Re-live Sporting Glory: Visit These Olympic Venues in Canada
The Olympic games have been held on Canadian soil three separate times, the first being the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec. Canadian winters also make for the perfect conditions to participate in winter sports, so it’s no surprise that the 1988 Winter Olympics took place in Calgary, Alberta, with the 2010 edition occurring in Vancouver, British Columbia. Events like ice hockey, bobsleighing, Nordic skiing, and others had onlookers from around the world at the edge of their seats.
Today, many of the facilities built to host the games still stand. Best of all, many of them have remained in use as athletic facilities. Whether you’re an athlete looking to train, or someone looking for a day or night out with friends, these facilities offer feelings of nostalgia and excitement. So, if you’re ready to relive sporting glory, then consider a visit to one of these Olympic venues in Canada.
Montreal
In 1976, after beating out cities like Moscow and Los Angeles, the summer Olympics came to Montreal. From July 17 to August 1, Quebec’s metropolis hosted events like cycling, canoeing, archery, boxing, and more. The games required the use of 27 venues across the city. Over forty years later, not only are many of these venues still standing, but many of them are still hosting world-class events, including sports and musical concerts. Let’s take a look at a couple of Montreal Olympic venues that offer up diverse experiences for their visitors.
Visit the Olympic Park Sports Centre for an All-Inclusive Sporting Experience
For those who like to get active, the Olympic Park Sports Centre is a dream come true. This multisport complex is open to everyone, from professional athletes training for their next competition to the general public for leisure purposes. After the Olympic games, the facility went through an extensive facelift, which saw the addition of many new amenities like a paddling pool, a flexibility basin, a cycling room, and a gym. This is in addition to the competition pool, synchronized swimming pool, and training pool which already existed. The Olympic Park Sports Centre has something for almost anyone looking to get active — best of all, it’s all taking place under the roof where history was once made!
Velodrome to Biodome: Explore the Different Ecosystems of the World
Located near the Olympic Stadium, the Montreal Biodome was constructed for the 1976 summer Olympic games by the government of Montreal and the Régie des installations Olympiques. Unlike other Olympic venues that still stand in other parts of Canada, you won’t be able to participate in athletic activities here. That’s because it has been remodeled into a natural sanctuary. Visitors to the Biodome will instead encounter pathways that allow for the exploration of the five ecosystems found throughout the Americas. Thanks to their climate-controlled venue, the Biodome remains open throughout all four seasons of the year. Curious about what you may encounter? Think tropical rainforests, the changing seasons of the Laurentian Maple Forest, and so much more.
Calgary
In 1988, the first winter Olympic games were held in Calgary, Alberta. Occurring between February 13 and 28, these games saw 1,423 athletes participate from 57 National Olympic Committees (NOC) — a record at the time. Although most of the competitions took place in Calgary, other events such as skiing were held further west at the Nakiska Ski Resort in Kananaskis Country and the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park in the town of Canmore. Many Calgary Olympic venues still stand today, giving those interested in the history of the games a place to relive the moment.
Experience Year-Round Adventure at Calgary Olympic Park
During the 1988 winter Olympics, The Calgary Olympic Park (COP) hosted ski jumping, luge, and bobsleigh events that captivated viewers across the globe. The park is still open today and is now owned and operated by WinSport. They have made it their mission to support and improve Canadian athletes who participate in high-performance sport through world-class training and competition facilities. COP isn’t just for high-performance athletes. It is also open to the public for leisure purposes. In fact, the park welcomes nearly 1.2 million people each year!
So, if you want to get active on former Olympic grounds, the Calgary Olympic Park is a great place to go. Best of all, they are open year-round. In cold-weather months, COP is mainly used for downhill skiing, ski jumping, and snowboarding. In the spring and summer, visitors can mountain bike and even zip-line for an added adrenaline rush.
Skate the Fastest Ice in the World at the Olympic Oval
The Olympic Oval, North America’s first covered speed skating oval, is located on the campus of the University of Calgary. Specifically built for the 1988 winter Olympics and its speed skating events, it is often referred to as ‘the fastest ice in the world.’ Having been the venue to host more than 300 world records and 38 Olympic medalists, the nickname seems to be fitting. The indoor setting allows for climate control that produces high-quality ice for its 400-meter (1,312 ft) ice track. The venue also houses two international-size ice rinks, a 110-meter (360 ft) sprint track with eight lanes, and a 450-meter (1,476 ft) oval track surrounding the ice.
Although the Olympic Oval remains a popular location for Canadian athletes looking to train for their next big event, it is also open to the community for public skating from time to time. When the opportunity arises, consider going for a leisurely glide around the oval — or kick it up a notch and satisfy your need for speed at ‘the fastest ice in the world.’
Vancouver
The 2010 Winter Olympics, also known as Vancouver 2010, was held from February 12 to 28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Some of the events also took place in Richmond, West Vancouver, Whistler, and the University of British Columbia. These games saw 2,600 athletes from 82 countries descend on Canada’s west coast to participate in 86 events. Ten competition venues were constructed for the games, with some of the most notable being Whistler Olympic Park and the Richmond Olympic Oval, both of which are still open today. Although the games may be over, Vancouver Olympic venues, the rings, and other monuments live on for those who want to revisit memories or learn more about this moment in history.
Slide Like an Olympian at the Whistler Sliding Centre
Located atop Whistler Village on the southeast slope of Blackcomb Mountain is the Whistler Sliding Centre. This world-class facility hosted bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge events during the 2010 Olympic winter games. Today, guests can visit the facility to participate in unique passenger bobsleigh and skeleton rides — no experience required!
Ready to experience the thrill of sliding in a real bobsleigh? This Olympic-like experience will begin with a tutorial to ensure everyone’s safety. Then it’s time to hop into the bobsleigh with your teammates and a trained pilot. You will speed through ten incredible twists and turns, reaching speeds of over 125 kilometers per hour. Similarly, the skeleton experience allows you to slide solo through the track’s six corners. Reaching speeds of 100 kilometers per hour, guests can traverse the track two times with one ticket.
Drop in at the Richmond Olympic Oval
The Richmond Olympic Oval is an indoor multi-sport facility located in Richmond, British Columbia, on the south shore of the Fraser River. Originally built and configured for speed skating at the 2010 Olympic winter games, the facility has several unique elements. The roof is supported by fifteen glued laminated timber beams, designed to resemble the wings of a heron, a prominent bird species in Canada. The roof is partially constructed using wood damaged by mountain pine beetles as a show of support to communities that suffered the negative economic impacts of these incidents.
The original Olympic configuration of the venue included a 400-meter (1,312 ft) speed skating rink with a capacity for 8,000 spectators. It was re-configured shortly after the games to become a community-serving, multi-sport facility. The upper level is home to a large fitness center, while the main floor consists of an Ice Zone, home to two ice hockey rinks with international dimensions, the Court Zone, consisting of ten basketball courts, and a Track Zone, consisting of a five-lane, 200-meter (660 ft) oval running track. The facility can also be re-configured to include badminton courts, volleyball courts, soccer fields, and more. For those who enjoy sports, being active, or marveling at beautiful architecture, a visit to the Richmond Olympic Oval is a must.
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