The City of Richmond has selected Cannon Johnston Architecture Inc. to design the home for the long track speed skating competition for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Cannon Johnston will lead a team of architectural and engineering design specialists in designing the Richmond Olympic Oval. The project includes design of a landmark multi-purpose sports, recreation and community facility on Richmond's waterfront along with the new City Centre Waterfront Park and public plaza surrounding the building.

"The Cannon Johnston team has shown that they share our City's vision for the Richmond Olympic Oval," Mayor Malcolm Brodie said Tuesday. "They will help us transform our waterfront and City Centre with a legacy facility and park that will dramatically transform our City. The Oval will meet a number of critical community needs, provide a significant sports legacy and be an outstanding venue for the 2010 Winter Games." Cannon Johnston was involved in the preliminary conceptual design on the Richmond Olympic Oval, completed in response to VANOC's request for proposals on the speed skating facility. Cannon Johnston is an international firm with offices in Vancouver, Victoria and Toronto. It specializes in Olympic and other multi-sport games venues and in community sport and recreation facilities.

Bob Johnston, Cannon Johnston principal and lead project architect, is considered Canada's Olympic Oval expert. His experience includes work on the long track speed skating venues for both the Calgary 1988 and Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games. "This is outstanding opportunity to create one of the premiere venues for the 2010 Games and showcase Canada's design ability." says Johnston. "The Richmond Olympic Oval will combine dramatic design with functionality and provide a lasting legacy for the entire community."