 HSAL and Vancouver-based REWERX were selected by the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Corporation to conduct public consultation and complete a preliminary social impact assessment (SIA) of the potential impacts of hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Lower Mainland, Sea to Sky Highway and Whistler/ Blackcomb communities, in British Columbia, Canada.
Our research from the outset indicated that the majority of the published material on the impacts of the games was based on 'expected impacts' and was of poor quality - often an ideological rant of the authors rather than empirically sound social science research. Until our study, there was little case study research on the actual impacts of the games. Thus, our research involved extensive literature review based on documented material and primary research based on telephone interviews with past Olympic/Paralympic Bid and Games organizers and community members from around the world going back 20 years. The actual socio-economic effects of Vancouver EXPO (1986) and the Games in Calgary (1988), Lillehammer (1992), Atlanta (1996), Nagano (1998), Sydney (2000) and Salt Lake City (2002) were documented. We wanted to know, 'what really happened'? We also collected hard data characterizing the existing social strengths and weaknesses of all of potentially affected communities in lower mainland British Columbia and communties up to Whistler. Our analysis combined likely actual effects base on the data with empirical data on socio-economic strengths and weaknesses.
REWERX completed a large group and novel facilitation process that allowed us to hear from many types of people in a controlled setting. As a result, we were able to obtain valuable constructive community-based data from many communities stretching from the Fraser Delta, along the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler Blackcomb. Again we found it to be important to separate concerns and fears from factual data about potential benefits and problem areas needing mitigation.
The study was submitted to the International Olympic Committee as part of the City's Bid Book and was instrumental in the City’s successful bid to host both events.
We retain a file of empirical research on the impact of such events.
Expertise:
Project Experience:
Municipal Affairs
Staff:
Dave Hardy
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