Vancouver residents who took their first, faltering steps on skates at Robson Square will once again be able to tie on the blades at the downtown rink, starting next year.

Premier Gordon Campbell said yesterday that, thanks to a $1.6-million sponsorship deal with U.S. consumer conglomerate GE, the plaza-level rink will be "reinvigorated and revitalized" as a major gathering place in time for the 2010 Olympics.

"I hope this will be the start of what will be a pretty exciting time for Robson Square," said Campbell. "This is the centre of the city in so many ways and to be able to create a real centre of attraction for all the public will be a great thing for 2010."

in the winter of 2008. It was popular with thousands of children between 1982 and 2000.

When it was closed, as a cost-cutting measure, savings were estimated at $50,000 a year.

In 2004, an attempt by Vancouver Coun. Tim Stevenson to get the rink reopened was put on ice.

At that time, the cost of replacing underground pipes was tagged at a cool $750,000.

Since it closed, the rink's concrete base has been used "for dance events and hula-hoop demonstrations," said Campbell.

He said the latest in green technology will be used, including low-voltage lighting and recycled flooring, furniture and fixture materials. Hydrogen fuel-cell technology may be used to provide demonstration power.

During the 2010 Olympics, the rink will be outside a media centre being set up for thousands of unaccredited journalists covering the Games.

GE, a major Olympics sponsor, is giving $1.6 million over three years for the naming rights for the rink. During the winter it will be known as the GE Ice Plaza and in summer simply as GE Plaza.

GE also sponsored the GE Ice Plaza in Turin's Piazza Solferino during the 2006 Winter Games.

© The Vancouver Province 2007