Here we go again in Vancouver

[Scrambler]

Well, VANOC is having another countdown celebration to the 2010 Olympics, this time for the Paralympics. This is taking place at City Hall this time and it has been promised by the Anti-Poverty Group are going to wreak havoc upon the celebration.

They'll actually be providing free transportation from Pidgeon Park in the Downtown Eastside to those who want to help raise hell. A few days ago another anti-Olympics group ripped down the Olympic Flag hanging at City Hall, causing about $2500 in damage. They'll be raising a new flag tonight.

I think that unfortunately going to become a situation that is similar to the debate we had back in February: http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ht=turns+nasty I said a lot of nasty things in that thread towards the protesters. Reading over the posts I regret some of the comments.

However I do find it very unfortunate that we're going to face the same thing again it seems. They now have a 24 hour security force guarding the Olympic Countdown clock after that incident. Such a waste of money.

I would support a peaceful protest tonight, but that is likely not going to happen.

[Monkey_Fracas]

I think the anti-poverty group protested the Olympic clock and a native rights group stole the Olympic flag. Tough to gain sympatizers by raising hell at the Paralympic celebration...

[MelBridgeman]

lol wait until the games get underway....Prob the biggest waste of money ever, especially considering if you going to have it western canada, bring it back to a city that already has the venues, that may just need upgrades...Now there were be empty facilaties in Vancouver that no one will train at thanks to the alttitude.
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[Monkey_Fracas]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

lol wait until the games get underway....Prob they biggest waste of money ever, especially considering if you going to have it western canada, bring it back to a city that already has the venues, that may just need upgrades...Now there were be empty facilaties in Vancouver that no one will train at thanks to the alttitude.

Which ones in particular?

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Fracas

Which ones in particular?

Good question with no good answer yet!

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Good question with no good answer yet!

Whats the question, which venues?

Lets put it this way, almost 90% of winter athletes come to Calgary to train - speed skating, Luge, Bobsled, ski jumping etc..what ever venues you should be building for those events..
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[Banned Flames Fan in Van]

I hate people that already are dismissing these games.

As for not having the games in Western Canada... what a load of crap! Where else are you going to have downhill skiing, snowboarding etc? Toronna? Halifax? There's these things called "mountains" that pretty much limit the games to anywhere else in the country, at least the Winter games.

I'm supporting these games because I think Vancouver is the best city in the world. There's a reason why Toronto lost the bid for 2008 and why Vancouver got it for 2010, and it isn't because Toronto is the center of the universe... I don't think these protests will have much affect on people coming for the games, and as long as they don't allow Avril Lavigne to perform, the games should be pretty decent.

[fanforever1986]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Whats the question, which venues?

Lets put it this way, almost 90% of winter athletes come to Calgary to train - speed skating, Luge, Bobsled, ski jumping etc..what ever venues you should be building for those events..

The COP ski jumps are a disaster...
The Bob Sleigh track is too fast and too short.

[Banned Flames Fan in Van]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Whats the question, which venues?

Lets put it this way, almost 90% of winter athletes come to Calgary to train - speed skating, Luge, Bobsled, ski jumping etc..what ever venues you should be building for those events..

Give it up! It's not 1988 anymore. What's the name of that uncle in Napoleon Dynamite? That's you!

If you'ld bother to visit COP you would know that if the games were to happen in Calgary again, they would need to rebuild everything anyway. The ski-jump heights aren't even used anymore. I would rather have athletes training at state of the art venues than places that are over 2 decades old.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Banned Flames Fan in Van

I hate people that already are dismissing these games.

As for not having the games in Western Canada... what a load of crap! Where else are you going to have downhill skiing, snowboarding etc? Toronna? Halifax? There's these things called "mountains" that pretty much limit the games to anywhere else in the country, at least the Winter games.

I'm supporting these games because I think Vancouver is the best city in the world. There's a reason why Toronto lost the bid for 2008 and why Vancouver got it for 2010, and it isn't because Toronto is the center of the universe... I don't think these protests will have much affect on people coming for the games, and as long as they don't allow Avril Lavigne to perform, the games should be pretty decent.

You need to travel more, as far as the games in Eastern Canada - the two canadian cities in the running were Quebec City and Vancouver -

Yes they have ski hills and mountains in Quebec, i for one have been there
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[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Whats the question, which venues?

Lets put it this way, almost 90% of winter athletes come to Calgary to train - speed skating, Luge, Bobsled, ski jumping etc..what ever venues you should be building for those events..

It has been known though that many venues from '88 are unfortunately obsolete (especially the Ski Jumps). It's also been made clear from Canadian Sports Societies that there needs to be more venues built in the country (ie: Vancouver) so that athlete's from across the country can be developed.

[Scrambler]

Anyway, I'm outta here so I can head up to City Hall to attend. Peace.

[MelBridgeman]

like i said, you have all the venues in place - so you may have to rebuild some, big deal, still a huge waste of money.
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[Banned Flames Fan in Van]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

You need to travel more, as far as the games in Eastern Canada - the two canadian cities in the running were Quebec City and Vancouver -

Yes they have ski hills and mountains in Quebec, i for one have been there

If you're comparing the HILLS in Quebec to the Rockies... wow, I think this conversation is over.

[Banned Flames Fan in Van]

Scrambler, how do I get there from UBC?

Anyone?

City Hall... That's right across the Cambie Bridge from downtown right?

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Banned Flames Fan in Van

If you're comparing the HILLS in Quebec to the Rockies... wow, I think this conversation is over.

The Rockies are far away from Vancouver, like i said time to do some travelling
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[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

It has been known though that many venues from '88 are unfortunately obsolete (especially the Ski Jumps). It's also been made clear from Canadian Sports Societies that there needs to be more venues built in the country (ie: Vancouver) so that athlete's from across the country can be developed.

Yes so why not have them in Eastern Canada, were most athletes come from, no speed skater given the choice is going to train at sea level over a higher elevation, just doesnt make sense, in fact atheletes from all over the world come to calgary to take advantage of that...
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[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by Banned Flames Fan in Van

Scrambler, how do I get there from UBC?

Anyone?

City Hall... That's right across the Cambie Bridge from downtown right?

Hey, likely a little too late , City Hall sits on top of W 12th St in Mt Pleasant. From UBC you would go righ up Broadway till Cambie and then south there. That's where they're building the RAV Line too though so unless you're walking or biking there it can be tough.

Not too bad tonight, the cops actually did a very good job keeping it in control, ie only letting supporters come anywhere near the stage. Just noise and shouting from the protestors, no violence. Much better then what happened at the Art Gallery, but I guess they were just more prepared this time.

I still don't fully understand there point though. How would have not getting the Olympics improved their lives? I understand that a lot of money is going into it, but had South Korea won the bid, would have that money been used to build affordable in the Downtown Eastside or anywhere else for that matter, I don't think so.

The thing is, if they built affordable housing, the only thing that would bring is even more low income persons, drug addicts and the like. Affordable housing needs to be available everywhere to avoid that and I just don't how that is possible. I'm afraid that's a cycle to which there is no end.

I wish I had a solution, but I'm afraid I don't. I love this city and I hope there is something (nothing short of a miracle) to improve the situation that is the biggest blemish to this great city.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Hey, likely a little too late , City Hall sits on top of W 12th St in Mt Pleasant. From UBC you would go righ up Broadway till Cambie and then North there. That's where they're building the RAV Line too though so unless you're walking or biking there it can be tough.

.

That would be south. 12th is south of broadway. If you're heading from UBC, you would get off around Cambie, hang a right(south) and go up to 12th and you can't miss it.

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Yes so why not have them in Eastern Canada, were most athletes come from, no speed skater given the choice is going to train at sea level over a higher elevation, just doesnt make sense, in fact atheletes from all over the world come to calgary to take advantage of that...

I'm afraid there is no 'mountain' east of the Rockies high enough to meet IOC standards. There needs to be at least 1000ft elevation from top to base for an Olympic ski event. That's the biggest issue against any city in Eastern Canada or USA from hosting winter games ever again.

Standards have changed greatly since Lake Placid.