Figure Skating - Next Stop and 2010 Schedule - by Anne Shier (a.k.a. "Annie")

(Based on the book, “Winter Olympics:  An Insider’s Guide to the Legends, the Lore, and the Games”, Vancouver Edition, copyright 2008 by Ron C. Judd)

copyright 2014, Anne Shier.  All rights reserved.

Location:	Hastings Park, Vancouver, B.C.
Spectator capacity:	14,239
Elevation:	26 metres (85 feet)
Other events:	Short-track speedskating
Medal ceremonies:	B.C. Place Stadium

The revamped Pacific Coliseum and surrounding Hastings Park are no strangers to big crowds.  This is the primary big-events centre on the city’s east side, and with its proximity to Highway 1 and major thoroughfares, it’s well served by public transportation.  The Coliseum is the current home of the Vancouver Giants junior hockey team, and Hastings Park is the site of the annual Pacific National Exhibition, the city’s summer fair, which attracts up to 60,000 people per day.

Like its predecessor, the remodeled Palavela in downtown Turin, Italy, Pacific Coliseum will serve as a dual-role venue, hosting figure skating and short-track speedskating.  That setup has worked well at previous Games, including the Turin Olympics.  But the Coliseum, from a seating standpoint, will be nearly twice as large as the Palavela, which seated only 8,250 fans.

Vancouver’s revamped ice stadium will continue to serve as a venue for hockey, ice shows, concerts, basketball, boxing, and trade shows after the 2010 Games.

Figure Skating 2010 Schedule:

February 14:	Pairs short program
February 15:	Pairs free skate
February 16:	Men’s short program
February 18:	Men’s free skate
February 19:	Ice Dancing compulsories
February 21:	Ice Dancing original dance
February 22:	Ice Dancing free dance
February 23:	Women’s short program
February 25:	Women’s free skate
February 27:	Exhibition