Olympic Chaos

Now I want the opinion of British Columbians here (especially those in the Fraser Valley)and others throughout Canada. Do you guys really think that Vancouver should host the olympics? Do you really think its possible? The final skytrain station for Coquitlam has officially been diverted to richmond (last i heard) for the olympics. I cant begin to tell you whats wrong with moving it just for 3 months of olympics. And the sea-to-sky! HAHA, dont get me started. Traffic in Van. is already off the wall, if we have olympic tourists here it will cause chaos!!

It was done once before with Expo (was it expo or olympics, not sure), that's why they had the Skytrain put in. Now maybe this time they'll put washrooms on the line. Hopefully too they'll let the Skytrain run more into the night, there's nothing like barhopping downtown Vancouver and trying to get home in Surrey after midnight, almost 3 hours by bus!

And how else can you get to that 24-hr McD on Broadway unless you take the train?

Yeah it was for expo. And oh god yes, washrooms please!! Im just pissed cause that skytrain to coquitlam would have been my savior. I could park at the mall and ride it all the way down town. No dealing with Van. traffic or finding a parking space! heaven forbid. You know how it will work out. They will increase the skytrain hours to later at night but as soon as the olympics are gone, so will the later trains. Their not looking towards the future! why do all this just for 3 months of tourists?! We need that skytrain in coquitlam!! Of course i guess its delusional of me to think that our government has the capacity to think beyond the next election.

its (sic) delusional to think that our government has the capacity to think beyond the next election

That's ANY government. I was on the Municipal Planning Commission here in Saskatoon for 6 years and made a terrifying discovery. Long term planning to politicians means 'till the next election'. It is rare to find one who has the vision and the courage to propose capital investment in infrastructure that will pay dividends 10 or 20 years in the future. It just doesn't buy votes NOW.

An interesting exception was Calgary. Some far-seeing city council approved a massive buildup of the roadway system in the 70's resulting in the 'trail' system. At the time it was overkill. There was way more roadway capacity than was needed at the time or for the forseeable future. Add to this, the daring LRT plan. Guess what? 25 years later, Calgary's population has exploded beyond all expectations, and the roadway system that was called a white elephant is now running to capacity, and in some cases, overcapacity. Just try driving the Deerfoot at rush hour!

In Saskatoon, we've needed at least 2 new river crossing for the last 10-15 years , and really needs 4 to adequately serve the city and through traffic. The provincal government proposed a plan last summer to build two bridges in place of the 4 by splitting the difference, and curving roadways at ridiculous points. Guess what? The public response (and the city's, thank goodness) was derision. The plan has died a quiet death.

(sidebar - I had a 1996 street map for Calgary. Was there last summer and it proved to be useless on the periphery of the city, especially the northwest!)

Edmonton demonstrates the typical lack of vision re. infrastructure. Apart from the LRT which might take off once they get it above ground, there are terrible transportation problems. That's one reason why I move back to the center from the suburbs; closer to work and public transportation centrally works better.

I visite Vancouver last summer. They still have the althetes village deserted from EXPO.. Also many other facilities that are not in use from EXPO.. I thought at least an office building, or something in there. But theres dust on the ground, still in good shape though. I couldn't believe it, 3 huge buildings right accross the bay from the science dome.

Also I rode the sky train from end-end, pretty decent ride, better than Calgary's LRT. When I was there they were building the new part of the train in Burnaby.

All I can say is the only way we can truely prosper is to totally revamp the way the country is run. Obviously this type of government doesnt work. For once I'd just like to see a way to govern this country and work towards the future, well into the next decade even. If we could do that…so many possibilities would open up to us. Ive been taking numerous environmental courses in the local college. Its quite disheartening to learn the sad truths of our bleak world. For one, I learned that according to surveys done recently on population and developement expansion, the whole of the Fraser Valley (right up to hope) is predicted to be totally developed (no more forests, or natural greenery) by 2005!! Its pretty sad. Makes me wanna move just so i wont have to see it. The only original forest or green land left in the Fraser Valley is Stanley Park and whats left of Burns Bog, the rest is second growth. If we could have a government that could see this and work to solve it, Id be a happy woman.

But enough of this depressing stuff, hows the money going ppl.

Only 5% of original forests remain in Europe. They have a few years on us. Our crazy government in Alberta has sold off huge boreal forest tracks for commercial lumbering; good in the short term for jobs and logs but tree re-planting doesn't quite cut it for restoration of biodiversity. "Let's shoot the lawyers, includes now, the politicians, and land developers". These last groups must donate money to political campaigns or something. Oregon is one of the few cities that took them on, and truly experimented with a social//urban makeover. The community won out on that. Sounds like DragonGirl has the makings of a movement. In Alberta, Dr. Schindler, world-renowned water expert, is very concerned about Canada's water resources; how we mismanaged them including edging closer to transporting it to the US. We end up with governements by default usually because Ontario doesn't like the other options. B.C. , well, I'll never figure out your politics. I can remember a National Geographic Article published on clearcutting northern Vancouver Island. A major embarrassment to the government. Anyways, the bottom line for all decisions made by politicians is 'will it get me elected'. All a bunch of 'arrogant without substance' lawyers, the majority of whom have a truly sad and stunted intellect. But hey, that's our system.

Well, I feel like I need to put my 2 cents into this column. First – I am a firm supporter of bringing the 2010 Olympics here. Not only for the tourism and revenues generated, but for the long-term effects of hosting such a glorious event. Having a sports background, it's true that Canada does not have a great track record in truly competing recently at the world level in winter alpine sports. With more opportunities out there (actually HAVING a luge track in Vancouver-area for instance), it will intice more people into sport in this city and the country for that matter, and perhaps by increasing numbers, increasing our knowledge and maybe gain a competitive edge in sport. Who knows? But why is the national winter sport centre in this country located in Calgary? BECAUSE IT HAS THE FACILITIES. Do I want to go to Calgary to train for luge? Hell no. If a track is built in Vancouver, may I be interested in trying it? HELL, YES!! How can the people be upset at the thought of hosting the most esteemed sporting event in the world? I don't understand it. There are environmental concerns, but jeez, forests are being torn down at a record rate to build houses, for god sakes, in this city (particularly in Coquitlam) with NO CARE given to the environment, and be rest-assured, research going into protecting the environment (as much as possible) with the 2010 Bid Corporation is at an all-time high. I think the long-term after-effects of hosting the games are irresistible to pass over. Sports brings together people. It joins a nation. It joins the world. It brings peace and harmony and brotherly (and sisterly) love. Was anybody on Robson Street in Vancouver after the gold medal hockey game at the Salt Lake Games?? Look at this message board after the game, if you doubt me. More opportunities for sport in this country can only enhance the Canadian lifestyle, and I cannot agree with nor admire any person who does not agree that the 2010 Winter Olympics should not be held in Vancouver. For instance, if somebody opposes the games due to environmental concerns, and that same person lives in a house on land that was once forest, he/she could be easily called a hypocrite. If you choose to oppose the games due to environmental concerns, then boycott new houses being built, boycott forest development, boycott wood products, and join anti-forestry movements. Put up, or shut-up, I say. Why do people complain about the most trivial and stupid things? Why are we pessimists by nature? That attitude and mentality pisses the crap out of me. The Winter Olympics should be here, and every attempt and effort should be made to bring them here. There is no debate here. It's a no-brainer. We are the greatest country in the world. I am proud of my country. And proud of my city. And I want to show the rest of the world that Canada is the best place to be. And that We, as a nation, can join together and kick some serious ass! I AM CANADIAN!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, SAUCY-EYE… never knew you had THAT in you! Whew!! :o)

Whew! I'm with you. Vancouver and Canada would be a great setting for the Olympics. Who's the main competition?

Yeah, I guess I have been known to rant a bit, but oh well. Main competition is from Pyong Chang, Korea, and Salsburg, Austria. We figure to be short-listed, but Salsburg is going to be our biggest competition. July 2003 is when the decision is made. Let's keep our fingers crossed!