Vancouver and Beyond

The Whistler Sliding Centre — home to bobsleigh, luge and skeleton — and Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park — the venue for all 2010 Winter Games Nordic sports — are hosting public tours this summer.

The Whistler Sliding Centre
Beginning Thursday, July 3, The Whistler Sliding Centre on Blackcomb Mountain will be offering self-guided public walking tours Thursdays to Sundays until the end of August. Walking tours provide an opportunity for the public to learn about preparations for the 2010 Winter Games, as well as a glimpse of the venue and an understanding for the sliding sports of bobsleigh, luge and skeleton that will take place there.

High performance track

Nestled in the backyard playground of Whistler Village, the sliding track at The Whistler Sliding Centre is a new addition to the many adventure activities in the area. The track has been certified and approved by International Sport Federations for sliding training camps and Sport Events in the 2008-09 winter season. Post-Games, the facility will be operated by the Whistler Legacies Society as a centre for high performance development, youth and recreational sport programming, tourism (passenger rides and venue tours), and group and corporate events.

One of two sliding tracks in Canada, the Whistler sliding track will elevate the Canadian high-performance sport development program and increase participation specifically in the Sea to Sky corridor.

 It’s also an engineering marvel. This May, the BC Ready-Mixed Concrete Association presented the Century Award to VANOC and the project team for The Whistler Sliding Centre’s technically demanding and ultra-fast sliding track.

Fast facts: The Whistler Sliding Centre

The Whistler Sliding Centre is one of 15 international competition sliding tracks in the world and has the highest vertical drop of all (152 metres)
Track G-force is expected to reach 5.02 Gs (men’s luge)
In 2007-08, the track’s inaugural season, the highest speed reached was 147.9 kilometres per hour (four-man bobsleigh)
The track measures 1,450 metres from start to finish, with an elevation change of over 150 metres
350 tons of concrete were used to construct the track
A thin ice surface measuring between two and five centimetres is produced and maintained by hand
The track has 36 on-track cameras and 42 “timing eyes”
The track is designed to minimize refrigeration energy by using an ammonia refrigeration system. Ammonia is one of the most energy-efficient refrigerants, producing no chlorofluorocarbons (which contribute to ozone-layer depletion and global climate change)
Summer tours at The Whistler Sliding Centre
Canada Day special access on July 1, 2008

Following the Whistler Canada Day Parade, all parade participants and spectators are invited to visit: the venue is open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
A shuttle service will run from the base of Blackcomb Mountain to the venue and return
Admission is by donation
Regular tour dates

Every Thursday to Sunday from July 3 to August 31, 2008

Hours of operation

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

General admission

$5 per person
Free for children 12 years old and under
$20 for a family of more than four
Admission includes:

Wheelchair accessible, self-guided walking tour of the track lower loop and finish stadium (some pathways are steep)
A brochure map (available in English and French) marking points of interest, including venue history, sport facts, events timeline and sustainability attributes
Access to the Track Lodge showcase of sport equipment, sport history, photos, venue history and more
Admission fees go towards pre-Games operations of The Whistler Sliding Centre tour program
 For more information, visit whistlerslidingcentre.com or call 604.964.2401.

Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park 
Another tour opportunity lies just 15 kilometres south of Whistler, at Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park, the home of biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park first opened its doors to recreational and competitive skiers during the 2007-08 winter season. Anyone who has yet to cruise through the stunning Callaghan Valley on cross-country skis will have many opportunities this summer to explore the trails and recreational facilities on foot with self-guided tours, guided tours or ski jump tours.

Fast facts: Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park

For the first time in Olympic Winter Games history, all four Nordic disciplines (biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping) are occurring at the same venue
Over 13 days of Olympic competition, athletes will compete for a total 24 Olympic medals at The Whistler Sliding Centre
The venue will host 30 per cent of the Olympic medal events and 50 per cent of the Paralympic medal events
Athletes will ski an average speed of about 25 kilometres per hour during cross-country ski races, reaching maximum speeds near 60 kilometres per hour
During the men’s 50-kilometre race, athletes will climb approximately 2,000 vertical metres (more than twice the vertical of the men’s alpine downhill course at Whistler Creekside).
The only snowmaking system at the venue is used for the ski jump landing hill
Summer tours at the Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park
Dates

Self-guided walking, wheelchair accessible, car or bike tours of Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park are now available during park hours. The venue is open seven days a week. Tour dates and times will vary.

Hours of Operation

Daily, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

General Admission

Tour fees vary depending on tour choice.

Self-Guided Tour

Free, self-guided tours are available seven days a week during park hours, allowing visitors to learn more about Nordic sports by visiting the biathlon, cross-country and ski jumping stadiums. Guests will be given a map that will lead them through the venue by car or bike where they can snap a photo of the towering inukshuk or enjoy a picnic in the breathtaking Callaghan Valley. No pre-booking required.

Guided Tour

For groups of 10 or more, guided tours through the venue provide detailed information about the Nordic sports and the role of the venue during the 2010 Winter Games. Guided tours must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. Transportation during the tour is not provided.

Groups of 10 to 22 people: $150 plus GST
Groups of 23 or more: $300 plus GST
Ski Jump Tour

Available on Saturdays and Sundays only, starting July 5, 2008, the ski jump tour is a glimpse of the venue from the athlete’s perspective. This tour includes a ride on the chairlift to the top of the large hill, an opportunity to learn about ski jumping and a unique view of the beautiful Callaghan Valley. No pre-booking required.

General admission: $12 plus GST
Group rate (10 or more): $10 plus GST
Free for children 12 years of age and under
Entry for drivers/tour company guide is complimentary
Guided venue tours and ski jump tours can be combined at a 25 per cent discount.
For more information, or to book a guided tour, visit whistlerolympicpark.com or call 604.964.2455 or 1.877.764.2455.

WHISTLER, British Columbia, January 21, 2008 – On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary for Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament (Kootenay-Columbia), today celebrated with Ken Melamed, Mayor of Whistler, the city’s designation as a 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada.

“The Municipality of Whistler recognizes the role arts and culture play in improving citizens’ quality of life and improving economic development,” said Minister Verner. “The proposed activities will encourage stronger ties between cultural organizations, First Nations people, and citizens involved in the celebrations.”

“The Government of Canada is pleased to celebrate Whistler’s recognition with this prestigious award,” said Mr. Abbott. “The city’s designation as a 2009 Cultural Capital will allow those who live here to have enriching cultural experiences and will encourage visitors to visit the city. They will also get a taste of the activities which will be held in 2010 at the Live Sites and other venues where the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will take place.”

“Whistler is thrilled and honoured to be named a Cultural Capital of Canada for 2009,” said Whistler’s Mayor, Ken Melamed. “Though a young community, Whistler has enjoyed building its cultural identity. This designation and the funding for our program, Celebration 2020, strengthens the cultural aspects of our sustainability commitments. It also signifies the importance of arts, culture, and heritage in Whistler and in Canada, as we prepare to welcome the world in 2010 and beyond.”

The Cultural Capital of Canada designation is awarded for merit, as determined by the quality of a proposed project and earlier achievements by the candidate community that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture.

An independent advisory committee evaluated the candidate communities and made its recommendations to Minister Verner. The committee was composed of experts in the field of arts and culture and the mayors of the Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2007.

Funding is provided to support special projects that celebrate the arts and culture. Amounts vary according to the size of the municipality.

Municipalities with a population under 50 000, like Whistler, may be awarded up to $500,000. With this funding, Whistler will be able to launch the Celebration 2020: A Natural Step Towards Cultural Sustainability project, which will present different festivals and a number of innovative activities, including a professional-development workshop for artists in the region

The other Cultural Capitals for 2009 are Trois-Rivières, Quebec, in the greater than 125 000 population category; Coquitlam, British Columbia, in the between 50 000 and 125 000 population category; and Fredericton and Caraquet, New Brunswick, in the under 50 000 population category.

For more information on the projects proposed by the 2009 Cultural Capitals, the funding they will obtain, and the other municipalities that applied, please see the attached backgrounder.

The names of previous Cultural Capitals are posted on the Department of Canadian Heritage website at www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ccc/index_e.cfm

Information:

Domenic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and
Official Languages
819 997-7788

Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101

BACKGROUNDER

2009 CULTURAL CAPITALS

>Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Category: population over 125 000
Maximum contribution: $2,000,000

On the occasion of its 375th anniversary, Trois-Rivières is planning an ambitious program that includes a number of celebrations and cultural activities. In line with the City’s cultural policy, the project, “Trois-Rivières, ville d’histoire et de culture: 1634-2009″ (Trois-Rivières, City of History and Culture, 1634-2009), recognizes the role that culture plays in affirming identity and the quality of life of citizens, as well as in the economic development of thismunicipality. The project also maintains that access to culture is a basic right of the city’s residents. The proposed programming will foster increased resident participation through activities such as neighbourhood celebrations, a commemorative performance, and the Accès scène et musée (Access to Stage and Museum) project, which will involve a host of professional and emerging artists. Finally, the project will help to build partnerships with target groups, such as First Nations and cultural communities, in keeping with the municipality’s aim of promoting cultural inclusiveness.

Coquitlam, British Columbia

Category: population between 50 000 and 125 000
Maximum contribution: $750,000

Maintaining a long tradition of cooperation with cultural organizations, the City of Coquitlam proposed a project developed through community participation. The City has developed close ties with arts and cultural organizations and is distinguished by the support and recognition that it gives to its Francophone heritage and its diverse cultural communities. The Intercultural Celebrations: Past, Present and Future project makes use of public consultations and a partnership with the local First Nation. This project is a perfect example of the role that a municipality can play in stimulating cultural development and a feeling of belonging among all residents.

Coquitlam recognizes the important contribution of culture to community identity, quality of life, and economic development. Its cultural strategy supports community cultural groups, while integrating culture into municipal planning and development of the community, the economy, and tourism. As a Cultural Capital, Coquitlam will be able to achieve its goals: to plan and develop a vibrant culture in its community, to strengthen its partnerships with cultural groups, and to re-establish its role as a centre of cultural activity.

Whistler, British Columbia

Category: population under 50 000
Maximum contribution: $500,000

Whistler is planning a project that shows its commitment to culture and supports a wide range of arts and cultural activities. While involving First Nations, the Francophone community, and young residents, the project will also encourage professional artists, budding creators, and members of the public to participate in the scheduled celebrations, workshops, and activities.

Both ambitious and original, its project, Celebration 2020: A Natural Step Towards Cultural Sustainability, benefits from the staunch support of many parties. It is also important to highlight the integration of ecology and the environment in the project, as well as the use of non-traditional sites to hold festivals. By integrating a number of activities already in place, Whistler is providing a legacy that will benefit the community by encouraging development of the arts and culture, intercultural awareness, participation of artists with disabilities, lasting ties, and growth in tourism.

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Category: population under 50 000
Maximum contribution: $500,000

Fredericton’s cultural policy highlights the city’s three founding cultures and recognizes the role played by culture in affirming community identity, social cohesion, and economic development. In line with this policy, Fredericton is planning a wide variety of programming with no fewer than 16 different activities. Its project, Exposing Our Culture, makes use of the community’s historical features and artistic traditions and calls for the participation of various cultural partners. The public art and artists-in-residence programs and the celebratory activities will promote a greater presence for art in public areas and increased participation of residents. The proposal gives particular attention to young people, First Nations people, and Francophones.

Fredericton’s project will create a lasting legacy by fostering the community’s cultural growth and involving cultural groups. It will also encourage the participation of Francophones and First Nations people in promoting valuable exchanges.

Caraquet, New Brunswick

Category: population under 50 000
Maximum contribution: $500,000

The Town of Caraquet’s proposal is ambitious and proposes activities to attract a large audience drawn from many of the communities on the Acadian Peninsula. While stressing its Acadian heritage, Caraquet will support various forms of art, including poetry, performing and visual arts, film, and theatre. Its project, “Caraquet, ville lumière 2009″ (Caraquet, 2009 City of Light), demonstrates an impressive commitment to culture and growing financial support for the arts and cultural sector–support far above the per-resident average for communities in this category.

Caraquet has made great efforts to develop and implement policies that link economic growth and cultural tourism. These projects are a source of pride for the community and contribute to its vitality. This is the second time that Caraquet has been designated a Cultural Capital; the first was in 2003.

BACKGROUNDER

Candidate Communities for Cultural Capitals of Canada 2009

Over 125 000 population

Kitchener, Ontario
Saguenay, Quebec
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
50 000 to 125 000 population

Coquitlam, British Columbia
Guelph, Ontario
Lethbridge, Alberta
Red Deer, Alberta
Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec

Under 50 000 population

Caraquet, New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Victoria County, Nova Scotia
Whistler, British Columbia