Government

“The road to 2010 travels through Alberta,” said Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach.  “We are the only province to have hosted an Olympic Winter Games—we have the expertise and the facilities to help make the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games a great success for VANOC and Canadian athletes.  There will be tremendous opportunities for Alberta in sport, tourism and culture when the world’s spotlight shines on Canada in 2010.”

Some of Alberta’s actions outlined in the accord include establishing a committee of volunteers and an ‘Alberta House’ for the Games, and providing Canadian athletes priority access to Olympic venues in Alberta for training. The province will also promote Alberta’s literary, visual and performing artists before and during the Games.

“As we all prepare to remember and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games, what better time to create this link between Alberta and the 2010 Games,” said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. “The legacies of the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games are impressive. Alberta is the training ground for many Canadian athletes who hope to win a medal in 2010 and we are pleased to see such strong support for their Olympic and Paralympic dreams. We welcome Alberta to the team and look forward to learning from your successes to deliver Games that will inspire the world and make all Canadians proud in 2010.”

The Alberta-VANOC Accord is the latest facet of the province’s support for high performance sport. “This accord will strengthen sports, tourism and culture in Alberta,” added Cindy Ady, Associate Minister of Tourism Promotion, with responsibility for Alberta’s involvement in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. “With the Alberta government’s commitment of close to $100 million to renew our Olympic legacy facilities, our province is well positioned to be an international winter sport destination.”   

The recently completed renovations at the Canmore Nordic Centre totaled $25.6 million, and the province is a major partner in the Calgary Olympic Development Association’s Olympic legacy renewal and Centre of Sport Excellence project in Calgary ($69 million).

"We're pleased to welcome Alberta to the 2010 team. As a fellow host province, Alberta can share a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable as B.C. prepares to host the Games," said Premier Gordon Campbell. "Alberta is also currently home to the majority of the Canadian Olympic team and we look forward to serving as their home away from home as they come to train and prepare for 2010." 

Prior to this announcement, VANOC signed memoranda of understanding with a number of Canadian provinces including: Quebec, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the Northern Territories, in the areas of language, culture, sport development, volunteerism, tourism and economic development. Discussions are ongoing with the remaining provinces to identify areas of collaboration that will ensure all Canadians can be involved and inspired by the Games in 2010. VANOC’s goal is to sign memoranda of understanding with all provinces and territories, so as to make the 2010 Winter Games truly Canada’s Games.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.