Wow, wasn’t that a party?
Back in my Dec. 19, 24 hours column I wrote that the success of Vancouver’s Games would be measured by how many local citizens get out and enjoy the free attractions.
That prediction not only turned out to be right, IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge said that no city in history embraced the Games like we did.
To me, there were many highlights and few disappointments. However, one venue I felt missed the mark was Vancouver House – the Host City’s showcase pavilion tucked away in a corner of LiveCity Yaletown.
Several expressed frustration about arriving at Vancouver House, only to learn that a private party would exclude them from entering.
Inside sources indicate the venue was originally scheduled to host five events closed to the public. In the end. more than 30 private parties took place there.
The paper trail on Vancouver’s showcase pavilion is one littered by political meddling, last-minute changes, and wasted tax dollars.
What Vancouver House was going to be was a showcase for the Host City.
What Vancouver House became was a corporate brochure for Mayor Gregor Robertson’s misguided “Green Capital” marketing concept.
Minutes from a Vancouver Library board meeting last March describe the original plan like this: “Vancouver House will be an inclusive, interactive experience in the Central Library promenade and will be open to the public from February 5th until February 28th.”
In fact, the VPL determined that it would be an opportunity to show off local writers as well: “The Bookmark store will partner with the Book Publishers of B.C. to highlight published books from B.C. during the Games.”
Designs for the exterior of the iconic library building featured stunning light art and video displays.
In spite of months of
design, planning and preparations, none of this would become reality.
Described as a “major pillar” by City Hall of Vancouver’s 2010 celebration program, it was determined last July that for “security reasons” the library wouldn’t work.
Instead, it would be located at LiveCity Downtown, the secure encampment on Georgia Street.
Then Mayor Robertson brought on new designers Haymaker Creative.
After throwing out Robertson’s original concept around homelessness, Haymaker’s 11th hour scheme was to focus on green enterprise.
And instead of keeping the pavilion on Georgia Street – where it would be open for the Paralympic Games – it was moved to LiveCity Yaletown, which closed its doors Sunday night.
Vancouver House became a non-interactive venue, with video loops of talking heads pumped about green business opportunities.
In all the content, there was no reference to what really makes Vancouver great – its history, its neighbourhoods, or its people.
Vancouver House would have been more interesting, and less expensive, if it was burned onto a CD and handed out by volunteers.
Perhaps most disappointing in all this is the fact that Vancouver will not have a representative pavilion during the Paralympic Games. Canada and B.C. will, but not the Host City.
Vancouver likes to preach about being the most inclusive city on Earth. But only, it seems, if you’re on the Mayor’s party invitation list.
Check out CityCaucus. com/paralympics for a guide to free activities during the 2010 Paralympic Games.
