sydney, Salt Lake City and Torino have all found that the character, impression and legacy of the Host City has been shaped in large part by the activities and experiences offered by a celebration site. While each site is different, the basic concept is to create large open spaces that provide opportunities for information, entertainment and the engagement of thousands of people.
Q: How much is being spent on the City’s celebration sites?
The total budget for the LiveCity Vancouver sites is $18 million. The City of Vancouver is providing $5 million in funding from the Olympic Legacy Fund (funding was approved Vancouver City Council in 2007). The Government of Canada has contributed $10 million to the LiveCity Vancouver project, with the remaining being raised through sponsorships and licensing agreements.
Q: Who are the pavilion sponsors?
We are pleased to have four top Olympic sponsors at LiveCity Yaletown – Acer, Coca-Cola, Panasonic and Samsung. Each has exciting plans for their pavilions and programs that will enhance and enliven our site. We are also pleased to host the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba at LiveCity Downtown.
Q: Who will be performing at LiveCity Vancouver?
We will post our full lineup early in the New Year. Check back regularly for new announcements and watch the programming section of the LiveCityVancouver.ca website for times and dates of performances.
Q: Will you have “stars” on stage at LiveCity Yaletown?
Our program will have a wide range of entertainment – local, national and international with a broad appeal. Our Yaletown site has a capacity of 10,000 people. Other performance opportunities associated with the Games – Opening, Closing, Nightly Medals Concerts in Vancouver have larger venues. The LiveCity team, including our Producer, Live Nation Canada Inc. is working with VANOC along with the five celebration sites throughout the Lower Mainland and Whistler to make sure that we all present the right acts in the right sized venue and that each stage has its own unique feel. At LiveCity Vancouver we will be showcasing some of the very latest in hot new talent on our waterfront stage.
Q: What happens at LiveCity Downtown?
LiveCity Downtown provides a great opportunity to meet friends at a central downtown location and take in full live sporting competitions on a large outdoor screen. While LiveCity Yaletown will show sport highlights, LiveCity Downtown is the place for full competition coverage on a large screen – all live; all day. There will also be pavilions with Olympic, Paralympic and sport highlights as well as a licensed area to enjoy local food and drink, to sit and take in the competition on the screen, cheer our teams on to gold.
Q: What happens at Vancouver House?
Vancouver House, located at LiveCity Yaletown, will showcase Vancouver’s leaders in the environment, new media, green technology and creative sector. Discover the dynamic story of Vancouver Green Capital, our city's powerful new economic development focus, as told by the innovative and creative Vancouverites who are bringing it to life.
Open to the public, Vancouver House will also play a key role in the City’s economic development strategy by hosting visitors, media and dignitaries.
Q: How do we get to the two sites?
LiveCity Yaletown at David Lam Park is right across the street from the Yaletown Station on the new Canada Line. LiveCity Downtown is across the street from the Stadium Station on the Skytrain Line. Both sites are within easy walking distance of downtown, Olympic competition and non-competition venues and major bus routes. With limited parking available in the downtown we are strongly encouraging people to walk, take transit or ride their bikes (we will have bike parking available nearby).
Q: What is the timeline of events?
The timeline for planning and producing LiveCity Vancouver is as follows:
- October 2009 Site preparation (LiveCity Yaletown)
- November 2009 Site preparation (LiveCity Downtown)
- December 2009 Construction of site support infrastructure begins
- February 11, 2010 Torch Relay arrives at LiveCity Yaletown
- February 12–28, 2010 Open daily at LiveCity Yaletown
- February 13–28, 2010 Open daily at LiveCity Downtown
- Early March 2010 Paralympic Games preparations (LiveCity Downtown) Site restoration David Lam Park (LiveCity Yaletown)
- March 12–14 and 18-21, 2010 Hours of operation at LiveCity Downtown
- May 2010 LiveCity Downtown site returned to parking use
- June 2010 David Lam Park field reopens for public use
Q: How long will David Lam Park be closed?
We began site work at David Lam Park in early October. Construction of pavilions and stage infrastructure will start early in January and will be completed by February 10. Following the Olympic Games on February 28, we will begin work to return the site to park by resodding and restoring the field and the park will be back to regular public use by June 2010.
Q: Who is providing security at the sites?
Each site will have its own security staff, and all deliveries, supplies and shipping in and out of the sites will need to meet rigorous security protocols. Outside the celebration sites, the Vancouver Police Department will be working in coordination with the Vancouver Integrated Security Unit (VISU) partners for the 2010 Winter Games to maintain civic order on neighbourhood streets.
Q: Will there be athletes or celebrities on site?
Because both LiveCity Vancouver sites are open to everyone, there is a good possibility that you will see athletes or celebrities enjoying the City celebrations. Just remember to treat all our national and international athletes and celebrities with respect, and to show them our Vancouver hospitality.
Q: Will alcohol be allowed on these sites?
LiveCity Yaletown is a family-focused, alcohol-free site. LiveCity Downtown will have a licensed venue with food and beverages available for purchase. Alcoholic beverages will not be permitted to be brought onto either site. There may be private hosting in some of the sponsor and partner pavilions on both sites, including Vancouver House.
Q: Will there be restrictions on what can be brought to the sites?
Policies and procedures will be similar to Olympic competition venues. Food and beverages will be sold on site so there is no need to bring your own. Coolers, luggage, megaphones, alcohol and metal containers will not be permitted. Chairs and other large objects will not be permitted on site due to security and public safety issues, along with space constraints.
Q: Will I be allowed to take photos or videos at LiveCity Vancouver?
Yes. Amateur photography and videography will be allowed on site. In fact, we encourage you to share your photos and videos with us! Click on “LiveCity Photos” and “LiveCity Videos” on the homepage to upload your LiveCity experiences. You could be chosen as our Photo of the Day!
Any media who wish to attend the event will need to register with the LiveCity Vancouver media coordinator. See our media section for contact info.
Q: Will the sites be wheelchair accessible?
Both sites will have wheelchair access. Wheelchairs will still need to pass through security screening.
Q. Are there Automated Teller Machines (ATM’s) on site?
There are no ATM’s at either LiveCity Yaletown or LiveCity Downtown. Merchandise, food and beverage purchases can be made in cash or VISA only. Please note that debit cards will not be accepted as a form of payment.
Q. What if I get there and the site is full to capacity?
There may be times when more people want to attend than the site can safely hold. We will manage line-ups to let people into the site over time as people move on to the other exciting activities in the downtown core. We’ll also offer street entertainment to make line-ups part of the fun LiveCity experience.
Q. Are there any giveaways at LiveCity Vancouver?
Visit the LiveCity Vancouver Facebook page leading up to the Games for your chance to win an exclusive prize pack!
The first 1000 people through the main gates of LiveCity Yaletown after 4:30 p.m. on February 12 will receive a FREE pair of the incredibly popular Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens! Then, every day of the Games, we will be awarding a pair of Games tickets to lucky winners on both sites. Come down to LiveCity Vancouver to win!