Chicago 2016 announced today details of its enhanced venue plan that will be submitted to the International Olympic Committee in February 2009.
The enhancements incorporate feedback from the International Federations of sport, the local community, Olympic and Paralympic athletes, national sports federations and various other groups affiliated with the Olympic Movement. Many of the enhancements serve to create a more cohesive and festive Games, as well as a more meaningful legacy for the development of sport and the local community, particularly Chicago’s youth.
“We’ve been hard at work getting insight from key groups on how to strengthen our plan and enhance our vision to create a spectacular Olympic experience for the athletes, spectators and Olympic Family,” said Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick G. Ryan. “We have been equally focused on ensuring that our Games time plans are sensitive to the concerns of the local communities, and that we leave a legacy that is consistent with our commitment to the future of our city, youth and Olympic sport and ideals.”
“One of the main reasons we are pursuing the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games is the legacy that it will leave future generations,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “This enhanced Games plan offers a stronger economic, educational, cultural and more environmentally friendly legacy that will inspire young people to participate in sport through the Olympic Movement.”
Key enhancements to the plan are as follows:
Washington Park
In addition to the Olympic Stadium where athletics will be held, Washington Park would be home to the aquatics venue. The proximity of these venues adds a significant element of community and celebration to the Games. The aquatics facility would feature a permanent warm-up pool and a temporary competition pool, in addition to a diving well and a separate pool and facility for water polo. After the Games, the warm-up pool will remain in Washington Park. The Chicago Park District will own and operate the facility, which will be capable of hosting swim competitions and community programs as well as adaptive and senior programs. The other pools will be relocated to other city parks.
Midway Celebration Site
During the Games, the Midway Plaisance will host a celebration site that complements the activities in Washington Park and Jackson Park, adding an even more inclusive atmosphere to the compact plan. The Midway will provide entertainment for spectators of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, featuring family-oriented kids sport zones where youth can participate in Olympic-related activities. It would also be utilized for the race walk and marathon competitions.
Jackson Park
The decision to shift the location of the Olympic hockey venue within Jackson Park was made in conjunction with the community, taking into consideration the needs of both the sport and the local area. Following the Games, this venue would become a multisport facility featuring artificial turf for use by the community, including nearby Hyde Park Career Academy High School and the Chicago Park District.
Douglas Park
Douglas Park would now be home to a combination of classic and contemporary Olympic and Paralympic events with the addition of a velodrome that would host track and BMX cycling events. At the conclusion of the Games, the velodrome would be transformed into a year-round, multisport facility that will offer a lasting legacy for the West Side community. The facility will be able to accommodate cycling, indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, a fitness center and other sport applications and function as a community entertainment facility. Additionally, one of the pools would be relocated to Douglas Park.
Northerly Island
Perhaps one of the most exciting enhancements to the Chicago 2016 Games plan, Northerly Island is now the proposed site of beach volleyball, sailing and canoe/kayak. The legacy of the Games would maximize the park’s potential by creating an outdoor recreation oasis. In addition to a slalom course, the center will feature a new facility for rafting, kayaking and wall climbing. The combination of activities will create a whitewater sports and education center after the Games unlike anything found in another urban area. The remainder of the island will accommodate courts for beach volleyball. There will also be an opportunity to develop the southern section of Northerly Island into a wetland environment intended promote conservation and increase the bird population.
Sailing would be a temporary facility in Burnham Harbor, a site that would also feature new spectator zones. Post-Games, this area would be left as a center for youth and adaptive sailing.
Olympic Village
The Olympic Village is at the heart of the Games plan. Utilizing the current Michael Reese Hospital property enhances the Village design from the version proposed in the domestic phase of the bid. This Michael Reese property will be used in addition to the land just south of McCormick Place. The proposed Village site provides ample space for developing a world-class community that is sustainable and accessible, and provides a comfortable environment for athletes, enabling them to perform at their highest levels. After the Games, the Village would become a mixed-used neighborhood along the lakefront on the city’s near South Side that will provide affordable housing and anchor the transformation of the area.
“As we refined our Games plan, we have been extremely cognizant of the needs of the city, its residents and neighborhoods. We have presented a responsible bid from the very beginning and believe the one you see today is even more socially, economically and environmentally responsible and ensures an enduring legacy for youth and sport in Chicago,” said Doug Arnot, senior vice president of sport, venues and Games operations at Chicago 2016.
“The Chicago Park District worked very closely with Chicago 2016 in making sure the locations selected for Olympic and Paralympic venues are ideal for both the immediate Games experience and for the future development of Chicago’s communities,” said Timothy J. Mitchell, the chief executive officer and general superintendent of the Chicago Park District. “We are pleased to witness their strong commitment to youth and future growth of the city, as all venues have been strategically positioned and designed to enhance the communities surrounding them.”
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