Located in the City of Richmond just south of downtown Vancouver, the Richmond Olympic Oval is a multi-sport arena originally built for the 2010 Olympic Games.
The Richmond Olympic Oval Sports Complex
Built in 2008, the Richmond Olympic Oval is the biggest sports complex in the area. At around 360,000 square feet the arena has space for a multitude of sports and other fitness-related activities.
The Richmond Olympic Oval was originally built for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games held in Vancouver and surrounding municipalities. Since then it has been converted into a sports facility for public use.
Vancouver’s 2010 Olympics
The Richmond Oval was the long-track speed skating venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. It also hosted several other championship events before and after the Olympics. Notable events so far have included several speed skating competitions, the 2011 World Masters Badminton Championships and the 2012 ISKF National Karate Championship.
Originally the Olympic Oval was slated to be built at Simon Fraser University‘s Burnaby campus. Due to rising construction costs, however, the original plan was abandoned. The City of Richmond then bid on the Olympic Oval and won in 2004.
Construction on the Oval began in 2006. The architect who designed it created several elements meant to resemble a heron. After several construction setbacks, the building officially opened in December of 2008. It was the last of the Olympic buildings to open.
Location and Hours
The Richmond Olympic Oval is located at 6111 River Road in Richmond. The Oval overlooks the Fraser River. YVR Airport is also just a short drive away.
The Oval is easily accessible via car or by public transit. Lansdowne Station on the SkyTrain‘s Canada Line is within walking distance of the facility.
Hours at the Richmond Oval vary depending on the activity. As of early 2025, general hours for the facility are from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm on weekdays and from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekends.
Fitness Activities
One of the most popular parts of the Richmond Olympic Oval is the fitness centre covering more than 23,000 square feet. There are free weights, cardio machines, weight training equipment and functional fitness equipment.
Group fitness classes also take place at the Oval. There are several studios in the facility including ones for cycling, functional training and other classes. YYOGA also offers yoga classes at the Oval.
The main floor of the Oval can be configured in different ways depending on the sport. There are three zones in total. One is an Ice Zone with two hockey rinks. There is also the Court Zone which can hold up to 8 basketball courts. Finally there is the Track Zone which consists of a five-lane 200-metre running track and a five-lane 110-metre sprint track. The zones can be reconfigured to hold badminton courts, volleyball courts, table tennis tables and more.
On-Site Services
In addition to its extensive fitness facilities the Richmond Olympic Oval also offers a variety of other on-site services. These include sports rehab services as well as the Oval Sport Store.
The Richmond Oval also hosts a variety of camps and other seasonal programs. There are sports camps available for children over spring break, winter break and summer break.
Water Sky Garden
Just outside the Richmond Olympic Oval is the Water Sky Garden. It was designed by artist Janet Echelman. The garden consists of a large wetland treatment pond, a fountain, boardwalk, two pedestrian bridges and two net sculptures. The sculptures were inspired by Richmond’s cultural communities and were designed to look like sky lanterns.
Other Information
For more details about the venue see the Richmond Olympic Oval website.
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- City of Richmond
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- Richmond’s Best Restaurants
- Lower Mainland Parks and Nature
- Vancouver’s 100 Best Places