The Celebrate 2010 program is an initiative that was developed to implement a bid commitment to provide tickets to community members who may not have the financial resources to purchases tickets. These tickets are free to recipients and include access to public transit for the day of the event.
Non-profit housing providers and shelters are being asked to determine their ticketing needs and a lottery drawing will take place before Christmas to determine the distribution of the tickets. Recognizing that the clients served by many non-profits require support staff, tickets will be provided to ensure adequate supports will be in place to make the experience a positive one. Tickets will not be provided directly to individuals. Non-profit housing operators in Vancouver that have not been contacted about the Celebrate 2010 program are asked to send an e-mail to info@celebrate2010.vancouver2010.com.
El Dorado Hotel becomes a temporary hostel
VANOC has selected the former Eldorado Hotel at Kingsway and Nanaimo as the site of a temporary hostel for people who might come to Vancouver because of the Games but without accommodations in hand. (Salt Lake City organizers found that approximately 250 people a night were in the city without having made arrangements for a room. Many of these people arrived in town in hopes of getting some temporary work or to share the Olympic host city experience.)
In order to avoid visitors putting strains on the shelters in the City of Vancouver, VANOC has funded the creation of the temporary hostel which opens December 4. Initially opening with about 100 beds, the hostel will be able to accommodate a maximum of 318 people at capacity in February 2010.
After the Games, VANOC and Eldorado Operations will collaborate on the donation of furniture and equipment purchased for the hostel to various overnight camps serving children and families in need in the Lower Mainland.
Policing and security during the Games
During the 2010 Games, Olympic venue security will be led by the RCMP, with the Vancouver Police Department policing the rest of the city or what is being referred to as the 'urban domain'. It will be business as usual for the VPD says Superintendent Warren Lemcke. Supt. Lemcke is the lead on the Partners in Action partnership and he wants to reassure Downtown Eastside residents and housing operators that nothing is changing for city residents when it comes to policing outside of the specific Olympic venues.
Supt. Lemcke also pointed out that there will be adequate public space within close proximity of all Olympic venue security zones for citizens to lawfully express comments or protest. Citizens are free to use these areas or other public areas in the city as long as protests are conducted lawfully.
The Vancouver Police Department has created a Question & Answer pamphlet developed to address DTES community concerns about policing during the Olympic Games.
Road and traffic restrictions during the Olympics
The ability of housing and shelter providers with buildings and offices in the downtown and Olympic venue areas to conduct business as usual will be affected by road and traffic restrictions during the Winter Games. Changes will be phased in in the weeks and days leading up to the February 12 Opening Ceremonies.
Curb lanes on a number of major roadways will be designated as Olympic lanes with no parking or stopping rules will be in effect 24 hours a day for the duration of the Games and beforehand. For SRO operators, this means all deliveries and services must be channelled through the neighbouring alleys or side streets. But with much more traffic being directed into laneways, there will be enhanced bylaw enforcement taking place in the alleyways.
More information about road and traffic restrictions including detailed maps of affected routes can be accessed at www.vancouver2010.com.
The City of Vancouver will follow up with SRO operators as well as shelter and outreach staff to address business critical issues such as the process for letting trades people conduct emergency services, the ability of outreach workers to escort clients to offices and appointments, and access for health care professionals.