Went down to the Richmond Oval for the first time since it opened in December of last year. I had wanted to see the place for myself for a while now, and plus, the oval had free public admission this past weekend for the Richmond Winter Festival of the Arts, so headed down on this beautiful Sunday. There were lots of booths for the kids to play and big ice sculptures too.
Arriving shortly after 3pm and the roads to the oval was packed. There was cars and traffic enforcement everywhere and we couldn’t reach its main parking lot, but fortunately found parking 10 min walking distance away.
It’s a beautiful place I must say, the roof is special since it was made from BC lumber and pine beetle wood. I would’ve loved to skate on the ice but it was way too crowded, maybe another day. This is one heck of a nice building! Speedskating is one of the few events that I wouldn’t mind coming in person to see for the 2010 Olympics!
Starting off with a panorama (click for bigger image)
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Big salmon ice sculptures – must’ve taken a long time!
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Can you see what she’s carving?
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Fraser river as reflected
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Speed skater
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Learning how to skate
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Lots and lots of people skating and waiting to skate
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Live band performances
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Section of the oval dedicated for performances
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It takes two “
Olympias” to re-ice the surface faster!
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Munching on free Cobs bread while waiting for the Olympia to make another round
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While they are usually called Zambonies, we have what’s called the “Olympia” – I guess it’s suitable for the 2010 Olympics
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Cool-looking speed skater mechanical sculpture
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West-facing side of the building
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Richmond Oval on the East side
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February 16th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
haha nice!
I went skating twice now…their rentals are SO painful on my feet for some reason. But yes, absolutely beatiful place!
February 17th, 2009 at 3:31 am
pretty~~~ going there tmr =P
February 18th, 2009 at 12:13 am
a80: Twice already?! Wow I am really behind… did you pay $11/day for admission + rental? Could you use the other courts as well?
kwyc: Hey how was it! Did you go there to skate or sports on the court?
February 18th, 2009 at 10:53 am
first time was when it was still $8 admission + $3 rental. 2nd time was this past wknd when it was free.
I haven’t seen anyone able to use the courts yet… not sure
their rentals really hurt my feet though, pinches my ankle quite a bit so probably won’t go back to skate anytime soon
February 19th, 2009 at 1:40 am
You went this past weekend too! :O I still haven’t met you yet ;-)
Try a bigger size next time! Haha