It was reported a week or two ago that for security reasons, it wouldn’t be possible to disclose the route that the Olympic Torch would take on it’s trip through Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on Monday, February the 8th.  Thankfully, the District has now posted the information on their website at http://mapleridge.ca/assets/Default/Parks~and~Leisure~Services/pdfs/events/Maple_Ridge_Olympic_Relay_Route_Map.pdf for everyone to have a look at.

The main ceremony will take place from approximately 6:15 to 8:00am, rain or shine.  If you don’t want to take part in the main event, residents are encouraged to turn out along the route that the Torch will be taking to help cheer the torchbearers on.

The Torch will be leaving the area of Telosky Stadium around 7:06, and travel west along Lougheed Highway, where it will turn and go up 227th to Dewdney Trunk Road.  The route will continue west to 224th, where they’ll turn south and head into Memorial Peace Park.  For the trip to Pitt Meadows, the Torch will head south on 224th, turning right at Lougheed Highway again, and moving west all the way down to Harris Road.

Please be aware that there will be rolling road closures on that morning, which means that those needing to get across the Pitt River Bridges may be impacted at some point.

Now, getting away from all of the ‘headache’ news about the Torch Relay – come out and take part in a celebration the likes of which Ridge-Meadows has never seen.  A Continental breakfast will be served, and there will be a min-torch run for the kids, along with some interactive games.  Along with a flag-raising ceremony (complete with O Canada), there will be a Spirit of Wood unveiling to mark the event, and an appearance by some of our Home Town Hero athletes.

Show your Canadian spirit by wearing red and white, and come and take part in a very special part of the Olympic experience.

For more information, please contact Pat Shiratti at 604.467.7342 (or email pshiratti@mapleridge.ca)

Andrew Douglas (ad@ridgemeadowspost.com)