royal canadian mint pavilion

photo credit: Richard Wolak

I know it's a little late, but I meant to post this article about the Royal Canadian Mint that Kim Werker wrote. Robert and I worked in the pavilion during the Olympics overseeing the set up, tear down and the day-to-day operations. Originally, the plan was to allow 200 people a day to see and touch the medals. People would go into the medal room, watch a video on how the medals were made, be able to ask questions to an Engineer that actually worked on the medals and then be able to touch and take pictures with them. Well, that went out that window after day one. The Mint expected an attendance of 60,000, so when over 110,000 people came through during the two weeks of the Olympics, they were blown away. With an average wait time of 5 hours and a peak of 10 hours on the weekend, the pavilion was just incredible. Of course, why wouldn't it be? It was one of the few pavilions that were free... one of the only ones with a children's area where they could strike a coin and receive a goodie bag... a coin exchange... interactive displays with a photobooth... pins... the million dollar coin and gold bar exhibit... and of course, the medals.

Due to the overwhelming response, the Royal Canadian Mint reopened a smaller pavilion as part of the Paralympics from March 12-21st, 2010 at the Vancouver Public Library. Scroll to the bottom of Kim's article to read what I had to say about my experience of spending 28 straight days witht he Mint during the 2010 Olympics.

all good things come to an end

Random snapshots of my Vancouver Olympic 2010 experience ...



Running to the corner of West Pender and Seymour to see the flame ...




Men's hockey :: Russiva vs. Latvia





Wandering down Granville Street and Robson Square ...



Royal Canadian Mint...


Pins! ...

a life update

photo credit: Julie C.

Oh yes! The Olympics are in town! Vancouver seems like one big crazy party and the world is invited. I am too young to remember Expo 86, so I can't tell if there was a similar feel, but I have never seen the City like this before. Three years ago, we signed our Olympic contracts and the time has finally arrived. Our home away from home is down at the Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion on Granville Street and West Pender Street. I hear that it is the second most popular exhibit in town, so it is no surprise that there are 3 to 4 hour line ups outside waiting to come in and see the Olympic medals and the million dollar coin. I think that the only wait that beats us is the zipline over at Robson square which is 5 to 6 hours wait time.

I'm trying hard to balance everything that we have going and keep the blog up to date, but with us working 14 hour days from February 3rd straight through to March 3rd, it's getting harder. Yesterday was the half way point. This means that we both completed 200 hours in the past two weeks and have 200 more to go. Needless to say, holiday plans are brewing for March!

Don't worry. It's not just work and no play. I did get to visit the Olympic exhibits on Granville Island, Northern House, catch a men's hockey game and ride the new tram from the Olympic Village. Have you made it to Atlantic House? There is a section up at the Arts Club where you can dress up as Anne of Green Gables complete with dress, hat and a wig with pigtails then go and pose in the living room set. Now, that's a souvenir!