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The Vancouver 2010 Paralympics are here!

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— The people spoke and VANOC listened. Check out very popular Olympics venues that are open for the Paralympics.

At the Paralympics there are five events and 1,350 athletes, compared with 15 events and about 2,600 competitors at the Winter Olympics.

The alpine and cross-country skiing events, as well as the biathlon will be held in Whistler, along with a nightly medal ceremony at the plaza. All victory ceremonies (from March 13 - 18) are free and will be feature a different Canadian artist or band each night.

Wheelchair curling and ice sledge hockey are being played in Vancouver and will have in-venue medal presentations at UBC Thunderbird arena.

The organizers in Vancouver seem to have received the message, and are re-opening more venues during the Paralympics from March 12 - 21. This is great news, as it will allow locals to take in several venues that they more not have had a chance to visit during the 2 - 3 weeks in February.

Here's an update on what will be open:

LiveCity Downtown (Georgia Street, between Beatty and Cambie Streets): The City of Vancouver-sponsored celebration site will feature giant screens and live performances. Open March 12 to 14 and 18 to 21, from 1pm to 9pm.

Centreplace Manitoba (at LiveCity Downtown): CentrePlace Manitoba features multimedia displays and an exhibit by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Open March 12 from 4pm to 7pm; March 13 to 14 and 18 to 21, from 1pm to 9pm.

British Columbia's Robson Square Celebration Site (Robson Street, between Hornby and Howe Streets): The GE Ice Plaza at the Robson Square Celebration Site will be one of the major gathering places during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, featuring ice skating, athlete demonstrations, family events and BC-focused programming. The GE Ice Plaza is already open to the public with free skating and public events.

Urban Zipline: Line-ups for the Zipline were reportedly over 6 hours long during the Olympics. The crowds just can't get enough of this limited-time opportunity to soar across the heart of the city. You'll have another chance during the Paralympics! Open: March 12 to 21 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Robson Square.

BC Hydro Power Smart Village (333 Dunsmuir Street): This family-friendly celebration site will feature a dance floor that generates electricity as people dance. A section of the village will be devoted to showcasing Canada's greatest Paralympic moments. Open March 1 to 22 from 10am to 6pm.

Canada's Northern House (602 West Hastings Street): Canada's Northern House showcases the culture of Canada's three territories including demonstrations of traditional Arctic games, craft displays and live musical events. Open March 1 to 31 from 10am to 5pm.

Pride House Vancouver (1170 Bute Street): An inclusive, welcome space for LGBT athletes, family, friends and visitors to come together and celebrate.

BC Pavilion (Vancouver Art Gallery): The British Columbia Pavilion will be proudly located at the beautiful Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) building next to Robson Square. You can expect to see a number of interactive displays that will highlight the rich cultural fabric of both British Columbia and Canada. A series of displays highlighting BC industry & tourism will also be on-site. Visitors will get full access to the VAG for free during the Games and the venue is anticipated to be open between 10:00 am - 5:00 pm daily (no evening hours, private events only). A special Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit is available for public viewing. Located in the heart of downtown across from the huge Canadian flag at Georgia & Howe Street and right next to the GE Plaza outdoor skating rink, this will definitely become a popular gathering place. Open March 12-21 from 10am to 5pm.

Royal Canadian Mint- 2010 Athlete Medals: The Royal Canadian Mint is re-opening its exhibition at a new location (the Vancouver Public Library) for the Paralympics. This may be one of the last chances for Vancouverites to see the medals and learn about their production first-hand. There will also be daily coin exchanges and collectibles on sale. Open Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Vancouver Public Library (350 West Georgia)

Canada Pavilion: This $10 million dollar pavilion provides an inspiring showcase of Canadian athletes, culture and heritage. The Pavilion features interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations and innovative content to profile Canada as an investment, business and tourism destination. Open March 12 to 14 and March 18 to 21. From 1p.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Corner of West Georgia Street and Beatty Street.

Olympic Cauldron: Lit for the Paralympics, March 12-21, 2010. The Cauldron will remain lit until the end of the Paralympic Games. It is a short walk from the heart of the city (located on the waterfront next to the new convention centre). It's a great place for photo opportunities and a glance at a piece of history.

To book your Vancouver accommodations:

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