Olympic Village To Be Sustainable Community After Vancouver Winter Games

February 9, 2010 5:12 p.m. EST

Vancouver, Canada (AHN) - After the Olympic Village hosts over 2,000 athletes and team officials during the Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games, it will become a sustainable and green community.

The Olympic Village's design manager Roger Bayley said the site of 150,000 square meters was not limited to athletes, but for long-term residences.

"We didn't design this [project] thinking it's going to be a great bunch of athletes," said Bayley. "About 16,000 people living in the future and all the buildings with sustainable design will give people a better understanding about green concept.

Going green means sewage water will provide about 65 percent of the heat and radiant ceilings were structured for the heating and cooling system.

The entire project will save up to 50 percent on energy and rainwater will be used to flush toilets as well.

There will be 10 buildings in the village that will provide 1,100 residential units for a diversity of people.

Units (250) will be available for low income people, and 120 units will be set aside for rental.

The rest will be sold via the real estate market.

"We are trying to build that diversity between wealthy house owners and those who can't afford that. We are trying to make a more inclusive environment," said Bayley.

Bayley added the units will accommodate the athletes during their stay.

"These hi-end units are for purchase and meet very high quality standards. They are pretty comfortable for the athletes."