With February’s start of the 2010 Winter Olympics just around the corner, skate-loving Vancouver residents are now gliding, spinning and Lutz-ing their way toward the big day thanks to the reopening of Robson Square rink for the first time in nine years. Renamed GE Plaza until the end of the games, Robson, which had been without its ice since 2000 due to budget constraints, has been completely revitalized – from a bigger ice surface to GE technology providing refrigeration and lighting. The Globe and Mail, which dubs it the “rebirth of Robson Square rink,” said the partnership between GE and the Province of British Columbia “produced a bigger, better, brighter venue that won raves from those using it.”
Cool runnings: Skaters took to the ice during the grand reopening on November 23. GE Plaza will be the center of holiday activities in the heart of Vancouver prior to the Games, and home to performances and events during the competitions.
Chris Katsuleres
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Robson Square rink was upgraded — and the ice surface was expanded by about 37 percent — at a cost of $2 million, of which GE contributed $700,000. GE technologies used in the revitalization include the refrigeration plant electrical distribution system that makes the ice and energy-efficient LED lighting.
In the audio clip below, GE’s Chris Katsuleres calls in from the opening event. As he says, the idea for Robson sprang from the successful work that GE and Italian officials did revitalizing the ice plaza in Torino, Italy, during the 2006 Winter Games.
Blades of glory: The $2-million ice rink upgrade is part of the Province’s larger, $11-million upgrade to Lower Robson Square, which includes replacing the entire waterproofing membrane on the plaza level, removing and replacing the current domes with larger, more open domes with clear glass for better visibility and installing a new ceiling with GE energy efficient LED lighting.
Animal house: The 2010 Olympic mascots hit the ice during the grand reopening. Sumi, at left, is an animal guardian spirit, which according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, has the hat of an orca whale, the wings of the Thunderbird and the legs of the black bear. In the middle is Quatchi, who is described as a young, shy sasquatch, or bigfoot, who comes from the mysterious forests of Canada and dreams of becoming a world-famous goalie. At the right is Miga, a snowboarding sea bear inspired by the legends of the Pacific Northwest First Nations that describe orca whales transforming into bears when they arrive on land.
Night lights: As a worldwide sponsor of the Olympic and Paralympic Games GE works closely with host countries, cities and organizing committees to provide infrastructure solutions for Olympic venues including power, lighting, water treatment, transportation and security, and to supply hospitals with ultrasound and MRI equipment to help doctors treat athletes.
Slip-sliding away: The new ice rink is free – with skate rentals costing just $3. Robson Square will host live entertainment from now through the Games and family activities through December. Robson Square has been a central part of Vancouver’s community for over 30 years. It is the site of the Provincial Law Courts, University of British Columbia Robson Square, government offices and a public space connecting to the Vancouver Art Gallery.
* Read the announcement
* Read “High-tech in tight places: Olympics get mobile med unit” on GE Reports
* Learn more about the upcoming games
* Learn more about GE’s ongoing work with the Olympics
* Read “Olympic countdown begins: 1,000 days to London 2012” on GE Reports
We’re celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S., so we’ll see you again on Monday – hopefully after ice-skating away some of those holiday calories!
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Nice GE gift contribution for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Happy Thanksgiving celebration!
My main query is that I would like to know about the Live Entertainment at GE Ice Plaza in Vancouver.
Could I get email updates or a website to look up please ?
I am so happy Robson Square Plaza has been revitalized.
Vancouver lost a very fun area when the ice was no longer there. It is a magical place at Christmas too.
I am so looking forward to seeionmg the special lighting with snowflakes and stars projected onto the ice.
Thanks and congratulations
Haidee (Hannan)
this website rocks I like the pictures
my favourite picture is the one with kris katsuleres in it
Where and when will the Olympic skating schedule
be on the internet for television viewers? It is
very difficult to find skating schedules on line
for television.
I think the figure skating this Olympics will be the best we’ve seen in many years if Alissa Czisny and Yu Na Kim are competing for the Gold. Alissa is the best ice skater I’ve ever seen (she’s like a prima ballerina she’s so elegant) and Yu Na is a smooth professional (who practices 8 hours a day). Both these young ladies deserve the Gold. They’re incredible!
I think this is great! The kids look like they are having so much fun, and to think they have not been able to enjoy that in the past….and it’s FREE…. Thanks GE!
A supporter of kidness, Thenopeek.com
i really wish i was there
I LOVE VANCOUVER!!!