IOC nixes cruise ship housing for 2010 Games

Jason · September 29, 2006

Source: John Alexander, CTV Vancouver

Plans to use a cruise ship to house some 1,600 journalists at the 2010 Winter Games have bottomed out.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) rejected the cruise ship proposal, but the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) is looking for more beds, while it also says it will continue to look at this "unique" option.

"Cruise ship accommodation in Squamish is a creative and sustainable

accommodation option," said Terry Wright, VANOC's executive vice president of

service operations and ceremonies, in a new release issued Wednesday.

The cruise ship was to be docked in Howe Sound near Squamish, a mid-point between the two main venues of the 2010 Winter Games, Whistler and Vancouver.

Journalists would be bused in to the media centre in Whistler every day.

Squamish, a city of 15,000, is expected to boom during the lead up to the Games, as more businesses and development move into the area.

Mayor Ian Sutherland was looking forward to the economic boost, and he doesn't believe the cruise ship idea is totally sunk.

Regardless, Sutherland says Squamish may yet be able to help. The town's current building boom may supply it with enough money to complete the expansion of Capilano College by 2010, providing temporary dorms for the press.

"Media people tend to spend a lot of money in a community, they like to have a good time when they're not working, which is all fun stuff for us. It would be a lot of exposure that would be lost for the community, you know, people walking around taking background shots," Sutherland said.

"There's lots of good reasons to be here and when all is said and done I think the media will be here in 2010."

Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed isn't as optimistic. He says there's no room left in his town.

"We don't have room today to put everybody up," Melamed said. "After we've looked after the Olympic family and friends, the residents who want to stay here and want to occupy their own properties and sort of other Olympic needs; the media contingent was not programmed into our existing mix."

The housing shortage has been an on-going predicament for VANOC.

Hotels and resorts are restricted from booking rooms for the games until 2008, but some hotels like the Fairmont Chateau Whistler already have waiting lists for reservations, despite the four-year wait until the Games.

hazelson · September 30, 2006

The whole thing is being run by idiots - you wouldn't believe what the budget overruns are already. Squamish is a very small town - I lived there for several years - but they would definately be able to handle a cruise ship - it has a great harbour area - and the downtown core is small and easy accessible. I can imagine the press would love the accomodations as well.

There has been so much squabbling and nitpicking already - every night on the local news its something else. Should be fun to watch the next few years :grin:

Mebert · September 30, 2006

If they use a cruise ship for the Olympians, it's time for me to try out for the Olympics. :grin: :grin:

hazelson · October 3, 2006

How about a new Olympic contest - like "Buffet Budging" or "The Cruiseship Bar Triathalon" - we could all enter those ones lol.

Mebert · October 3, 2006

hazelson,

What a great idea. Send that idea in to the IOC so they can get it in on time for the Olympics. I think all Cruise Crazies would qualify. :grin: :grin: :grin: