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Olympic Village Taking Shape
August 20, 1999
"A home away from home." That's what's taking shape at the University of Utah, where construction of the new Olympic Village is well on its way to completion. News Specialist John Daley has details.
It used to be an Army training facility. Fort Douglas will begin housing students here at the U of U. Then, in 2002, it'll be "home base" for athletes from around the world.
When the athletes need a break from triple toe-loops, and running the gates, they'll come here: the Olympic Village. It'll be home away from home for 3,500 athletes. They'll stay at the former Fort Douglas, once owned by the army. When completed in a year, it'll be a 44 building self-contained neighborhood, a mini-city.
Richard Tyler/Olympic Village Director: "WHILE THE SPORTS MAY BE THE CENTER OF THE GAMES, THE VILLAGE IS THE HEART OF THE GAMES. IT'S WHERE THE ATHLETES LIVE, IT'S THEIR HOME FOR 30 DAYS, IT'S NOT AN AMUSEMENT PARK, IT'S REALLY THEIR HOME."
The $120-million project is a joint effort between the University and Olympic organizers, who kicked in $28-million.
John Daley/Eyewitness News: "THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE PROVIDES MUCH-NEEDED STUDENT HOUSING FOR THIS MOSTLY COMMUTER CAMPUS. IN FACT, STUDENTS WILL BEGIN MOVING IN HERE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS."
Hundreds of students will need to move out for several months when the Olympians move in.
Wayne McCormack/University of Utah Olymic Coordinator: "IT'S ALL DESIGNED AS STUDENT HOUSING AND A VILLAGE AT THE SAME TIME, AND WE THINK IT'S GOING TO BE THE MOST SPECTACULAR STUDENT HOUSING CERTAINLY IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE U.S."
The Olympic Village will be like a dry-docked crusise ship, boasting temporary features student dorms won't. Besides a fitness center and a fire station, bank, florist, photo shop, post office, hair salon and of course, tight security.
Richard Tyler/Olympic Village Director: "THE ENTIRE SITE WILL BE FENCED, WILL BE A SECURITY FENCE ERECTED, WITH EQUIPMENT, LIGHTING, CAMERA, ETC. AND THE MOST SENSITIVE AREAS WIL BE ACCESS POINTS WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY COME THROUGH."
Think of it: we could have the "Michelle Kwan Room," the "Johnny Moseley Wing" or the "Picabo Street Suite." The University's Olympic coordinator says it hasn't decided if it'll put up any plaques after 2002 honoring athletes here--but this place will still always have that historic cache--home of Olympic athletes.
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