With the 2010 Olympic Games less than three weeks away, Mayor Greg Gardner expressed his personal frustration with the Games organizing committee at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday (Jan. 19).
"VANOC [Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee] - it's probably not too strong for me to say it's been one of the most challenging and frustrating experiences in my life, dealing with the organizing committee," he said.
"This community has been there. We've been there when VANOC said we needed volunteers, we've been there when VANOC said we needed homestay accommodation volunteers, we've been there when athletes have just move to town and have needed support, so I'm proud of this community.
"The community deserves no criticism on the Olympics."
Regardless of his personal experience, Gardner urged the business community to leverage opportunities the Games bring to town.
"Having said that, me being frustrated isn't VANOC's problem, that's my problem," he said. "I don't want to emphasize how important three weeks is because more importantly are how we leverage it going forward and what the legacies are for our community."
With thousands of VANOC workers expected in the coming weeks, Chamber of Commerce president Sameer Kajani said local businesses should anticipate a boost.
In a phone interview with The Chief, Kajani said the anticipated influx of visitors will have a fantastic impact.
"The economic benefits are going to be great for the community and our members. People will need a place to eat, shop, places to stay, get a hair cut, get a taxi," he said.
"I think the sky is the limit in terms of potential it just depends on how our members and our community serves these potential customers."
Thousands arriving
At least 2,200 workforce members will descend on the town for the Winter Games, according to VANOC director of operations communications Maureen Douglas.
Approximately 220 local homeowners volunteered to house VANOC workforce, while four hotels have a combined total of 280 rooms reserved for workers.
"We can't always reveal exactly which hotels we're in for a number of competitive business reason but they're all in Squamish," Douglas said.
VANOC also confirmed the Squamish Renaissance retirement residence in downtown Squamish has agreed to open 38 unoccupied rooms to VANOC employees.
Vice-president of operations for the Renaissance Martin Gardner said between 60 and 80 VANOC transit bus drivers will be staying on the premises until early March.
"That it has been pre-approved by all regulatory bodies at this time, including Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Housing and the Assisted Living Registrar," he said.
Douglas confirmed Quest University will house 500 workforce and the Mona Lisa cruise ship will house 1,170 VANOC personnel plus an additional 300 crew members, who are not VANOC employees (see related story).
Workforce staying on the cruise ship and at Quest University will have access to two catered or box-meals per day, courtesy of VANOC, but Douglas said that does not mean the workforce won't be going into town for meals.
"When you have a daily food service people like to take a break from it," she said.
Douglas suggested restaurants consider having flexible hours because the Games-time workforce starts and ends their shifts at practically all hours of the day and night.
"I've been at three Paralympic Games and I don't think I've ever had dinner before 10 p.m.," she said.
VANOC has arranged for one shuttle service to transport cruise ship passengers to the transit depot, downtown and to the shopping district while a second shuttle will take Quest University-based employees to the Queens Way VANOC depot.
The shuttle service is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Starting Wednesday Jan. 27, a visitor's information resource guide will be available at the Adventure Centre, the Squamish Public Library, Brennan Park and at Municipal Hall.
