The Place is Packed and Rocking - at 5:00 in the Afternoon!

Well, the early reviews are in, and people are digging the Saskatchewan Pavilion big time!

Folks started streaming in when the doors opened at 11:00 a.m. and the dance floor was packed and hopping right up until closing time. The green screen experience, where you can get a picture of yourself "virtually" in Saskatchewan, has been a mega hit. I need to get a snap of me with one of those sweet big fish, but I think I'll wait until the line goes down a bit.

Not sure what I did to deserve such good fortune, but the stars all aligned and I got to take in the Opening Ceremonies at BC Place Stadium. WOW. The artistry, the emotion, the feeling of

patriotism and community - it was impossible to be in that room and not be touched and moved.

Lineups going in were fast, coming out took a little longer and felt a little damper. We didn't stay wet for long once we got back to the Pavilion, where Saskatoon's Mobadass and Regina's Def 3 had the joint jumping. By way of evidence, I present to you a short glimpse of the conga line:

Talked to a gal today who runs a downtown club; she told us that last night her friends and staff were texting her constantly about how the Saskatchewan Pavilion was rockin' and was the best place to be - the word is out!

Okay, a guy's gotta eat - more tomorrow,

/Les

Vancouver is buzzing! And we're not even open yet!

The Pavilion Team has been hard at it, putting the finishing touches on what is going to be one of the funnest places to be during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Testing of the projection system in the Saskatchewan Pavilion's Experience Center has been successful. Every night during the Games, images of Saskatchewan will be projected onto the dome, and will be visible from much of downtown Vancouver. How cool is that?

Next door in the Entertainment Center, the stage is set (literally), the food and drink areas are almost ready, and beautiful Saskatchewan images are in place along the walls. Lots of photos to come once the place is all spiffy and good to go.

Your humble correspondent heads out tomorrow - I'll be reporting daily on all things Pavilion and beyond. Wherever Saskatchewan is making an impression on Vancouver and on the world, we'll be there to let keep you in the loop.

OK, gotta pack. Let's see: suitcase, laptop, rain gear - I wonder if they would like me to bring any of this top-notch Saskatchewan snow along with me? Darn stuff doesn't travel that well, unfortunately...

/Les

(almost) at the Pavilion

A Week Away!

Time is flying and the Vancouver 2010 winter games are just a week away. Construction of the Saskatchewan Pavilion is right on schedule.

The domed Experience Center was successfully inflated this week, and the Entertainment Center is getting all gussied up and will be ready to welcome visitors from around the world next week.

Athletes, coaches and officials have begun descending on Vancouver, and organizers continue to frantically more snow around Cypress Mountain.

Stay tuned - I'll be updating as the preparations continue, and will be reporting, tweeting and Facebooking several times per day from Vancouver starting February 11.

It's going to be a blast!
/Les

Regina Torch Relay Celebrations

Along with 37 other Saskatchewan communities, Regina is gearing up to welcome the Olympic torch as it makes its way through the province. Torch Relay-related events begin at 1:00, Saturday, January 9 in Regina - find out more on Facebook.

Right in the Center of all the Action

We've got some cool pictures of the Saskatchewan Pavilion being constructed in downtown Vancouver (thanks, Angela!). The roof of the clear-span structure is in place, with a great big Saskatchewan Pavilion logo clearly visible across False Creek.

The dome part of our pavilion won't go up for a while yet, but in these pictures you can see that the Saskatchewan Pavilion is just steps away from the Hockey House Pavilion (which will be a HUGE attraction), and the giant cube-shaped Quebec pavilion. Ontario's will also be in the same area.

And they are all really close to BC Place Stadium and GM Place, both major hubs of activities during the games.

/Les

Website coming along

We've been slaving away on the Pavilion site, which is coming along nicely. Lots of Torch Relay photos and stories being added this weekend, and lots more to come as the Games approach.

Check it out here: http://www.saskpavilion.ca/

/Les

Gearing up for the Winter Games

Les from Tourism Saskatchewan here. I'll be blogging about Saskatchewan's activities leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. The second visit of the Torch Relay happens January 9-12; we'll be posting tons of images and stories on http://www.saskpavilion.ca as the torch makes its way through our Province.

We'll also keep you updated on the events, activities and FUN that will be going on at the Saskatchewan Pavilion. Located just off False Creek, the Saskatchewan Pavilion will show off Saskatchewan's tourism assets, business opportunities and quality of life. It's also going to be a great place to visit, socialize, and hear great Saskatchewan music.

Stay tuned - lots more to come...
/Les