News1130’s Guide to 2010 Olympic Houses and Pavilions

Aboriginal Pavilion/Four Host First Nations

Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza at Georgia and Hamilton

Music icon Buffy Sainte-Marie will kick off the nightly performance series with an intimate concert following the Opening Ceremonies on  February 12th. The Chiefs’ House will feature over two dozen traditional and contemporary artists during Olympic Winter Games. The program includes Team Rezofficial, Kinnie Starr and the Métis Fiddler Quartet as well as traditional drummers and singers from the Four Host First Nations.  The Longhouse, featuring a Trading Post, will be a permanent legacy of the Games. All performances at the Pavilion are free to the public, with admission on a first come, first served basis.
Nightly shows begin at 9:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Alberta House

Robson and Beatty near B.C. Place

Alberta House will host business-to-business activities for industry, dignitaries, athletes and media to learn more about Alberta’s economic and tourism opportunities. Alberta Plaza, in front of Alberta House will feature information about living, working, playing and investing in Alberta.  Every evening the plaza will offer free performances featuring 40 of Alberta’s established and emerging musicians and artists.  The plaza will also showcase Alberta’s diverse cuisine with food and beverage sales.  From February 12 – 28th, open from 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 p.m. daily.

 There is also the Alberta Train leaving from the Rocky Mountaineer Station at False Creek Flats.  Few details are available, but we are hearing this will be a “pavilion on wheels”, with six Gold Leaf cars will shuttling people to Whistler and back. 

Atlantic Canada House

Granville Island at the Arts Club Theatre

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador along with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency are pleased to present Atlantic Canada House from February 13 to 28, 2010.  Within the pavilion space, you’ll find the Granville Island Stage, the Revue Stage and the Backstage Lounge. Atlantic Canadian artists will be featured nightly, and daily performances on the Revue Stage will celebrate the region and welcome guests to the Atlantic Canadian way of life.  A Taste of Atlantic Canada will be showcasing the very best of Atlantic seafood and agricultural products in menus that are largely pan-Atlantic; however, each Atlantic Province will showcase their specialty products on specific days.

B.C. Showcase

Robson Square

According to the official website, components at the pavilion will be made by businesses located around the province, including recycled glass tiling, innovative low energy light fixtures, natural flooring and furniture. Original hand-carved cedar doors used at the B.C.-Canada House at the 2006 Torino Winter Games. Also, the B.C. Explorer interactive fly-through experience and BC Stories kiosk. The Digital Gateway: A walk-through experience featuring interactive animated artwork of B.C. industry. And finally, something everyone is talking about, a “zip-line” from the south edge of Robson Square to the Art Gallery.

B.C. Hydro Powersmart Village

Dunsmuir between Homer and Hamilton

The Power Smart Village promises to be the unofficial sustainability hub of the Games. The Village will feature a sustainable dance floor that generates electricity as people dance, a home of the future that showcases the newest innovations in conservation and an energy-efficient outdoor theatre.  The Village will be one of the few celebration sites that will remain open during the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. A section of the village will be devoted to showcasing Canada’s greatest Paralympic moments and the technology used by the athletes. Also featured will be two 18-foot traditional Salish welcome figures carved by Salish carver George Hemeon in honour of the Games.

Bell Ice Cube

Robson and Beatty

The Bell Ice Cube will be a space where visitors can watch Olympic events live in HD, cheer on Team Canada, listen to live music and meet some of world’s best athletes, all under one roof.  Every day at 3:00 p.m., there will be a live show called Ice Talk, where Olympians will be interviewed by five-time Olympian and Bell Champion Charmaine Crooks.  Athletes will share their own Olympic stories and sign autographs for Games fans.  Open February 11th to 28th from 11a.m. to 11p.m.

Canada Pavilion

Georgia and Cambie

This pavilion will give Canadian fans a place to meet our athletes, show their support and have a chance to get some autographs.  Centrally located at Vancouver’s LiveCity Downtown Celebration Site, the Pavilion will demonstrate Canada’s commitment to creative excellence, sustainable development and fostering diversity with informative and innovative content that is sure to make Canadian’s proud.  The pavilion will open on Saturday, Feb 13th. Hours of operation are February 13-27, 2010: 11:00 a.m. to midnight. February 28, 2010: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. March 12-14, 2010: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. March 18-21, 2010: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Canada’s Northern House

West Hastings and Seymour

Canada’s Northern House brings all the richness and diversity of Canada’s three Northern territories under one roof during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Anything you want to know about visiting, living or investing in Canada’s North can be found at Canada’s Northern House in downtown Vancouver.  Meet northern performers and artists, buy handmade crafts, and watch demonstrations of traditional Arctic games throughout the 2010 Olympic Games.  Visitors also have the chance to win an $8,000 diamond or a 3.8 ounce gold nugget valued at $7,000.  Daily hours during the Games will be 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Before and after the 2010 Olympic Games, Canada’s Northern House will be open from 10:00 a.m. –  5:00 p.m.

Casa Italia

Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown

The home of CPR Engine 374 will be transformed into Little Italy for the Olympics. Food, drink and plenty of entertainment, right next to LiveCity Yaletown.  Casa Italia will be open daily between Feb 6 – 28th from noon until 6:00 p.m.

CentrePlace Manitoba

Georgia and Cambie

CentrePlace Manitoba is a pre-fabricated, sustainable building featuring Manitoba products and technology. Multi-media exhibits, developed in Manitoba, will showcase tourism, business, immigration and sport and highlight the province’s prosperity, opportunity and potential. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be a partner and have a feature exhibit in the pavilion. Lighting design on the building’s exterior will showcase images of shimmering northern lights, majestic polar bears and herds of bison.

French Quarter

Granville Island

Place de la Francophonie 2010 will exude all the Latin flavours of a French Quarter during the Games.  It’ll offer visitors a cornucopia of free activities including shows featuring Canadian and international performers, a sports pub, an agritourism pavilion, exhibition venues and many others activities. More than just a meeting spot, visitors to Place de la Francophonie will delight in the ongoing festive atmosphere while discovering the cultural and artistic wealth of the country. Daily hours during the Games will be 11:00 a.m to midnight.

GE Plaza

Robson Square

GE and the provincial government teamed up to bring free skating back to downtown Vancouver. Hot chocolate, easy access and skate rentals for $3.00. Rink open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Kids will love the “orca” ice machine.

German Saxony House

Vancouver Rowing Club in Stanley Park

Seawall users may be a little shocked to hear oom pa pa music blaring from the historic structure on Coal Harbour during the Games.  A large video screen in Saxony House will allow you to watch all the athletic competitions live. Additionally, you may engage in conversations with invited athletes, journalists, coaches, and politicians or listen to entertaining interviews taking place on our Olympic stage in the Harbour Room.  In addition, try some typical Saxon food specialties as well as the region’s traditional beer.  Saxony House is open Feb 12th – 28th, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Holland Heineken House

7551 Minoru Gate in Richmond

Holland Heineken House Vancouver 2010 will be situated at Minoru Arena in Richmond.  For the 10th time the Holland Heineken House will be open to all Dutch athletes, their families, friends and supporters, sponsors, VIP’s and media representatives during the Olympics.  In the past, the Holland Heineken House has been widely regarded as the ‘hottest place in town’ during Olympic competition. Food is combined – of course – with a fresh and cold Heineken draught beer.  Also, 400 bikes will be free to use for guests.  Minoru Arena is only a 5-minute walk from the Richmond-Brighouse Canada Line Station and a short walk from the Richmond Olympic Oval. Open daily from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m.

House of Switzerland

Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island

Sample cheeses of Switzerland, a chocolate Inukshuck, Swiss giveaways and goodies. Celebrate with Swiss Athletes everytime they win a medal. Win Swiss gift baskets, Lindt chocolate gift baskets and gift certificates, Zimtstern snowboard clothes and accessories, baskets of gift certificates, luxury Nespresso coffee machines, raclette and fondue sets and more!  Musicians from St. Moritz, Switzerland will play daily. Children can meet Globi, the Mickey Mouse of Switzerland. House of Switzerland is open Feb 5th – Feb 28th. Hours of operation starting on Feb 12th will be 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. each day.

Irish House

Granville and Nelson

The Irish House at Doolin’s Irish Pub will feature family-friendly entertainment with music and cultural exhibits. Multiple televisions and projection screens will run highlights of the Games. In the evenings, the true Irish pub culture will come to life, and visitors will experience a party where it will feel like every day is a St. Patrick’s Day party. 104.9 fun FM’s Red Robinson will be one of the guest MCs. Open from noon to 3 a.m. daily from Feb 8 to 28th.

Finland House

Beatty near Georgia

Stay tuned for details.

German Fan Fest

555 West Cordova near Steamworks

German Fan Fest is a cooperation between the Thuringian sports association and the German Olympic sports association  in Vancouver. There’ll be good music and good sausages in an Olympic athmosphere.
 Feb 11-28th 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. live music from the Thuringian band “Acoustica.” 

German House

SFU Harbour Centre – West Hastings near Seymour

Stay tuned for details.

Korea House

Hyatt Regency Hotel on Burrard near Georgia

Interactive displays, artists and dancers will be featured – all on the second floor of the Hyatt. Open February 13th through Feb 28th.

Ontario Pavilion

Concord Lands At Northeast False Creek

They’re expecting 75,000 visitors daily at this $9 million dollar pavilion on the former Expo 86 site. There are reports a 4-D theatre is being built similar to the one at the Vancouver Aquarium where viewers not only see what’s happening on screen, but also feel and smell all the action on-screen. Special guests include golfer Mike Weir.

Quebec House/Maison Quebec

Concord Lands At Northeast False Creek

$5 million dollars is being spent by the Quebec government on its pavilion right next to Hockey House. Visitors will take a virtual trip to La Belle Province in a cool projection dome.

Pan Pacific Pavilion/Aboriginal Village

Canada Place

From February 12-28, the lobby of the hotel will be transformed into an Aboriginal village called Kla-how-ya, a word recognized by Aboriginal Nations meaning “welcome”. During the 16-day showcase, Kla-how-ya will feature traditional dancing, cedar bark weaving, Aboriginal fashions, birch bark chewing, moose hide tufting, jewelry making, carving, storytelling and an opportunity to explore the harvesting of wild herbs for traditional medicines.

Pride House

Score Bar – Davie near Bute

Both Vancouver and Whistler will have a Pride House for gay athletes and friends during the Olympics.  Festitivies are being produced by Qmunity (formerly The Centre).  Expected opening Feb 10th.

Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion

Granville at Pender

Get an up-close view of the medals for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. See the Mint’s world-famous million-dollar gold coin, learn how coins are made and participate in children’s activities. Collect all Vancouver 2010 circulation coins to complete your collection and purchase unique Vancouver 2010 souvenirs. Here’s a tip – mention “Mint.ca” at the store and receive 10% off all purchases. Open Feb 12 to 28, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Russian Tall Ship

Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver

The Kruzenshtern is an historic Russian four masted tall ship built in 1926 in Germany. In 1946, the vessel was given to the USSR as part of war reparations. The ship will be here on Feb 10th or 12th as part of the promotion for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, and will be open to public and private tours.

Saskatchewan Pavilion

Concord Lands At Northeast False Creek

The pavilion is composed of two structures – one for entertainment, the other for business. The pavilion will be near Hockey House so expect high pedestrian traffic. Images of Saskatchewan will be projected on a dome.

Scandanavia House

The Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby

Free daily programs, special guest visits and seminar speakers including former athletes. Several big screen TVs have been installed to televise local programming events as well as European real-time streaming broadcasts provided by Finnish broadcaster YLE.  A hall and fireside lounge have been turned into an outdoor winter village to create a winter sports-like atmosphere.  Open Feb 12-28 9:00 a.m to 12:00 a.m.

Slovak Representative House

Vancouver International Film Centre at Seymour near Davie

Meet athletes and remember the traditional taste of Slovakia. Enjoy culinary specialties in the form of a hot and cold buffet with a wide variety of special Slovak cheeses, draught beer and great selection of exceptional wines, accompanied by the traditional folk music. Also, there will be a selection of Slovak cultural events including musical and theatrical performances as well as presentations of Slovak feature films and film documentaries.  Some paid admission, some free events. Open Feb 12-28 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Sochi House (Russia)

Science World

According to the Sochi House/World website, they’ll introduce guests to Russia in its role as a leading sports power, as well as to the city of Sochi –  modern, hospitable and open to the world. You’ll get a taste of the region’s cultural program, legendary Russian cuisine and performances by famous Russian and Canadian artists.  Also featured is a Table Hockey Tournament and autograph signings and photo sessions with stars of Russian and Soviet hockey.  In the Omnimax theater, guests will be able to watch sports-themed domestic films and cartoons including masterpieces of Russian cinema (with English subtitles).  Open Feb 11-28, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm.

USA House

Seymour and Nelson and Whistler

Expect appearances from Stephen Colbert and former athletes. According to an article in the Sports Business Journal, USA House in Vancouver will take three floors in an apartment building.  The first floor will feature a registration area, a Team USA store and a media work area. The second and third floors will feature open spaces where visitors can watch events and where USOC staff offices will be located. Only the store is expected to open to the public. It will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Ukraine House

Ukrainian Catholic Church – 3150 Ash St, Vancouver

Admission is free to experience a bit of Ukraine in Vancouver. Enjoy homemade Ukrainian dishes such as Pyrohy, Holubtsi, Kovbassa chips at reasonable prices throughout the day. Taste Ukrainian Obolon beer, Khortytsia horilka, and other drinks while watching events on large screen TV. Listen to foot-tapping music by entertainers from Ukraine and across Canada. Open Feb 12-28. 

 

Vancouver House

LiveCity Yaletown

The City’s home during the 2010 Winter Games, Vancouver House is designed to tell the story of Vancouver’s new business brand ‘Vancouver Green Capital’. Visitors will understand the meaning of Vancouver Green Capital and meet the people from all walks of life and all areas of business who bring it to life. They will understand that Vancouver Green Capital is a logical extension of Vancouver’s past successes, a meaningful and authentic position for the city given both its geographic nature and its human nature. People will leave Vancouver House understanding why Vancouver is a magnet for sophisticated human capital and why it is an idea capital where people are thinking, planning and bringing to life the economic future of the city.

 

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