News - Local News

POSTED: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

Seminar focuses on impacts of Vancouver Games

Legacy was the key word at a Vancouver 2010 Olympics seminar at Western Washington University on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Representatives from businesses, organizations and government from both sides of the border attended the meeting to discuss the upcoming Winter Games in and around Vancouver, B.C. Also in attendance were representatives from WWU's Center for Canadian-American Studies and Border Policy Research Institute and other school officials.

Opening speaker U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, was positive not only about the Games, which begin Feb.12, but what would happen when they're over.

"We're prepared to help and support those games," he said. "Those preparations will help us leave a legacy to build on in the future."

That legacy could include better security, improved cross-border relationships and increased tourism for the region, Larsen said.

The Olympics Coordination Center in north Bellingham was an example of something created for the Olympics that will still be useful for years to come. The center is a place for local, state and federal agencies to gather when facing health, environmental or public safety crises in Whatcom County.

Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike said he and his staff have been talking to the police department, tourism coordinators and emergency management officials to get prepared for whatever might happen during the Olympics.

Officials think Whatcom County will see traffic from people heading to the games, but most people will be staying in Vancouver, B.C.

"It's just about making sure we're prepared for the attention, good and bad, that can come from an event like that," Pike said. "We'll be getting attention from the rest of the world. I want to make sure that where it makes sense to do so, we can leverage that attention."