Okanagan Impact On the 2O1O Winter Olympics | BY RON MANZ T
he 21st Winter Olympiad February 12-28th and the 10th Paralympics March 12-21st
guarantee Vancouver and Whistler will be front and center on the world stage. While the focus for the Winter Games will be there, the actual presentation will involve more than just the two host sites. There will be a strong Okanagan connection to these Games as well.
Kelowna International Airport will play a signifi cant role with respect to security. YLW is one of four 2010 Portals along with Calgary, Victoria and Abbotsford. The Integrated Security Unit of the RCMP has mandated that from January 29 to March 24, all airplanes heading to Van- couver must be pre-screened for security purposes. All scheduled commercial fl ights will be taken care of in the normal manner by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. All private planes and business jets though will have to land in one of the portals fi rst for security checks on the planes and pre-screening of all passengers and fl ight personnel before being cleared to land in Vancouver.
“Apron 3 at the north end of our aerodrome will become a temporary screening site,” stated Neil Drachenberg, Airport Safety and Security Manager. “CATSA will utilize portable screening units and when planes land, all passengers and crew must get off with their luggage and undergo a security check. Interna- tional fl ights will have to clear customs fi rst before being screened.”
Pilots will have to pre-book a screening reservation at a portal at
www.2010airportreservations.com
“We are proud to play a role in the trans- portation link that will bring the world to this Olympiad,” added Drachenberg.
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“Being a portal also affords us an opportunity to give people a quick look at what Kelowna and the Okanagan have to offer.”
Kelowna RCMP will also have a signifi cant security presence at these games. No less than 18 offi cers are being deployed as part of the emergency response teams at Whistler and Vancouver and for red serge duties at the opening ceremonies and medal presentations. “About ten percent of our Kelowna detachment will work the Olympics,” said Superinten- dent Bill McKinnon who himself will be in charge of the quick response team at Whistler.
Local fi refi ghters are also involved. Don Glavin, an Airport Operations Specialist, who is also a ‘paid-on-call’ volunteer in the Lake Country Fire Department, is one of four fi refi ghters from that hall heading to Olympic Park at Whistler for a four-day shift Feb. 20 – 24.“We are certifi ed and have met Olympic requirements to work fi re duty at these games, “ pointed out Glavin. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because it’s not every day the Olympics are basically in your own back yard.”
A number of Okanagan businesses are also benefi ting through contracts negotiated with>
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9/24/08 2:02:45 PM WINTER 2010
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