The replacement of nearly 16,000 seats at
the Coliseum is part of a $C23 million improvement program at Hastings
Park to prepare the venue for the 2010 Winter Games.

The
renovation work at the Coliseum supports VANOC’s commitment of early
venue completion to allow time for testing and to provide Canadian
athletes with two years of training opportunities to help them prepare
for the 2010 Games. The seat replacement at the Coliseum will also
upgrade the facility in time for the 2006 World Junior Hockey
Championships.

“The focus of the Vancouver 2010 venue program is
to provide spectacular theaters for sport for athletes and all Games
participants,�? said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. “By upgrading existing
facilities such as the Pacific Coliseum, we are making a contribution
to community legacies that, in this case, will be enjoyed before and
long after 2010.�?

The scope of the project includes replacement
of 15,863 seats. The work is to be completed by December 1, 2005. The
seat replacement process started with a Request for Proposals that was
posted nationally in February. Four firms submitted proposals.
Following an evaluation that included representatives from VANOC, the
City of Vancouver and the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), The TRACK
Corporation of Michigan was awarded the contract. Much of the removal,
recycling and installation is being done by Centaur Products of
Burnaby, BC while Sheridan Gymnasium of Oakville, Ontario is supplying
the telescopic platforms for some of the lower bowl retractable seating.

The
balance of the improvements of the Pacific Coliseum and Agrodome at
Hastings Park will include building and technical upgrades that will
create superior competition and training conditions for athletes and an
enhanced spectator experience in 2010. These include ice plant
improvements and expansion of the ice surfaces for the Coliseum and
Agrodome to international size as well as mechanical, electrical and
finish to the facilities. All the Hastings Park work is scheduled for
completion by December 2007.

The refurbishment of Hastings Park
facilities are part of a C$620 million investment for 2010 Winter Games
venues funded equally by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia.

“Upgrading
the Coliseum is an example of the tangible and lasting benefits events
like the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championships and 2010 will have for
British Columbians,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “It will be an
important venue for these world-class events, and the improvements will
ensure it continues to be a major centre for sport and community events
well into the future.�?

“Hosting the 2010 Winter Games will bring
tangible benefits to Canada’s developing and high-performance athletes
by leaving a legacy of world-class training and competition venues such
as the Pacific Coliseum,�? said the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of
Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). “As a
major funding partner, the Government of Canada sees the 2010 Winter
Games as a powerful way to reinforce its commitment to sport, increased
physical activity, and healthier lifestyles and communities.�?

“The
Government of Canada is a committed funding partner in ensuring a
successful outcome for the 2010 Winter Games, and will work to maximize
Canadians’ involvement in the Games,” said Don Bell, Member of
Parliament for North Vancouver. “By supporting this improvement
project, we are moving forward on our commitments to the Games.”

“This
is an important community asset with historical significance to the
people of Vancouver,” said Mayor Larry Campbell. “We’re pleased that
through the work of VANOC and the support of our government partners,
we are able to have this building and the Agrodome, upgraded now. As a
result of this work, Vancouver will realize the benefits of the Olympic
Games well before 2010. These improvements will provide the community
with a dramatically improved facility in time for the World Junior
Hockey championships next year.”

VANOC
is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of
the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010.
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler
from February 12 to 28, 2010. Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter
Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.