The public has a few days left to try their hand at an Olympic sport in Richmond, B.C. The speed skating oval is making some big changes, and come Tuesday the track used in the 2010 Games will be just a memory.
On Saturday, one much-maligned Olympic tradition lived on -- standing in long lineups to get into a venue.
Participants came out to the Richmond Oval at 6111 River Road to take a spin on the same ice that saw Olympic history made – including Christine Nesbitt's gold medal win in the 1000 metre skate.
But next week, the facility will be overhauled into a sports, health and wellness centre.
General Manager Dave Mills told CTV News he's excited about the venue's future contribution to the city.
"I think the mayor and council have created something on an Olympic scale here, and the world saw that during the Games," he said.
The facility will feature a 23,000-square-foot fitness centre, two ice sheets a track, hardwood and rubber courts, and studio space for yoga, cycling and rowing classes.
But it may never host another 400-metre, Olympic-sized skating track again – which is why so many people took the opportunity to hit the ice this weekend.
The track will be open to the public again on Sunday and Monday between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., for a $2 admission.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's David Kincaid
