VANOC ignores passing of master architect Erickson

Great Vancouverite Arthur Erickson died May 20. The world-renowned architect was 84.

Erickson, assisted by protege Nick Milkovitch, designed the two flagship buildings by the seawall on Athletes Way at the Southeast False Creek Olympic Village. Erickson's biggest local work is the Robson Square complex, including the Law Courts. Robson Square is undergoing renovations and will be known as GE Plaza during the 2010 Games. A new outdoor public ice rink will form the centerpiece of the B.C. government hospitality site and non-accredited media centre.

Erickson was an early supporter of Vancouver's Olympic bid. He even appears in VANOC's own Celebrate the Possible corporate video. Fast forward and freeze frame it at the 01:20 mark. That's Erickson beside an image of one of his masterpieces, the famed University of B.C. Museum of Anthropology.

VANOC issued a news release May 13 to congratulate Premier Gordon Campbell on his re-election. There was no news release issued after Erickson's passing. Vice-president of communications Renee Smith-Valade neglected to respond to my request for an official VANOC comment on Erickson.

Shameful.