Local Olympic torch route released
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Islanders who want to catch a glimpse of history as the 2010 Olympic torch relay visits Salt Spring on Saturday, Oct. 31 will need to get to Ganges and try not to blink.
“The torch will be flown in from Lake Cowichan and will arrive at the government wharf between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m.,” said Mafalda Hoogerdyk, Chamber of Commerce president and a torch relay event organizer.
The Olympic torch will travel along Fulford-Ganges Road until it reaches the Ganges fire hall. The route then swings right along Lower Ganges Road and up to Village Terrace.
From there, the torch will be packed up and driven to the Vesuvius ferry terminal where it proceeds to Crofton.
A series of torchbearers will carry the Olympic flame along the roughly 900-metre route through Ganges.
Privacy concerns forbid the Vancouver Organizing Committee from releasing torchbearers’ names, so Hoogerdyk asks those individuals to contact her before next Saturday’s event. The Driftwood would also like to hear from them.
She said a community-wide celebration is planned for Centennial Park at 1 p.m. The event will feature live music performed by the Hooper Family Band and Billie Woods, loads of prizes, free food, hot chocolate and juice.
“It’s going to be very fun,” Hoogerdyk said. “I’m hoping it will be a great community event and that everyone will come out.”
RCMP Sgt. Danny Willis said island police officers have been tasked to assist the fire department and search and rescue group with traffic control. Security for the entire Vancouver Island route is being handled by the RCMP’s island district unit.
“The island district has an operational plan in place for the entire island,” he said.
Willis said he expects Lower Ganges Road will be closed to traffic for approximately 20 minutes as the torch makes its way through town.
Hoogerdyk thanked local business owners, community groups and the provincial government for making the event possible.
The 106-day cross-Canada relay ends in Vancouver on Feb. 12, 2010.
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