During the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the Richmond Olympic Oval was the focus of international attention as the host venue for long-track speedskating events, the awarding of 36 Olympic medals and the site of three Olympic speedskating records.
Since then the Oval has been transformed. Today the world-class facility on the banks of the Fraser River has become an international centre of excellence for sport, health, wellness, culture and entertainment.
The Oval also contains the Richmond Olympic Experience, North America’s first and only official Olympic museum, whose meeting and multi-purpose rooms are ideal venues for meetings, workshops and conferences, corporate team building, receptions and corporate retreats.
“Make your corporate experience an Olympic Experience,” said Paul Brar, Richmond Olympic Oval project development program manager. “This is your chance to align your brand with the world’s most recognized symbol of inspiration, motivation and performance. Think of how that would motivate your employees or impress your clients.”
“Our team event for over 90 people was a great success,” said Krista Schreiber, director of product commercialization for Lululemon Athletica Inc. “The meeting room provided plenty of space for our team events, plus the staff was attentive and professional. The sports and sport simulation equipment were huge hits, and we found ourselves being challenged and entertained.”
Each Olympic Experience meeting and conference package comes with access to the Olympic museum and the adjoining Legacy Suite, the Oval’s premier meeting space with spectacular views of the Oval’s activities.
The Richmond Olympic Oval event services team can also help with booking inspirational athletes as keynote speakers, as well as facilitating transportation and accommodation needs for out-of-town visitors.
The Olympic Experience at the Richmond Olympic Oval is an interactive and dynamic visitor experience, says Brar.
“It features interactive media, hands-on sporting simulations and displays,” he said. “All of them enable visitors to experience what it’s like to achieve a dream and become a hero to millions around the globe.”
The museum is filled with over 500 priceless artifacts from the world’s best athletic performances. Visitors will be able to see historic Olympic medals, torches and uniforms from past Olympian heroes, plus discover Olympic and Paralympic history through interactive touch-tables showing how the Games have evolved over the years.
The Olympic Experience also offers the opportunity for active and challenging events.
“Home to five world-class sport simulators – of which the bobsleigh, sit-ski and kayak simulations are the only ones in the world – and several interactive challenges – shooting, jumping and reaction timers – the Olympic Experience is unique, fun and perfect for team building,” said Brar.
Breakout activities from the Olympic Experience can also incorporate the Oval’s sport courts, ice rinks, fitness studios and climbing wall.
“With its breathtaking design, Olympic history and its post-Games legacy amenities, the Richmond Olympic Oval is regarded as one of the most successful Olympic facilities ever built,” said Brar.
Today’s world-class corporate events are also environmentally friendly, and the Olympic Experience is no exception.
The Oval has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. The environmental design includes the capture of rainwater on the roof and the recycling of waste heat energy from the refrigeration system for the ice surfaces.
Inside, the upper level consists of a fitness centre with views of the North Shore mountains and the river, and houses more than 200 pieces of equipment.
The main floor has three activity zones: the Ice Zone, with two hockey rinks with international dimensions; the Court Zone, with 10 basketball courts; and the Track Zone, with a five-lane, 200-metre (660-foot) oval running track and a five-lane, 110-metre (360-foot) sprint track.
The Track Zone also has a climbing wall, with 31 climbing routes.
“Visitors attending meetings and conferences can watch high-performance and community sporting programs from the mezzanine viewing area,” said Brar. “They will be able to watch future Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they train hard in their sports.”
