Richmond Olympic Oval awarded "Sustainability Star" for rainwater management and other green features

2010 Winter Games organizers have awarded the Richmond Olympic Oval a “Sustainability Star” for its environmentally-friendly design and construction. “The award recognizes the city's efforts in creating a project with positive and measurable social, economic and environmental assets that are new to the Games,” states Ann Duffy, Vancouver Organizing Committee's corporate sustainability officer.

According to an article published in the Richmond Review, the most well-known feature of the oval is its roof—a 6.5-acre expanse covered by wood from salvaged pine beetle-infested trees. The roof’s membrane material also significantly reduces the heat island effect.

“Other green-building features include a unique storm water management (system), where rain water is re-used in toilets and irrigation, and retained in a landscape pond,” writes Matthew Hoekstra.

The City of Richmond has also committed to nurturing the marshlands and estuary in the vicinity of the Oval and will construct interpretive trails along the waterfront to educate visitors on Richmond’s natural beauty.

About the Richmond Oval

The facility was completed on time and on budget in November 2008, and is on target to achieve LEED Silver Certification.  The facility has been tested and enthusiastically embraced by the elite skaters of the Canadian National Speedskating Team and found to be both an effective venue for the sport and an inspirational space in which the Team can ‘live’ and be in touch with the natural west coast environment.

Posted March 2009