Better Know An Olympic Venue: BC Place

The Opening Ceremonies will be the first ever held completely indoors, which is somewhat surprising considering the Winter Olympics are normally chilly. The budget for both the opening and closing was $40 million, half of which came from the Government of Canada.

Many of Canada’s best creative minds gathered in Vancouver at a series of ceremonies planning meetings to brainstorm, learn, and provide feedback, which will help develop ceremonies that will make all Canadians proud.

“The Opening Ceremony is our biggest chance to speak to a global audience and tell the story of a contemporary Canada that will inspire the world. So many talented Canadians have shared their thoughts and hopes for the ceremonies over the past six weeks and we are most grateful,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). “We’d like to thank the Government of Canada for its generous contribution and their tremendous support in putting on spectacular ceremonies of which all Canadians can be proud.”

Atkins and his team of noted Canadian producers have now established an extensive inventory of symbols, stories, messages, and themes that will influence the progress of the planning process. Detailed findings of the six planning meetings held this month will, understandably, remain confidential so as to retain the traditional element of anticipation and surprise.

The BC Place, which opened in 1983, is home to the BC Lions of the CFL, and has been since its inception. It has also hosted the Grey Cup seven times, and will do so again in 2011. Additionally, it will be the stadium for the new MLS Vancouver expansion team in 2011. The stadium’s website brags of its versatility.

With great size, comes great versatility. Imagine, in just a few hours, BC Place can be converted from a football stadium packed with 60,000 screaming BC Lions fans to a concert bowl party for Madonna.

We cannot imagine such madness, BC Place!

The Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for 9 p.m. ET Feb. 12.