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Post by musicalmom on Sept 12, 2008 2:10:14 GMT -5
Here's a second version of the article:
Pacific Coliseum to be first 2010 Olympic venue to host pre-games event
Jim Jamieson
The Province
Friday, September 12, 2008
Officials and athletes gathered at the Pacific Coliseum Thursday to showcase the first 2010 Olympic venue to host a live event.
The Coliseum will stage the Samsung ISU World Cup Short Track speed-skating event Oct. 24 to 26 and the ISU Four Continents figure-skating championships
Feb. 2 to 8, 2009. Both sports will be held at the Coliseum at the 2010 Games.
"We've taken the Pacific Coliseum, which is an NHL-size rink, and made it Olympic size," said Bryce Holbech, Support Manager for short-track speed skating for VANOC. "We had a chance to test this in the summer with the Canadian team and we're going into some events now. It's gone really well."
The venue was renovated for $20.4 million, although the cost was originally set at $23 million. The budget was reduced mostly due to a cost-sharing deal for a power upgrade with Great Canadian Casinos, which was putting in equipment at Hastings Park.
Improvements included upgrades to the washrooms, heating-ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as new seats. New movable boards also have been installed that allow the skating surface to be enlarged to international size (60 metres by 30 m).
The WHL Vancouver Giants are the major tenant at the Coliseum and play on an NHL-size rink that measures 200 feet by 85 feet.
The rink will seat 14,239 in its configuration for these sports, but the capacity may be lower for the Games depending on media and camera demands.
"We spent two weeks in the summer training here," said Yves Hamelin, national speed-skating team program director, whose group will begin Cup team selection next week at the Coliseum.
"At the beginning the ice was a bit soft, but they were able to drive the ice colder for us to get the ice harder."
Mike Slipchuk, high performance director of Skate Canada, said the Four Continents event in February will be the national team's last chance to compete at the Coliseum before the Games a year later.
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Post by lilyover76 on Sept 12, 2008 10:39:28 GMT -5
REGARDING TICKETS FOR WC2 - VANCOUVER:According to aaosmts19's post at the Apolo articles thread, tickets for WC2 Vancouver go on sale THIS Saturday, Sept 13, instead of Mon., Oct. 13 as previously reported. SEE BELOW:
"Meanwhile, tickets are on sale Saturday for the Oct. 24-26 Samsung ISU Short-Track Speedskating World Cup at the Coliseum. The first indoor test event for 2010 Games' organizers features world champion Apolo Anton Ohno of Seattle among 150 skaters from 25 countries."
Do we need to check (somewhere) as to which date is correct? We have to help Grandson move back to Cal Poly so I don't have much time to check this out. 
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Post by Lori on Sept 12, 2008 11:02:06 GMT -5
Great news, Lily and aaosmts19, and the link below seems to confirm it. I thought that Oct 13 was a bit late!  Here's the most current link that I have (if anyone has one that's better, please post it!) EDIT: the URL below keeps getting truncated - it WILL take you to the ISU calendar, just scroll down to Vancouver and click 'Event Website' for the ticket info. www.isu.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,4844-138352-155568-nav-list,00.html It says:
Tickets will be on sale Saturday September 13 at 10 am
For tickets please visit www.ticketmaster.ca, Ticketmaster retail locations or call 604-280-4444. Ticket prices do not include service charges and facility fee.REGARDING TICKETS FOR WC2 - VANCOUVER:According to aaosmts19's post at the Apolo articles thread, tickets for WC2 Vancouver go on sale THIS Saturday, Sept 13, instead of Mon., Oct. 13 as previously reported. SEE BELOW:
"Meanwhile, tickets are on sale Saturday for the Oct. 24-26 Samsung ISU Short-Track Speedskating World Cup at the Coliseum. The first indoor test event for 2010 Games' organizers features world champion Apolo Anton Ohno of Seattle among 150 skaters from 25 countries."
Do we need to check (somewhere) as to which date is correct? We have to help Grandson move back to Cal Poly so I don't have much time to check this out. |
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Post by lilyover76 on Sept 12, 2008 12:32:02 GMT -5
Lori, Michelle, (I just sent the following to your email addy too) I just log on at TM/ca and they have the Oct. sale date... what's up with that??? I'd call TM but I have to pack to leave this afternoon. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canada (1 - 2 of 2) Sat, 10/25/08 02:00 PM Pacific ColiseumVancouver, BC World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Competition More Info » on sale: Mon, 10/13/08 10:00 AM Sun, 10/26/08 02:00 PM Pacific ColiseumVancouver, BC World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Competition More Info » on sale: Mon, 10/13/08 10:00 AM |
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Post by mtnme on Sept 12, 2008 13:56:54 GMT -5
Lori, Michelle, (I just sent the following to your email addy too) I just log on at TM/ca and they have the Oct. sale date... what's up with that??? I'd call TM but I have to pack to leave this afternoon. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canada (1 - 2 of 2) Sat, 10/25/08 02:00 PM Pacific ColiseumVancouver, BC World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Competition More Info » on sale: Mon, 10/13/08 10:00 AM Sun, 10/26/08 02:00 PM Pacific ColiseumVancouver, BC World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Competition More Info » on sale: Mon, 10/13/08 10:00 AM Yeah, we caught that, and contacting TM wouldn't do you any good anyway, as they don't answer questions about the venue. So I contacted the Pacific Coliseum via e-mail as to what gives- What is the REAL date of ticket sales, but more importantly - how to solve a bigger issue.... How do we all sit together if the rumor is true that it's assigned seating. I indicated that we were coming from all parts of the US and would have to buy our tickets individually, so how do we keep from sitting all by ourselves spread out throughout the arena? And if we had to get a 'designated ticket buyer' - if tickets actually DO go on sale tomorrow, that leaves us NO TIME to get a check to said individual so that they could buy the tickets without breaking the bank. Thanks peeps for all the advanced notice  - ... 1 day before the tickets supposedly go on sale. . . . . . . . . *dripping sarcasm intended* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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Post by Lori on Sept 12, 2008 13:59:00 GMT -5
Sk8on has been a busy girl this morning, and she's getting some results. It looks like tomorrow may be the day, but she's waiting for more info. Sit tight!
EDIT: Mtnme, just saw your post - good question about the assigned seating. We know how it's gonna work in SLC, and how it USUALLY works (open seating within your designated area) - lets hope you get good news!
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Post by lilyover76 on Sept 12, 2008 15:17:48 GMT -5
I'll keep checking back here --- from somewhere *on-the-road*! Michelle, once again, you had me ROTFL with... *dripping sarcasm intended*  |
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Post by sk8on on Sept 12, 2008 19:03:06 GMT -5
So I contacted the Pacific Coliseum via e-mail as to what gives- What is the REAL date of ticket sales, but more importantly - how to solve a bigger issue.... How do we all sit together if the rumor is true that it's assigned seating. I indicated that we were coming from all parts of the US and would have to buy our tickets individually, so how do we keep from sitting all by ourselves spread out throughout the arena? And if we had to get a 'designated ticket buyer' - if tickets actually DO go on sale tomorrow, that leaves us NO TIME to get a check to said individual so that they could buy the tickets without breaking the bank. Thanks peeps for all the advanced notice - ... 1 day before the tickets supposedly go on sale. . . . . . . . . *dripping sarcasm intended* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . --- they DO go on sale tomorrow (even though ticketmaster.ca STILL has them listed as available October 13th  ) Also, there are no VIP tickets...seating is general. Wow, their communication has been excellent so far...*borrowing some sarcasm from mtnme.* |
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Post by Lori on Sept 12, 2008 19:03:45 GMT -5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Cup I to be Held in MinneapolisSeptember 12, 2008: Salt Lake City, UT. US Speedskating is pleased to announce that the first Short Track American Cup I event will be held on September 27-28, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN. The event is a Short Track World Cup qualifier for the first four World Cup events which will be held in Salt Lake City, UT; Vancouver, CANANDA; Beijing, CHINA and Nagano, JAPAN. The Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating Club is hosting the American Cup in conjunction with the Greater Minnesota Speedskating Association. Located at the Plymouth Ice Center, just a few miles west of Minneapolis, the Short Track American Cup I event brings nationally-ranked skaters together to compete in the first big event of the season. There seems to be quite a bit of interest in watching [the event].
The rink's been getting quite a few phone calls requesting tickets. (D'ya THINK ) "Our younger skaters are excited to see the Olympic-caliber athletes", said Greg Oly, meet director and head coach for the Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating Club. "The local community's excited to experience something like this". For more information on the event, visit pwspeedskating.homestead.com/2008AmericanCup.html. --------------------------------------------- P.S... I see that Kimberly Derrick has signed up!
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Post by Lori on Sept 12, 2008 19:27:15 GMT -5
Latest update on Vancouver tickets--- they DO go on sale tomorrow (even though ticketmaster.ca STILL has them listed as available October 13th ) Also, there are no VIP tickets...seating is general. Wow, their communication has been excellent so far...*borrowing some sarcasm from mtnme.* Thank you SO much Sk8on! No VIP tickets??? Waaaaah!  Okay, who do we know in Vancouver that we can whine to? - or at the very least, 'bat our eyelashes' at?  Now if we can just ferret out the host hotel, we'll have all the pieces of the puzzle for Vancouver - sheesh, this has been like trying to break into Ft. Knox! |
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Post by mtnme on Sept 12, 2008 19:41:36 GMT -5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AMERICAN CUP 1
September 12, 2008: Salt Lake City, UT.
US Speedskating is pleased to announce that the first Short Track American Cup I event will be held on September 27-28, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN. The event is a Short Track World Cup qualifier for the first four World Cup events which will be held in Salt Lake City, UT; Vancouver, CANANDA; Beijing, CHINA and Nagano, JAPAN.
The Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating Club is hosting the American Cup in conjunction with the Greater Minnesota Speedskating Association.
Located at the Plymouth Ice Center, just a few miles west of
Minneapolis, the Short Track American Cup I event brings
nationally-ranked skaters together to compete in the first big event of the season.
There seems to be quite a bit of interest in watching [the event].
The rink's been getting quite a few phone calls requesting tickets. (D'ya THINK )
"Our younger skaters are excited to see the Olympic-caliber athletes", said Greg Oly, meet director and head coach for the Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating Club. "The local community's excited to experience something like this".
For more information on the event, visit
pwspeedskating.homestead.com/2008AmericanCup.html.
---------------------------------------------
P.S... I see that Kimberly Derrick has signed up!
Airfare to the most expensive airport in the contiguous United States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500 Hotel stay for the event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$300 Car Rental to drive to the event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150 Actual TICKETS for the event . . . . . . . . . . Apparently . . 'Priceless'(since we STILL can't seem to purchase any a mere TWO WEEKS from the event....) Yeah, I know - more *dripping sarcasm*. I'm on a roll here, folks...LOL.
Have you EVER, in your entire life, had such a hard time trying to give people your money???   |
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Post by evie5 on Sept 12, 2008 20:50:44 GMT -5
I just saw that Anthony Barthell has registered for Am Cup I
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Post by lilyover76 on Sept 12, 2008 22:15:04 GMT -5
sk8on - if the seating is 'general', does that mean it is NOT assigned seating? Hope that's the case, so that we can choose to sit together.
By the way... thanks so much for getting that information, since I can't do much investigating while on-the-road.
Lori ? Mtnme? ... do either of you know if general seating is first-come-first-served???
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Post by sk8on on Sept 12, 2008 22:27:57 GMT -5
sk8on - if the seating is 'general', does that mean it is NOT assigned seating? Hope that's the case, so that we can choose to sit together. By the way... thanks so much for getting that information, since I can't do much investigating while on-the-road. Lori ? Mtnme? ... do either of you know if general seating is first-come-first-served??? lily, I was told it is reserved/assigned seating for Saturday and Sunday and NOT assigned for Friday (which isn't even available on ticketmaster.ca)...confused much?!!  |
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Post by lilyover76 on Sept 12, 2008 23:07:25 GMT -5
sk8on - if the seating is 'general', does that mean it is NOT assigned seating? Hope that's the case, so that we can choose to sit together. By the way... thanks so much for getting that information, since I can't do much investigating while on-the-road. Lori ? Mtnme? ... do either of you know if general seating is first-come-first-served??? lily, I was told it is reserved/assigned seating for Saturday and Sunday and NOT assigned for Friday (which isn't even available on ticketmaster.ca)...confused much?!! Thanks for the quick reply!  |
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~Lori
