Temporary hostel for visitors and workers in Vancouver during 2010 Winter Games Request posted today for qualified service partners – News Releases – Vancouver 2010
Vancouver, BC — The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will be setting up one or more low-cost temporary hostels for people seeking employment or youth travellers on a limited budget coming to take part in Games-related celebrations who do not have a place to stay during the Games. The temporary hostel(s) help meet a commitment made in the bid for the Games that pressure would not be placed on existing homeless shelters or low-income housing as a result of staging the Games.
“We know from the experience at past Games that as the Games approach, many people, especially young adults, come to the Host City to look for temporary work or to enjoy the atmosphere and fun, and won’t have arranged a place to stay,” said Donna Wilson, VANOC executive vice president, people and sustainability. “We want to minimize any pressure on existing homeless shelters or low-income housing.”
The temporary hostel(s), which will operate from November 15, 2009 through March 15, 2010, will provide basic accommodation and showers for guests. A modest fee will be charged to guests by the hostel operator. An estimated 100 people a night are expected in mid-November, with a peak of around 400 people during the height of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in February, before tapering off again in March. These estimates are based on past demands at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games and have been adjusted to reflect Vancouver’s size, location and temperate climate.
Today, VANOC posted a request for expressions of interest on BC Bid (www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca) from organizations with expertise in operating similar accommodation facilities, along with the space and personnel needed to set up and run the hostel(s). This project has the potential to provide a training and capacity building opportunity for staff and volunteers. Proposals will be accepted until June 22.
After the Games, VANOC and the temporary shelter operator will work to donate furniture and equipment purchased for the hostel(s) to the emergency shelter system.
This project is one way that VANOC is delivering on the Inner-City Inclusivity Commitments —developed during the bid for the Games — to provide alternative forms of temporary accommodation for Winter Games visitors. In addition to this project, last year VANOC contributed funding to the expansion of Covenant House, supporting the creation of 32 new transitional housing beds for youth aged 16 to 22. Primary funding was provided by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver. Covenant House Vancouver is a shelter and resource centre for homeless youth.
About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Please visit www.vancouver2010.com for further details on programs and schedules.
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