Recently, we asked a few Airport Authority employees to be the eyes and ears here at YVR and share their stories. Our roving reporters will give us different insights on what’s happening at the airport in the lead up to the 2010 Winter Games. For our first installment, reporters Barb Brown and Ivan Tse write about the new Public Observation Area:

You can feel the energy of the Olympics approaching as the media seem to be an ever present sighting at Vancouver International Airport. Why?  Well, it seems that new facility openings are becoming a weekly occurrence here at YVR. July 9 saw the launch of our new C Pier expansion in the Domestic Terminal, July 16 was the official opening of the Public Observation Area on level 4 of the Domestic Terminal.

This new area with windows spanning 7 metres high and 42 metres long offers the public a fantastic view of the airfield and the surrounding landscape. With its bright and airy feel, this space has seating for 150 visitors to take in the view while enjoying a bite to eat. The best part – it’s in the public area - you don’t need to be a passenger to see activity on the airfield.

If the excitement of the view and architecture weren’t enough to get you revved up to visit YVR, the space offers telescopes, information panels, an interactive scale model of Sea Island, touch-screen kiosks and the BC Explorer.

The BC Explorer gives visitors an opportunity to navigate a virtual fly-through of BC, using satellite mapping. You can touch down into BC communities to watch videos on your selected area. I asked Australian born and Airport Authority employee, Martin York, what he thought of his test drive of the BC Explorer.  Laughing, he said “I can’t even find the airport. Hey, can I get to Sydney on this thing?”

Dean Koyanagi, a plumber with the Airport Authority maintenance team, was asked how he felt about his newly acquired star status as he is featured in one of the touch-screen kiosk videos about some of the unique jobs at YVR. He replied, “No press please – contact my agent” as he grinned and moved to view another kiosk.

One of the great things about these interactive displays is that they are smaller in size and can be used by kids, noted Tom Phipps, an Airport Authority employee.

A common theme voiced by the large crowd at the opening was that the Observation Area brought back fond childhood memories of watching planes at YVR. It reminded many of times when they watched their loved ones’ planes take off or land. It has been more than 30 years since YVR has had a space where the public can view the airfield.

A big hit at the grand opening was a demonstration by YVR’s Airfield Emergency Services team. Fire trucks and sweepers were presented by Chane Thomas, Manager, Airfield and Emergency Services, while his team orchestrated maneuvers on the airfield. The finale had two fire trucks facing each other blasting water creating an high arch, usually reserved as a salute to retiring pilots. This spectacular display with the combination of the water and sunshine produced a beautiful rainbow which was the perfect ending to the grand opening.

 As we walked away, the space was in full swing as the public began filtering in for their first look. It seemed like this space has always been here.

Barbara Brown & Ivan Tse, YVR Roving Reporters

Meet Kathy deLisser, YVR’s Manager of 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Operations. Kathy is one of the 400 people who work  here at the Airport Authority and it’s her job to keep our planning and preparations on track in the lead up to the 2010 Winter Games.

Kathy’s worked with the Airport Authority since 1994. She is managing the specific needs of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes, officials, VIPs and spectators who will be travelling through YVR in February and March of 2010.

Throughout each test event this past winter, Kathy and her colleagues determined a focus for the event that will mirror the Games-time experience. For example, the World Press Briefing brought 300-plus international journalists through YVR for a logistics briefing on the Games. Kathy chose to test dedicated lanes for arrival processes and coordination and integration of transportation services between VANOC and YVR.

The best part of Kathy’s job?  “Being exposed to the excitement of an Olympic Games from a planning perspective. This role has given me the opportunity to learn so much about the Olympic Games and the immense preparations required to stage them. I get to talk to hundreds of international athletes and 2010 medal hopefuls about their expectations for a smooth airport experience in 2010.”

Of all the sports in 2010 Kathy is most looking forward to speed skating. “It’s one of the most exciting spectator sports I’ve ever enjoyed. The speed and aggression with which these athletes compete is incredible.” It also helps that the Richmond Olympic Oval is a neighbor to YVR. “Every day I look out of our office windows at the Oval, and it’s a great reminder of our connection to the Games.”