Water-themed ceremony will feature a liquid stage in BC Place, marine creatures and an all-star cast, organizers’ plans reveal
Becky Soler
Sun
A marine extravaganza exalting Vancouver’s coastal climate is the theme for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, The Vancouver Sun has learned.
The information is disclosed in a copy of the Vancouver Organizing Committee’s (Vanoc) preliminary plans for the massive event Feb. 12, 2010, which will be televised and webcast around the globe. The 107-page document, entitled A Wet Welcome: 2010 Millimetres of Rain, was intended only for internal circulation, but a confidential source leaked the program to The Sun Friday.
Vanoc representatives refused to comment on the report.
The most dramatic component is the intention to flood B.C. Place with salt water pumped in directly from False Creek, creating a liquid stage.
The report states that once construction is completed on the RAV line, crews will use a similar procedure to build aqueducts that allow water to flow into the enormous basin and back again.
According to the complex mathematical figures, B.C. Place will hold a whopping 5,944,000 litres of water, the capacity of 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This enables a depth of 15 metres, the minimum requirement to accommodate the “cross-section of Pacific marine life” that will inhabit the mini-sea for the ceremonies. The entire lower deck of the stadium will be submerged.
“They flooded the Colosseum in ancient Rome, when they staged great naval battles for sport, so they can easily pull it off at B.C. Place,” says Dr. Jacob Stevenson, professor of aquatic engineering at the University of B.C. “The structure is already primed to seal in water with all those air locks.”
The working slogan of the Olympics is: “Soak up the Spirit.”
In keeping with Vanoc’s commitment to sustainability, the basin will be full of petri-dish cultivated salmon.
The lavish three-hour performance, as envisioned by Vanoc’s team of expert event planners, begins in utter silence and darkness, simulating the birth of life itself.
Suddenly, a spotlight illuminates the mascot — a buoyant, rotund raindrop called Howdy Dew — who floats quietly into the centre of the stadium. When he reaches the epicentre, native drumming becomes audible, “slowly building to a frenzy,” as a band of Coast Salish aboriginals led by Canadian singer Buffy Sainte Marie engage in a rain dance on the jumbotron.
“This symbolizes the modern marriage of technology and tradition,” the document says.
When the volume reaches what the report terms “just shy of of headache-inducing,” Howdy Dew will be whisked on invisible cables to the roof of the closed dome. His arrival there will trigger a realistic rainstorm, which will cascade into the pool but spare the spectators.
“I can’t really give away much, other than the fact that Butchart Gardens is generously donating a number of hoses for the project,” says Jaynie Starr of Fraser Fire Extinguishing Ltd., the company contracted to install the intricate web of hoses that will emit the downpour.
A huge thunderclap and blinding flash of lightning will abruptly end this typical February shower. Simultaneously, a state-of-the-art laser beam will focus on Howdy Dew, melting away the exterior layer of the costume to reveal a brilliant sun beneath.
“Likewise, the temperature inside B.C. Place will then rise from a chilly eight degrees to a comfortable 12,” the report states.
A rainbow — an homage to the pride flag and Canada’s liberal stance on same-sex marriage — will arc from the sun to the water, where the marine life is suddenly illuminated by underwater lights.
“The Voice of British Columbia” booms from above — possible candidates mentioned in the report are Silken Laumann, Bryan Adams and Tamara Taggart — narrating as a parade of local legends navigate the glowing waters. These include: Ogopogo chased by Stockwell Day on a Sea-doo, a Sasquatch reclining in a BC Ferries life ring, the mountain pine beetle coasting on a blue pine raft and David Suzuki on waterskis made from recycled pop cans, pulled by a speedboat that draws trace molecules of carbon monoxide gas from the air and converts them to green fuel (pending invention).
“Although, extreme caution must be exercised with motorized vehicles, considering what happened to Luna,” the report adds.
At the end of the parade is Ladysmith beauty Pamela Anderson, clad in a mermaid tail, dragging five seals (borrowed from the Vancouver Aquarium). The well-trained seals dangle limply on chains, looking dead, until Pamela kisses each and removes the shackles, symbolizing her abhorrence of Canada’s seal hunt. The animals spring to life and leap through five flaming Olympic rings to freedom.
Cue flag-bearing delegations from participating countries, which row in on culturally relevant vessels: Scandinavians in a Viking ship, the Chinese in a dragon boat, Brits in a yellow submarine and Americans on a military aircraft carrier.
They unite to form the outline of a big inukshuk.
“At this moment, the visuals climax to a frantic festival of cliches. Think Canadian history on ecstasy,” the report says.
Susan Aglukark and Burton Cummings launch into a feel-good duet that combines O Siem with Share the Land. As Aglukark intones the lyrics “we are all family, we’re all the same,” the inukshuk spins, propelled by a school of dolphins that swims the perimeter of the pool. A simulated earthquake provides extra excitement, and strobe lights capture Cirque du Soleil gymnasts, who dive from the nosebleed section into the living soup. Margaret Atwood raps an excerpt from The Handmaid’s Tale. Meanwhile, Mounties ride killer whales through the turbulent waters. Actors portraying Generals Montcalm and Wolfe dunk each other.
“Lifeguards from Kits pool will be on hand to resuscitate performers and wildlife in the event of an emergency,” the report says.
This whirlpool of activity is halted by a Nunavut-inspired blast of arctic air, which is partially designed to jolt the dizzy audience. Snowflakes descend from the dome as Anne Murray rises from beneath the waters on the Olympic pedestal, singing Snowbird. The ever-present rainbow terminates on her soaking wet white dress. In her hands is the proverbial pot of gold.
Murray, one of our national treasures, is indeed holding treasure: the gold medals.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006