The 2010 Winter Olympics host city Vancouver is expected to turn out to be a fun city during the games, according to the mayor who announced the LiveCity program Wednesday. The program designates two party plazas in Vancouver's central areas for a huge number of Olympic visitors, a move which Gregor Robertson hopes could change the city's "no-fun" image.
"It will be the final nail in that coffin," said the mayor. "This is not a 'no-fun' city. I think we'll demonstrate that in spades at the Olympics."
Beer and wine will be allowed at LiveCity Downtown, one of the two Olympic live sites, Gregor Robertson said.
"The downtown site is more for food and drink," said Robertson. "We'll have some alcohol, so people can stop by between events, have a glass of wine and watch some events on the big screens there."
The downtown site will have a capacity of 3,000 people and include some pavilions featuring Canadian natural beauty and art.
LiveCity Yaletown, another live site, will accommodate 10,000 people and be a no-alcohol zone. It will stage activities organized by sponsors and a variety of live concerts.
"The Yaletown site will be more of a celebration site with big festivities and lots of live music," the mayor said.
Early plans called for both sites to be "family-friendly" and alcohol-free.
The Vancouver Winter Olympics will be held on Feb. 12 next year and the Yaletown is reported to host the Olympic torch relay on Feb. 11, the night before the opening ceremony.