Vancouver: Richmond Olympic Oval 24/52

The Richmond Olympic Oval was the site for speedskating events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. It's unique feature is the wooden wave roof comprised primarily of Pine-beetle wood. Pine beetles bore into a tree and cause the trees to starve to death. As a result of the building's innovative use of pine beetle wood and long spanning roof, it was given an award of excellence by the Royal Architectural Insitute of Canada. After the olympics, the Oval was converted into a sports facility that includes 2 Olympic sized hockey rinks, hard-wood floors for other sports and a gym for elite athletes. The speedskating track is covered by removable flooring and can be easily converted to host speedskating events if needed. The Oval is currently the centerpiece of a new waterfront area featuring residential and commercial developments. This set was taken just after the facility had closed, so I wasn't able to explore the inside completely. The images are also a bit grainy because they were taken at ISO1600.

Pine-beetle kill wood roof

Front of Oval

Side of Oval

Vancouver: Olympic Cauldron HDR 20/52

I will be starting a series of Vancouver, Canada over the next several weeks starting with the Olympic Cauldron which has now become a permanent landmark on the Vancouver waterfront. If you don't know already, Vancouver was the host city of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. With the Winter Games now complete, the chain-linked fence (source of controversy during the games) has now been removed and visitors are now able to take a closer look at the cauldron. Despised by some and loved by others, it's five flame concept was considered unique.