Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond

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The Richmond Oval uses elements reminiscent of BC's Native American culture such as its heron wing wood roof, water features and native plants.

One of the most stunning 2010 venues, the Richmond Olympic Oval encompassed the spirit of British Columbia in its whimsical heron wing wood wave roof design, views of the mountains and riverside locale. The Olympic Oval was the long track speed skating venue for the 2010 Winter Cames and offered visitors the opportunity to watch the world's best compete for the gold while enjoying an architecturally stunning building. The Richmond Olympic Oval is now a community building with a gym and sports courts.

Commissioned for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Richmond Olympic Oval is one of the most impressive architectural buildings in the region. Completed in 2008, the Oval encompasses 33,750 meters of land alongside the northern arm of the Fraser River. It was built to serve as the long track speed skating venue for the 2010 Olympic Games where many Canadians won medals.

The Richmond Olympic Oval was designed and built to qualify for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and upon its completion received a silver certification. The building uses the heat generated to cool the building to warm other rooms and built a special retention pond on the eastern edge of the Oval to store run off from the roof for use in the plumbing system (for toilets) as well as irrigation for the surrounding landscape.

The Oval is a feat of engineering and design. Its most unique feature is its wood wave roof which was inspired by a heron's wing. Its undulating design has won international acclaim and more so for its use of pine-beetle eaten boards for its roof which hold hundreds of dehumidifiers to ensure the temperature is not affected by exterior conditions. The edges of the roof are held up by silver metal braces which were designed to emulate the speed skater's skate blade.

The Richmond Olympic Oval became a public facility after the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Members can use the gym located on the second floor and enjoy sports events and courts throughout the year.

The exterior of the building is just as fascinating as the interior. Visitors can walk over top the retention pond on a bright red boardwalk - honouring the Chinese Dragon Dance - and view the large 'Sky Lanterns' which were influenced by the local fishing industry. Other art can be seen around the Richmond Olympic Oval and can be enjoyed year-round.

The experience of the Olympic Oval is an awe-inspiring - allowing visitors to see one of the many venues that was used in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.