Ever since the Great One (Wayne Gretzky) ran out of BC place last week to light the Olympic Cauldron, this has been one of the most popular spots for visitors and locals alike to go. Located at the foot of Thurlow Street, beside the International Broadcast Centre, thousands of people have wanted to see this iconic symbol of the Olympic Games.
The Cauldron – or more correctly, the fence surrounding it and lack of public access to it – has been controversial. This is the first time in Olympic History that a Cauldron has not been on top of a building or stadium. Security is tight around the International Broadcasting Centre – which is right beside Jack Poole Plaza where the Cauldron is located. VANOC has addressed some of the initial concerns by moving the fence closer, as well as cutting holes in the fence to enable unobstructed photos. They have also opened a viewing platform.
This newly opened viewing platform, which allows you to take overhead, unobstructed shots of the Cauldron, is now open daily from 9.00am to 9.00pm. I asked one of the security team down there about wait times and he said that the line ups can get up to around 30 minutes long. Not too bad really.
If you don’t feel like waiting in another line, my suggesting is to head there early. I was there just before 8.00am this morning and there was only a handful of keeners down there. It’s the Olympics – who has time to sleep in anyway?
12:26 pm
I didn’t know about the new viewing windows and viewing platforms. Much better than staring through a chain-link fence. Thanks for the update!
2:08 pm
Suzanne, you gotta spell The Great One’s name right or risk having your citizenship revoked! It’s GretZky!
1:37 am
GretZky ???
Maybe u meant GREAT-ski
PS – immigration is on their way to your house – get your passport ready
3:36 pm
Oops! That is the Aussie in me coming out. I will update post-haste! Please don’t kick me out :)
10:41 am
Hi there,
Can anyone tell me if the 2010 Olympic Cauldron
going to be staying at the same place after 2010 Olympic is ended.
Thanks.
Kamlin
11:02 am
Hi Kamlin,
To the best of my knowledge, the Cauldron will remain as a legacy of the Games. Not sure if it will still in the identical location as of yet, but it will remain in the City – and in the general area it is now.
Suzanne
1:42 am
Hmmm… still can’t find a picture of it from the water with the city as the backdrop ???
What is it made of ?
After the Olympics ? Maybe on the tip of Stanley Park (sort of lighthouse/welcome flame) OR on top of Grouse Mtn ???