A Vancouver French Area & O Zone in Richmond, BC

Vancouver 2010 Olympics Brings Culture to Granville Island, Canada

Nov 2, 2009

Holland Heineken House at Beijing, China Olympics, City of Richmond

With the creation of the O Zone in Richmond and a French quarter on Granville Island, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics will bring much fun to British Columbia.

For those who thought the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games were just about the athletes, think again. It’s about the experience, baby! And Vancouver is pulling out all the stops this February for the party of a lifetime.

In Richmond, BC, just a bridge across from Vancouver, there will be the “O Zone.” This zone is going to be major. During the winter games, 60 acres of outdoor fun (that’s over 66 football fields) will be open for 17 days.

During that time, from February 12-28, 2010, there will be live music and entertainment from bands like Bedouin Soundclash, Tokyo Police Club and Wintersleep.

“We’re creating an exciting and unforgettable experience in the O Zone,” says Richmond City Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “It is going to be fun for everyone – and it’s free!”

Parts of the O Zone will include:

The Ice Gate: created by west coast artist Gordon Halloran, this huge piece of ice art will be one of a kind.
The Ice Zone: Strap on those skates, because this outdoor rink will have free public skating and sports demonstrations.
Holland Heineken House: Undoubtedly one of the most popular places to hang, this space is reserved for nightly activities.
Main Stage: As the name implies, this is where headlining acts will be playing, as well as daily simulcasts of Olympic events.
Ice Art World Championships: Get out the carving knife. This is where ice carvers from all over the world show their stuff.
City Hall: Check out three Olympics-themed exhibits for all ages.
BCLC 2010 Winter Games Dome: Be an Olympian for a moment in this interactive and virtual world.
Cold FX Warming Tents: Just in case it gets cold (it is February), pick up free samples of Cold FX while warming up.
Club O Zone: A members-only lounge with large LCD screens, food and a cash bar.
International Living Room: At the Brighouse Branch of the Richmond Public Library, this is a little escape to check emails, surf the internet and grab a cuppa joe.

Vancouver French Quarter on Granville Island

But the party won’t just be in English; there are two official languages in Canada. On picturesque Granville Island in Vancouver, a French Quarter will be created from February 10-28, 2010, dubbed “Place de la Francophonie 2010.”

This is where street entertainment, theatre, music, comedy and a farmer’s market will meet, all in French. Paris anyone?

"The Olympic Games always evoke many passions. Place de la Francophonie will also be a meeting place for those who wish to relive the euphoria of the Games in French, support and follow the progress of their favorite athletes and even meet them, speak to them and celebrate their achievements with pride. Having participated in numerous Games, I know this is very important," says Former Olympic medallist Jean-Luc Brassard, now a board member of Place de la Francophonie.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games

For more information on the winter games, read the following related stories:

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