Vancouverites and visitors looking to celebrate the Olympics outside the hustle and bustle of downtown need only hop on the Canada Line to stretch their legs and find 60 acres of Games-related activities.
Richmond’s O Zone — a sprawling celebration site at city hall near Brighouse Station — opens tomorrow and is set to be the hub of Olympic activity in that city.
“We’re the largest of the official celebration sites,” said city spokesperson Ted Townsend, adding that everything is free.
There will be a replica of the Canada Arm, an exhibit on the history of skating with a 3,000-year-old skate, a concert stage that will host Our Lady Peace, jumbo screens and an outdoor rink.
The Netherlands’ legendary Heineken House is expected to draw the biggest crowds at the venue, said Townsend.
The hospitality house takes up two hockey arenas and features, among other things, several restaurants and bars, a health club, merchandise shops and a giant celebration hall where spectators can watch the Dutch team compete on TV.
“When we win medals, that night the Dutch fans will be here wearing orange to celebrate with the athletes,” said Freek de Wette, international sponsorship manager for the house.
“It’s going to be a party.”
