“We managed during the 2010 Winter Olympics, and we will manage again.”
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From his 17th-floor apartment across False Creek from B.C. Place, Keith Morgan expects he will have one of the best views of World Cup festivities next month.
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But as the city prepares to close dozens of nearby streets and restrict access around the stadium on the tournament’s seven match days, the Vancouver resident says excitement over the global event is increasingly being matched by concern about how people living and working near the venue will navigate daily life.
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“My biggest concern is the level of congestion outside my home,” said Morgan, who noted that his home road, Quebec Street, will be temporarily closed to non-local traffic.
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“It’s going to be tough for an Amazon addict like me,” Morgan joked.
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With just six weeks to go until kickoff, the city is gearing up to welcome an estimated 350,000 visitors into downtown over seven matches from June 13 to July 7, with locals to face packed streets outside their homes and no mail or food deliveries on game days.
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This week, residents like Morgan received a “What You Need To Know” flyer from the city’s organizing committee encouraging people to “walk, bike or take advantage of extra transit service” during the games. It also said residents on restricted streets will be mailed a “local access traffic pass” next week, with businesses affected also able to request a pass.
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Recently, event planning officials have been hosting virtual community information sessions for the community, encouraging residents and businesses to plan for delays and road closures.
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“I would have liked to have seen more consultation from FIFA organizers with strata councils of buildings most affected, rather than a ‘this is what we are going to do’ approach,” Morgan said.
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Unlike stadiums in several other World Cup host cities, Vancouver’s sits directly in the downtown core, surrounded by residential towers, offices and businesses.
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In a briefing on Wednesday, B.C. Place general manager Chris May said a “significant stadium footprint” will be in effect during the World Cup period. Pacific Boulevard between Cambie Street and Carrall Street will be closed from mid-May to late July, with closures on dozens of nearby roads on match days.
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The Vancouver Host Committee says the controlled area is required by FIFA to maintain emergency access and manage crowds around the stadium during the tournament.
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“The city is responsible for maintaining clear access for emergency services, teams, officials, volunteers, and fans throughout the tournament period. This approach is standard for major international events,” the committee’s website states.
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Across downtown, post-secondary institutions are also preparing for travel delays.
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Staff at Simon Fraser University were warned this week that “significant disruptions” will likely affect classrooms at its downtown campus during the sporting event.
