RICHMOND - The Government of British Columbia is contributing $250,000 through BC Wheelchair Sports toward developing the Paralympic component of the Richmond Olympic Experience (ROX) - an exciting new legacy of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, announced Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

A highly interactive and dynamic visitor experience, the Richmond Olympic Experience - opening at the Richmond Oval in 2015 - will offer visitors an inspiring journey celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic spirit. Visitors will be entertained and informed by interpretive, multimedia displays featuring priceless Olympic and Paralympic artifacts. They will also be able to enjoy cutting-edge sport simulators that will allow them to experience what it is like to thunder down an Olympic bobsleigh run, fly off an Olympic ski jump, glide down a Paralympic sit-ski run and more.

BC Wheelchair Sports is one of a number of Paralympic sport experts providing input on the development of the Paralympic elements that will be part of the displays and programs at the Richmond Olympic Experience.

This project supports Accessibility 2024, a 10-year plan and shared commitment between government, businesses and communities to make B.C. the most progressive place in Canada for people with disabilities.

Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community Sport and Cultural Development -

“The Government of British Columbia is delighted to support the Paralympic component of the Richmond Olympic Experience. British Columbian athletes won an astounding 74% of Canadian medals at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, and 70% of the gold medals. We want to raise the profile of the tremendous contribution our para-athletes have made to the success of Team Canada, and encourage other athletes with different abilities to pursue podium dreams.”

Richmond-Centre MLA Teresa Wat -

“The opening of the Richmond Olympic Experience in summer 2015 will be an exciting and inspiring event celebrating the spirit of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It's great that the provincial government is supporting this project, providing an opportunity for our community to recognize the great achievements that our athletes and para-athletes have made.” 

Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap -

“Richmond was an Olympic Venue City in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that attracted many visitors and locals to celebrate the great events. Through the Richmond Olympic Experience, we can once again evoke our wonderful and precious memories in one of the most beautiful sports venues - the Richmond Olympic Oval, and celebrate the achievement of the Olympic and Paralympic dream.”

Richmond-East MLA Linda Reid -

“Through the Richmond Olympic Experience, we can once again be encouraged and inspired by the successful stories of the para-athletes who competed at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. I am very glad that Richmond is part of this wonderful legacy.”

Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell -

“Some of the best memories of my life so far happened at the Paralympic Games. These displays and interactive exhibits will give visitors a sense of the spirit of the Games, and I'm thrilled to participate by sharing my personal memorabilia from the London 2012 Games.”

Malcolm Brodie, mayor, City of Richmond -

“We’re proud that the Richmond Olympic Experience will showcase Paralympic sport. The ROX will help promote Paralympic sport and its benefits to new audiences, continuing our strong partnership with BC Wheelchair Sports. The Richmond Olympic Oval was purposely designed to be an inclusive, accessible facility for all and it regularly hosts many elite international Paralympic sport competitions. The oval is also a training centre for many of Canada’s top Paralympic athletes.”

Gail Hamamoto, executive director, BC Wheelchair Sports Association -

“BC Wheelchair Sports is pleased to contribute to the development of the Paralympic component of the Richmond Olympic Experience. The Richmond Olympic Oval is a valued hosting partner for national and international events in wheelchair sports and a training centre for our Paralympic athletes, as well as the next generation of wheelchair sports participants. We are very excited about this opportunity to enhance awareness of the Paralympic movement and share the incredible stories of Canada's Paralympians. Thank you to the Government of B.C. and the City of Richmond for their support of this incredible project.”

Quick Facts:

• The ROX will open in the summer of 2015 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Featuring gallery space on three floors with engaging displays of priceless artifacts, interactive media, a theatre and hands-on sporting simulations, the ROX will provide visitors with the experience of what it is like to achieve Olympic, Paralympic and other sport dreams.
• As home of long-track speed skating, the Richmond Olympic Oval is one of the most acclaimed venues and legacies of the 2010 Games.
• Post-Games the Oval has become a world-class centre of excellence for sport, health, recreation and culture. The ROX is expected to be a major regional attraction that will add to the Oval’s existing base of over 800,000 visits per year.
• The ROX is the first North American member of the worldwide Olympic Museum Network and is endorsed by the Canadian Olympic Committee and IOC Museum.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Richmond Olympic Experience, visit: http://richmondoval.ca/richmondolympicexperience

For information on the BC Wheelchair Sports Association, go to: http://bcwheelchairsports.com/

For more information about Accessibility 2024, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/accessibility

Media Contacts:

Gillian Rhodes
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462

Ted Townsend
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
City of Richmond
604 276-4399
604 516-9585 (cell)
Email: ttownsend@richmond.ca