Vancouver Olympics Update

Furlong Reports to Vancouver Board of Trade

In his annual speech this week to the Vancouver Board of Trade, VANOC chief executive John Furlong told the business leaders that the organizing committee is "where we think we need to be now".

"Our expenditures are under control, our planning is progressing well in every area," Furlong said.

Furlong said the completion of the first venue for the Vancouver Games would be announced Nov. 8, the first day of a meeting of IOC specialists to review preparations for the Games.

The venue is expected to be the cross country trails at the Callaghan Valley, south of Whistler. The wilderness will be the site of Nordic events, including ski jumping.

Work has been underway at the site for more than a year. Canadian athletes will be able to use the venue as a training site later this year.

Cruise Ship Still in Housing Plans

The Board of Trade luncheon was held at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, which doubles as the city's main cruise ship terminal. Furlong said a luxury cruise ship anchored at Squamish ? almost halfway between Vancouver and Whistler - is still part of the VANOC accommodation plan.

"That idea is still alive," he said.

"We're not exactly sure yet who will stay on that ship. Maybe the media, maybe some of the media, maybe other groups."

The IOC Press Commission turned down the idea of using the ship for housing journalists who will be covering events in Whistler. Press Commission chair Kevan Gosper is due to visit Vancouver soon for a look at the housing options for the media.

Business Plan in Final Stages

The long-awaited business plan for VANOC will be discussed by the board of directors in November before it goes to the Canadian and British Columbian governments and IOC for discussion. It will be made public in early 2007, said Furlong.

In his comments to the Board of Trade, Furlong said the operating budget for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics is now estimated at $1.5 billion.

Furlong said VANOC could spend less than the $513 million venue construction budget funded jointly by the federal and provincial governments.

And he says VANOC increased its contingency budget to $59 million after adding budget savings from canceled Whistler Paralympic sledge hockey arena and not needing to expand the size of the hockey rink General Motors Place.

In its annual report, released the day of Furlong's speech, VANOC says it has reached an agreement to compensate mountain venues Cypress Bowl, Whistler and Blackcomb for Games-time revenue shortfalls. But the amount is unknown and "cannot yet be reasonably determined."

Vancouver 2010 Adds Nine Licensees

This week VANOC announced nine new licensees for apparel and headware.

The licensees, including five BC-based companies and four located in Toronto, Markham and Montreal, will develop and sell products bearing Vancouver 2010 emblems for the Olympics and Paralympics.

* Aritzia LP (Apparel and Headwear; women's fashion), Vancouver, BC

* Filmar Sportswear Canada Inc. (Headwear; caps and knitted toques) Montreal, QC

* Kootenay Knitting Company Ltd. (Apparel and Headwear; knitted sweaters, vests/scarves, matching toques), Cranbrook, BC

* New Era Cap Canada (Headwear; caps and toques), Toronto, ON

* Panabo Sales Ltd. (Apparel; scarves and ties), North Vancouver, BC

* Paris Glove of Canada (Apparel; gloves and mitts), Montreal, QC

* Please Mum (Apparel; kids, toddler and infant clothing), Vancouver, BC

* Trimark Sportswear Group Inc. (Apparel; lifestyle/activewear), Markham, ON

* Wilson International Products Ltd. (Apparel; cotton/cotton-blend T-shirts/sweatshirts), Richmond, BC

With reporting in Vancouver by Bob Mackin