The Winter Games have been an institution since 1924; it's an event that happens every four years where crosscountry skiing fans, figure skating lovers and ice hockey enthusiasts can watch thousands of world-class athletes compete from more than 80 nations, documented by some 10,000 media members and watched at home by a TV audience of three billion. The scale of the event is huge. And it is Vancouver's turn to show the world what it has to offer in 2010 - with less than a year to go, the pressure is on. With strong opposition from hundreds of activists and politicians, will the economic stimulus that the games is expected to generate prove the cynics wrong? The Plan An entity such as an organising committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC) requires an especially strong plan based on sound strategy and forward thinking. And VANOC couldn't be more confident with their plan; for the first time in Olympichistory it is believed that all venues have been completed on schedule. It is also the first ever Olympic Games, summer or winter, to have an indoor opening ceremony, and Vancouver will be the warmest and most populous city ever to host the Winter Games - but at what price? "Dollar for dollar, the Olympic Games may be the best investment we'll ever make," says Colin Hansen, BC Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the 2010 Games. It has been estimated that the games will inject anything up to C$3 million a day into Canada's economy. In addition, it is the largest level of sponsorship ever or a winter games. The event will also put substantial private investment into the economy, as a wholly funded revenue from the private sector. Concerns There are, however, a lot of people strongly opposed to the Games, with the main objection the large expense to taxpayers, estimated in 2007 to be C$580 million. After the economic crisis of 2008, there have been increasing concerns that Games-related projects will not meet their economic targets - despite reassurance from the committees. Almost every target has been reached on time and within budget so far, with the exception of an escalated security budget, subject to the international climate and of course, the Olympic Village. Those in opposition cite the Olympic Village development as an example of their concerns; the project was originally intended to make a profit, but is now expected to remain C$800 million in debt upon completion. However the Athletes' Village is now scheduled for completion in November 2009, when it will be handed over to the organizing committee. It's expected to be completed on schedule, with federal and provincial costs associated with the project having been capped. The city taxpayers may be off the hook for some of the overrun costs as the city is still hoping to recoup its investment through the resale of condos after the Games. The VANOC have also faced, fierce protests from environmentalists. The committee have made sure they make full use of existing venues, completing Environmental Assessment (EA) reviews required under the laws of Canada and British Columbia in their venue development program, despite concerns that the destruction of the natural environment, particularly at Eagleridge Bluffs, is inevitable. The indigenous people of Canada and their supporters have also expressed concern that the Olympics will once again bring unwanted tourism and real estate sales to the territory, and the Games will certainly bring tourism - it is expected that 250,000 visitors will be gracing Vancouver. But are all these concerns just dampening the spirit of a vision for excellence and economic stimulus? Lasting legacies The VANOC mission is to "touch the soul of Canada and inspire the world by creating and delivering an extraordinary Olympic and Paralympic experience with lasting legacies." And in all fairness the Winter Olympic Games looks set to provide some entertainment and relief in an otherwise challenging economic period; expected to help drive British Columbia's economic growth in 2010 to 2.9 percent (estimated by the Royal Bank), or as much as 4.3 percent (as estimated by the Conference Board of Canada) - the highest projected rate of growth in Canada. People do genuinely believe in the spirit of the Winter Games and the general consensus, despite set-backs, is that this one is going to be the best yet, I think it is safe to say the world awaits the upcoming games and for the right reasons. "These are going to be outstanding Games. The venues are already getting rave notices around the world. We can probably confirm 98 percent of our revenue," said VANOC Chairman Jack Poole. "We've got all the ingredients for a fantastic Games."