Vancouver Science World and the Omnimax Theatre at Telus World of Science are currently closed to the public and will reopen with its science events on Monday March 8 after the 2010 Olympics. In the meantime, Sochi 2014, the organizing committee for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Sochi Russia, will use the building during the Vancouver Olympics. 

"The doors of Russian Sochi 2014 House open from February 11 – 28, 2010 and welcomes anyone wanting to join Russia’s celebration of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. It will bring together well-known athletes, sports fans, journalists and officials from around the world, combining insights into a new and modern Russia with an experience of Russian tradition and heritage," reports a Sochi media release.

The showcase dome building was originally constructed for Expo ’86 and served as the main Expo Centre. Science World is actually a geodesic dome, an architectural design created by American inventor R. Buckminster Fuller. Vancouver’s Bloedel Floral Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park is also modelled after a Buckminster dome design. The Government of Canada announced in October 2009 that it is investing $10.5 million into Science World’s infrastructure to restore and upgrade the 20-year-old building.  

The Sochi 2014 Olympic Games organizing committee, located in the Science World dome will have a front row seat to observe and take notes from the 2010 Games, while also publicizing their own upcoming games. For those interested in seeing a favourite Russian sports celebrity, you might just be able to get an autograph from Pavel Bure or Tretiak.

The Russian Games will be located at a Russian alpine resort in the Caucasian Black Sea region and concerns have already been expressed about protection of its natural environment. In response the Government of Russia has said, “we will put every effort to enhance the quality of environment and socio-economic conditions in the Region and practice the principles of sustainable development and environmentally responsible technological perfection.”  The Sochi 2014 Games organizers have stated that their plans include:

• Games in harmony with nature
• Climate neutral games
• Zero waste games
• Managing sustainable development

Olympic Games are under increasing pressure to meet stricter environmental standards to diminish their potentially damaging carbon foot print.