The official Whistler website of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
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Accelerating Our Journey Toward Sustainability
For a long time, Whistler residents have understood that sustainability is neither optional nor an add-on. It is fundamental to who we are as a community and to the responsibility we feel as global citizens. This has been reflected in our community's vision, Whistler 2020, which directs community decisions. The 2010 Winter Games provide the opportunity to create lasting legacies, and accelerate our progress toward sustainability – and Whistler 2020 – a legacy
of considerable proportions.
The Whistler Athletes Village – both a fulfilment for the Games and an eventual new residential neighbourhood for the community – promotes sustainability principles and practices during the design, construction and deconstruction phases, while new resident housing is the ultimate in
building social sustainability.
Venues – Sustainability and accessibility principles and practices have been in the forefront in the development and operation planning of Games venues, including The Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler Creekside and Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Celebration Plaza. The Whistler venues have a smaller footprint and capacity than those of other Games, and green construction practices and principles have been applied and monitored for all sites.
The Whistler Centre for Sustainability – As a lasting legacy for local residents and international visitors, the Whistler Centre for Sustainability will foster discussion and dialogue – and accelerate local and global progress toward sustainability. With a focus on sustainability for communities, tourism and events, the Centre, launched in 2008, will deliver consulting services and learning opportunities and become the focal point for sustainability in Whistler and a centre of excellence within and beyond the region.
By supporting the development and implementation of an environmentally and socially responsible procurement program for products and services used in the 2010 Winter Games, we help tell the story on an international stage, while supporting local initiatives and involvement.
Carbon management programs, the Hydrogen Highway initiative and use of energy-efficient vehicles will all contribute to reducing our environmental footprint, and being inclusive and accessible furthers our social sustainability goals.
“The Games are a stepping stone to improving our social fabric locally, provincially and nationally through the examples we set and legacies we leave in sport, cultural development and economic growth.”
— Terry Wright, VANOC Executive Vice President, Services and Games operations
Key Deliverables
- Collaborate with Vancouver and VANOC in Promoting Sustainability and Sustainable Games
- Sustainability/Innovation Practices in the Whistler Athletes Village
- 2010 Venue Sustainability and Accessibility Support
- Whistler Centre for Sustainability
- Sustainable Procurement Support
- Energy-efficient Vehicles Pilot Program
- Hydrogen Highway Support
- 2010 Winter Games Carbon Management Program
- Support VANOC Sport and Sustainability Conference
- Sustainable Events Support
- Physical Accessibility Plan
- Expansion of Recycling Opportunities
WHISTLER ATHLETES VILLAGE FAST-TRACKS SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Hosting the 2010 Winter Games has given Whistler an opportunity to
meet the community's housing goals. Initially, the Athletes Village was planned as a temporary village – instead, the development of the permanent village is providing a
means to meet housing needs in a way that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.
During the Games, Whistler's Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Village will serve Olympians and Paralympians and their support teams. Post Games, the area will be turned into a new Whistler neighbourhood – Cheakamus Crossing – providing approximately 250 resident- restricted residences, with a mixture of housing types, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, convenience retail and other services.
This legacy project will serve to house permanent Whistler residents, providing an affordable opportunity to live, work and play in the resort – and help maintain our goal to house at least 75 per cent of our workforce in Whistler.
Most of the townhomes and condominiums will be sold prior to the Games to Whistler residents on the Whistler Housing Authority wait list, and will be price-restricted. The remaining residences will provide a mix of affordable rental units, hostel units and a small percentage of non-resident-restricted homes.
As one of only 20 Canadian developments designated as a pilot project for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Neighbourhood Development (LEED-ND), this new neighbourhood will feature high standards in green neighbourhood design practices and be a model of sustainable living.
The project is managed by the municipality's wholly-owned subsidiary, Whistler 2020 Development Corporation, and made possible by the support of the provincial and
federal governments and VANOC.
More information about the new neighbourhood is available at cheakamuscrossing.ca
Protecting Whistler’s environment is a priority of our community sustainability plan.
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Link to the official website for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
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