Olympic flame an Olympic-sized eyesore
Vancouver’s best photo op may finally be getting a grander stage. Organizers on Wednesday are expected to announce changes to the fencing surrounding the Olympic caldron after residents and visitors complained that the unsightly chain link ruined the view of the popular waterfront attraction.
“This fence is offensive,” said Jeffrey Paleczny, one of thousands of visitors angling for a view earlier this week.
Among the options: replacing the chain-link fences with Plexiglas and moving the perimeter closer to the flames.
How close spectators can get is a major issue for Olympic planners, who have to allow for possible protests and rowdy hockey crowds.
“They’d probably be roasting marshmallows if you let them too close,” Paleczny said.
The announcement of the changes is expected at 11 a.m. Pressure for change has been building since the caldron’s lighting Friday.
“For the money they spent on this, they could’ve had 24-hour security,” said Sam Mahaffy of Vancouver, who went to see the caldron with his wife, Heather. “Our view is spoiled because we have to look through the wire,” Heather said.
A local columnist joined the outcry Tuesday, ranting: “Hey . . . ever heard of the wonders of Plexiglas?”
Construction crews have removed some of the netting that had initially obscured the landmark even more. Now, the plain concrete barriers, often dubbed K-rails, support the standard-issue chain link.
Completely removing the fence is not considered an option because of security concerns for the main broadcast center, which is steps away.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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