With 65+ venues, sites and facilities for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, there will be extreme volumes of people moving through out the greater Vancouver area from February 12th through to February 28th. It is expected that 5,500 athletes and officials will be present, with an additional 10,000 media. The workforce is expected to top 55,000, with an additional 60,000-135,000 spectators per day for the Vancouver events. At the Vancouver celebration sites alone, there will be 60,000 spectators per day. With these incredible volumes and movement of people throughout the Vancouver area, the Games venues and other large special events have specific operational requirements, including a significant staging space and security requirements.

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will mean a significant increase in activity on city streets with reduced road capacity in areas surrounding and connecting venues, especially in the downtown core. Games-time operations will reduce the capacity of the local road network in downtown by 50% from the east, with an overall decrease into downtown by 20%. For Games officials, athletes, spectators as well as the general public, measures have been implemented to ensure your safe arrival at Games venues and travel through out the city, specific road closures will include:
Expo and Pacific Boulevards
Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts
Quebec Street (between Terminal Street and Second Avenue)
Canada Place and Waterfront Road
Midlothian Avenue (between Dinmont Avenue and Ontario Street)
Renfrew Street (between Hastings Street East and McGill Street).

The venue sites will operate as a closed area to all except ticket holders, workers and officials. The roads around these venues, mentioned above, will be closed 24hours per day.

For drivers, the downtown core will be most affected. In addition to the road closures and venue closures mentioned above, pedestrian corridors will run throughout the downtown area, operating from NOON to MIDNIGHT each day. There will be 32 blocks of pedestrian corridors, including;
Granville Street (from Helmcken to West Hastings Street)
Robson Street (from Beatty Street to Jervis Street)
Hamilton Street (from Drake Street to Georgia Street)
Beatty Street (from Smithe Street to Dunsmuir Street).

While these pedestrian corridors will facilitate safe passage of spectators and residents, alike, they will impede people attempting to move through the downtown core for business or for travel purposes. I suggest public transit for visiting travelers. The new Canada Line will cost effectively and efficiently move travelers who arrive at the Vancouver International Airport to downtown locations and those South of the Lions Gate Bridge. For those who need to access the North Shore and Whistler, there will be an additional number of taxis added to the current service. According to city officials, the exact number is yet to be determined.

As we approach February 2010, watch for the opening of the Olympic Lanes. There will be 170 blocks of TransLink busses and Olympic-accredited vehicles operating 24hours per day, seven days per week. These lanes will provide reliable travel for athletes, officials, spectators, Games workforce and transit riders.

With the best efforts being made to serve the greater good of the Games, I wish you all the best in your efforts to get where you need to go while in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. If you need more information on the above described road closures, please visit this link:

The image has evolved into a symbol of leadership, cooperation, friendship and the human spirit. The stones used to create an inukshuk are secured through balance. Each stone supports the one above and is supported by the one below. Together the stones achieve strength through unity. A group can achieve greater success with cooperation and team effort rather than individuality.

These are certainly ideas that set a wonderful tone for a tremendous event such as the Winter Olympics. Ideally the Olympics inspire us all to live greater lives and living within a paradigm including what the inukshuk represents would create a better world.

The Vancouver Winter Olympics inukshuk logo was chosen out of 16,000 entries from across Canada. Vancouver based Elena Rivera MacGregor and her team of designers entered the inukshuk logo and were chosen by an International panel of 9 judges.

One of the many advantages of renting a vacation home is that it is like having a private resort all to your and your family at a great price. Picture yourself enjoying your holiday with all the comforts of home, with easy access to the Olympic events.
Why live out of a suitcase, with the family crammed into a hotel room “suite” when you can rent a private home, in many cases, less money.

A vacation home is such a great option for the family that wants to vacation together.
When you choose a vacation home, you pay a flat fee for the entire house instead of per person or per room as you would in a hotel. Moreover, you avoid all the extra charges, service fees, tipping and restaurant costs that soon run your budget out of control and add unneeded stress to your vacation.

Fully Equipped Kitchen

Eating out is great, but after a few days, eating out for three meals a day is expensive, time consuming, and can become monotonous. A fully equipped kitchen is such a benefit for a family vacation.

Even if hotels advertise a fully equipped kitchen, heating food on Styrofoam plates is not great. Vacation home kitchens have all of the amenities of home, which makes traveling with young children and teenagers so much easier and less expensive. A proper kitchen allows you to entertain, prepare a picnic lunch, or just have a leisurely meal– maybe by a pool, watch the sunset over the ocean, or enjoy the breeze out on the patio or deck.

To manage costs, stock the pantry with items you know your family will consume in the time you are there. You can buy convenience foods for breakfast, lunch and snacks then eat dinners out. In the evening, you have the choice of going out for a relaxing dinner, or if you are feeling tranquil, you can just stay home and throw something on the grill for dinner.

Just think how much it costs to buy one soda for each family member at your hotel or resort. Compare that to the price of a case of soda at the grocery store in that town. When you are lazing on the deck, you can have one of the kids run in, get you a soda, and not even have to tip them!

More Space

Space Privacy and Relaxation

We all want to spend time with our family and friends when we travel, but we all need a little space for everyone to be happy. A 300 square foot hotel room can be uncomfortable and confining for a family or group, especially if your stay lasts more than a few days.

Vacation homes give you room to roam. If you are paying to be away on vacation, you need not settle for less than the comforts and conveniences of your own home. While staying at a private vacation home you will not be secretly wishing, even for a minute, that you could be back in your own house.

One of the worst parts of a vacation can be living out of a suitcase and having to spend all your inside time, usually in one room. When you rent a home, you can unpack, hang things up and feel at home.

Parents deserve a vacation too! Often you end up working harder while on vacation, than when you are at home. Private vacation homes give you a chance to find quiet time and something relaxing and enjoyable to do for yourself so you feel like you actually had a vacation.

While some are in the living room, others can be watching TV in bedrooms and still others can be enjoying the outside porch backyard or patio.

When you stay in a private home, once the kids are asleep, parents can go out on the deck or backyard to enjoy a little peace and quiet, knowing that your children are safely asleep just inside the house. So much better than being trapped in a hotel room trying to stay quiet, not even being able to turn on the TV for fear of waking the children.

In your private home you can sleep late, play your TV or music without disturbing anyone in the next room, or having anyone disturb you.

A vacation home is an easy choice: Spacious, relaxing, and comfortable. The kids spread out safely in their own space, while you enjoy all the amenities conveniences of being in a home. The family will enjoy a truly relaxing and memorable vacation together. Once you experience vacation home rentals for your family, you may never take any other type of vacation again.

If you add an agent into the equation you may minimize some of the worry. While many web based businesses are available to list your home for rent for the Olympics, few offer a full service package to simplify your role in the rental. VanAccom is a rental agency which is currently specializing in Vancouver properties for rent for the 2010 winter Olympic Games. It may be worth your while to visit the website to view first hand some of the services provided. Vancouver 2010 rentals

Before you take the first step towards renting out your home, here are a few things for you to consider. You must be the Legal Owner of the property to take advantage of this rare business opportunity the Vancouver winter Olympics brings to home owners. There will be considerable work involved for the home owner to prepare the home for guests. For example, the home must be clear of any family memorabilia. This will help the guest to feel more at home during their stay. A complete cleaning will be necessary prior to the guest arriving. The home will offer cooking and eating utensils, plates, cookware, as well as two complete sets of matching sheets for each bed, two complete sets of towels for each guest, up to a maximum of guests authorized to use the property.

Preparing the home for rental involves emptying the drawers and closets to provide the guest with space for their belongings. The fridge will need to be clean and empty. Firewood, propane, dish and laundry soap, liquid hand soap all must be provided by the owner. It is the owner’s responsibility to provide regular maintenance of the property, including landscaping necessary during the guest’s stay. A telephone must be provided for the guest’s use. A long distance block can be placed on the telephone, to avoid any long distance charges. It is advisable to provide a “Home Users Manual” for the guest to answer any questions with regards to the property. One of the benefits of working through an agent is that the agent will provide a ‘guide’ for completing the manual. This manual will include the names and numbers of two representatives of the home owner so the guest can contact the representative in the event of an emergency repair. Again, this is another advantage in working with a property agent.

In door plants and pets are often concerns of home owners when deciding to rent out their property. No pets may be left on the property during the rental and the home owner will be responsible for all indoor plants. A plant service may be employed to look after house plants, so it will not be the responsibility of the guest.

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the owner is responsible for ensuring that the property is maintained and ready at a “hotel clean standard” for all guests.

While this article may not address all of your concerns on how to prepare your home for rent during the 2010 winter Olympic Games, it does give you some idea of the standard expected and the work required to present the home. If you have additional questions on preparing your home for rent, you can call an agent directly. VanAccom will be happy to answer your questions and can be reached directly by phoning 778-YOU-RENT. Vancouver Olympic Rentals

With the Vancouver Olympics rapidly approaching, comes an increase of spectators scrambling to find accommodation in what is in many cases an unfamiliar city. The hotels close to downtown are full and the outlying hotels are pricey. There are several websites with houses and condos available, but is it too risky to pay a homeowner a big deposit months before the arrival date?

Many of the websites are simply “billboards”, placing ads for homeowners. There is not a person to navigate you through the many properties. Are they accurately portrayed? What’s to say the place will be as you expect it, or even be available when you arrive? Yikes!

Here’s a great option, that will put all these concerns to rest. VanAccom.com is a website and boutique company currently specializing in the Olympics and beyond. This is a vacation rental company with local owners and employees, ensuring a smooth house or condo rental.

What makes using VanAccom.com easier and more secure for you?

1) When you’re trying to figure out where you should stay, you can email VanAccom with your requirements, and they will respond with recommendations of properties that would suit your needs.

2) The properties will not be rented to you without VanAccom personally verifying the property to ensure it is accurately presented.

3) As a licenced travel agent, VanAccom is required to keep the deposits and payments in a trust account until the renters have left the property. The homeowners are paid after the property has been rented.

4) There is a legal contract with the owners, obligating them to have the property available in pre-specified condition when the renter arrives.

5) Your key will be dropped off upon arrival and picked up when you leave.

6) If there is any sort of emergency with the property, VanAccom will be on hand to deal with the situation.

How do you go about renting with VanAccom?

1) Go to VanAccom.com and get an idea of what’s available. If you are looking for a larger place for a group or family, sort by “houses”. If you are a smaller group, you may want to sort by “condos”.

2) Send VanAccom an email or call. You can simply press “contact us” on the website to send an email, or call us at (778) 968-7368. It is helpful if you give us as much information as possible. Here are the important details to include:

-Number of people ie. 6 people
-Description of group ie. 2 couples and 2 children 10 and 12 years old
-Arrival and departure dates (minimum 1 week stay)
-Approximate budget/night
-Any properties that may interest you

3) We will send you some recommendations

4) Ask us any questions you may have. Once you select a property, we will verify it’s availability, then send you and the property owner a contract that binds you to the agreement.

5) To secure the property, you will send us the deposit, which we will hold in trust until after you have stayed in the property (VanAccom and the homeowner do not get paid until after you have rented the property).

6) The remainder of the rent and the 10% damage deposit are due 45 days before arrival. Again, this money is held in trust until after the rental period.

7) We will return the damage deposit, assuming there has been no damage, within 30 days of you departure.

Visit our website: www.vanaccom.com and you’ll see a large variety of properties close to Olympic venues. Send us an email or give us a call, and we will help you find a rental that best suits your needs.

It is relatively easy to list your home with VanAccom.com. First step is to visit the website: www.VanAccom.com.
Once on the website, take some time to visit the inventory and read about VanAccom in the “about us” section. Most importantly, view the services provided for home owners under the “List Your Property with us” page. Follow this link: (http://www.vanaccom.com/list_property_full_service.php ).

VanAccom is a full service rental agency. Once you have made contact with VanAccom either through email (rent@VanAccom.com) or phone (778-you-rent) you have taken the first step. You are under no obligation to list your property with VanAccom until VanAccom brings you an offer. Your home will be placed in the VanAccom inventory pool and marketed for the time period your property is available. Once you decide to proceed with a rental VanAccom will facilitate the contract process between you, the home owner and the renter and will work on your behalf to get you the best possible contract. Once the contract is signed, VanAccom will look after your property with minimal involvement on your part. Every attempt will be made to make your Olympic rental experience a hassle-free experience for you.

VanAccom is a full service rental company. The services include:

1. Management of all payment installments

2. Negotiation of the rental contract

3. Personal contact with you, the home owner

4. A video recording of your home prior to the arrival of the renter

5. Check in and key transfer for renters including a property tour and discussion of any particulars deemed necessary by the home owner

6. Manage the security deposit upon check in

7. Periodic checks of the property throughout the duration of the rental contract

8. Check out of renters and key transfer back to VanAccom

9. Video recording of the property upon checkout

10. Management of the damage deposit on behalf of the property owner

VanAccom is a commission based company. For the Olympic Services the commission is 25% of the rental contract. There may be opportunities to rent out your home outside of the Olympic window. For those interested in renting us your property during other periods, please give VanAccom a call to set up your individual rental contract. (778-You-Rent).

For Vancouverites, the 2010 winter Olympic Games will offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to invite the world to our door. Let VanAccom assist you in opening your door to the world.

If you are one of these lucky ticket holders, you may be at the stage of trying to find a place to stay during this exciting event. With hotels nearly at capacity, there are some great options for lodging. Vancouver has relaxed its bylaws, allowing for homeowners to rent out their homes during the Games. This is a great option, given that this type of accommodation is generally more spacious, with a kitchen and the comforts of home. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you search for the perfect home away from home.

Which part of town you would like to stay in is often a challenge to decipher when you are not familiar with a city. Downtown will be the most expensive lodging and is mostly limited to 1 or 2 bedroom condos. You are paying for the convenience of being in the middle of all the action and excitement, which is worth it if this is important to you. Alternatively, there are areas close to downtown with more economical and larger accommodations. In order to get your bearings and a sense of whether a rental is the right location for you, try going on Google maps and enter the address of the Olympic rental and the Olympic venue you will be visiting. You can also visit www.translink.ca to find out about public transport specific to the locations you are considering.

You will need to clarify how many people you will be coming with. If it is a group, consider how many and what size beds you will need and the number of bathrooms required. It can be much more economical to rent a house for a group rather than individual condos. Also, consider your budget per person and the arrival and departure dates.

It’s daunting to know where to start and who you can trust when you are looking for accommodation. There are a couple of different ways to find accommodation. You can rent directly from the owner using Craigslist or various “billboard” sites. Or, you can rent from a licenced accommodation rental agency. It is highly recommended to use a rental agency to avoid disappointments and scams.

If you use a rental agency, it is very important to find out where the deposit is going. A licenced agency is obligated to keep the money in a trust account and only pay the owner when the guest’s stay is completed. Given that rentals generally require a 50% deposit, it is risky not to go through a licenced agency. Also find out if the agency personally verifies the properties. This way you know that the property has been accurately presented. Another consideration is whether or not the agency has a contract with the owner. A contract obligates the owner to keep the reservation for you.

If you are interested in using a licenced agency that will help you figure out what accommodation, in which area would suit your needs, consider contacting VanAccom. This is a boutique company run by local Vancouver residents. They will be available during the Games to drop off and pick up your keys and ensure a smooth rental experience, so you can focus on the fantastic Olympic tradition and the vibrancy and beauty of Vancouver.

The Olympic rings are the symbol of the Olympic Games. The five interlocking rings, colored blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white field represent the 5 continents. The colors represent the colors of all the national flags of the world at that time. The five rings were originally designed in 1912 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games to stand for passion, faith, victory, work ethic and sportsmanship. When the rings were presented in the Olympic Review, the official magazine of the International Olympic Committee, they were presented as
“the five parts of the world which now are won over to Olympism and willing to accept healthy competition”.

The symbol’s popularity and widespread use began during the lead-up to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The current view of the International Olympic committee is that the symbol “reinforces the idea” that the Olympic movement is international and welcomes all countries of the world. The Olympic Charter now posts that the five rings represents the union of five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. No continent is represented by any specific ring.

As host to the world for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Vancouverites anxiously await the next installment of the bright lights of the Olympic rings and the dazzling light displays. If the North Shore Mountains do get a giant set of rings, visitors and residents alike will be able to enjoy the displays from many vantage points. Each Vancouver resident will have an opportunity to promote the rings to our guests. Be sure to mention the rings to all you meet from February 12-28, 2010.

Everyone is talking about potential rental incomes of $10,000 to $30,000 but are these figures realistic? There are potential concerns in the Olympic community that if the rents appear too high, some visitors may forego the games. However, there is no way of knowing until the Olympics start.

Based on a look at properties being listed for rent through various websites, it is evident that there are a variety of options, including complete houses, condos, apartments, self contained suites in private homes, and single rooms.

Currently there is no official rental program set up to list or monitor private rental accommodation for the 2010 Olympics. There is no way to monitor whether landlords are achieving their rent asked. One strategy is to offer your property below the average asking price. This may generate some interest in your property.

While many websites are listing home rental properties, there are also some full service organizations that will take care of all the details, should you wish to make your home rental as hassle free as possible. For example, visit the website: www.VanAccom.com to view a full service site. VanAccom will not only list your property on a fully optimized website, but will actively seek out renters, handle the details and return your property to you at the end of the rental term, in the condition you left it.

With 1.6 million event tickets available, 80+ participating countries and over 10,000 media people expected to come to Vancouver for the Games, there should be lots of interest in available housing, despite the economic downturn. Perhaps the $30,000 pay off for a month’s rental seems out of line in tough economic times. Like most markets, this one will fluctuate with each passing month. As the home owner you will have to decide on the right rental price for your property.

Many of the large corporate sponsors, athletes, National Olympic and Paralympic Committee members, broadcasters have already locked up their accommodation needs; there remains plenty of opportunity to offer accommodation to other Olympic visitors. Throughout the summer and up until Games time, the demand for Vancouver accommodation should ramp up. Will your home be on the “rented” list?

Vancouver is located in the Pacific Northwest, which is known for its temperate rain forest. What this means for visitors to Vancouver in February is cool temperatures coupled with a high probability of rain. With urbanization, very little of the rainforest remains to be seen in Vancouver, however visitors can view Stanley Park to recapture some of its former grandeur.
The mean temperature for Vancouver in February is 4.8C with an average daily maximum of 8.0C and an average daily minimum of 1.5C. Temperatures range from a high extreme of 18.4Ch to a low extreme of -16.1C. On average, however, 27.9 days out of 28 will see daily maximum temperatures >0C. Of those, 6.9 days will reach temperature highs of >10C. Snowfall within the city is unusual, however it is possible. The average snowfall for Vancouver in February is 9.6cm.

Most of February’s precipitation in Vancouver will fall as rain. Each year approximately 1154.7mm of rain will fall. Of this annual precipitation, 123 mm will falls in February (10%).

How much rain can you expect to fall daily? On average, >/= 0.2mm rain will fall on 15.4 days out of 28, each February. Of those 15.4 rainy days, 7.6 will receive >/= 5 mm of rain and 4 of these days will see very heavy rainfall >/= 10mm. So, you might expect by this data that only 4 days will be light rainfall and12 more days with minimal rainfall. However, please come prepared to rain. If you dress appropriately, your stay in the 2010 Olympic host city will be a pleasant one. Vancouver retailers are looking forward to helping you make the best decisions for the most appropriate outdoor wear. Here are a few of our recommendations:
www.gumdropsonline.com
www.mec.ca/rainwear
www.vancouverbc.com/listing/guide/rainwear

As the host city for the 2010 winter Olympics, we wish you a pleasant visit. While we cannot change the weather in February, we can invite you back to Vancouver to see Our beautiful city in the summer. If you enjoy Vancouver in February, just imagine your experience in summer. Let VanAccom.com facilitate your vacation home rental in Vancouver for the 2010 winter Olympics and beyond. Please visit our website at
www.VanAccom.com

To learn more about the temperate rainforest, please follow this link: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate_rainforest

For more information on Vancouver weather patterns, you may follow this link:
http://vancouver.weatherpage.ca.