Many of us this time of the year are experiencing the warm temperatures of summer.  This article should help make you feel cooler!  When you think of the 2002 Winter Olympics, do you think of a wide variety of sporting events?  Do visions of skiers, skaters, and bobsleds come into focus?  Perhaps you think about cold, fluffy snow?  Did you ever stop to think about what part welders play in the total picture?  From a welding perspective, what went into preparing for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah?

Members of the United Association in Utah could tell you!  Their work went into the construction of:

·  A new boiler and chiller facility along with the miles of piping and related equipment to supply all the heat to the Olympic Village and to new residence halls on the campus of the University of Utah.  This is not just for the Olympics, but will benefit the University of Utah for years to come.

·  At the figure skating ice rink, welders installed 12 miles of one-inch schedule 40 pipe, welded on four-inch centers, for a total of 4,000 successful welds to carry the ammonia coolant for the ice rink floor.   In addition, they installed a mechanical system including plumbing, sprinkler system, and HVAC work for the facility.

·  In 1997, welders build the “E” Center, which is home to the Utah Grizzlies hockey team and also used as an Olympic venue.  More plumbing and piping for the ice systems.

·  The Utah Olympic Oval was constructed as the site of speed skating events including an ice rink, a swimming pool, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts.  Steel construction, plumbing, cooling and sprinkling systems all involved welding.

·  The bobsled and luge track at Utah Olympic Park near Park City, Utah, required 72,000 square feet of concrete surface containing more than 60 miles of evaporator refrigeration tubing.  This facility also houses a pool with 750,000 gallons of water that is bubbled to soften the impact of landing when diving.  Miles of piping went into this project!

·  Skiing events required the construction of gondolas and a tram that delivers people to the peak of the mountain where they begin their downhill events.  A snowmaking system that covers nearly 600 acres of terrain is one of the largest in North America.

·  Day lodges were constructed that consist of the usual plumbing, heating, sprinkler systems and ventilation.  However, in addition, thousands of feet of snowmelt tubing outside the buildings were constructed to keep the walkways clear of snow. 

·  A beautiful fountain was set into the Olympic Legacy Plaza.  47,000 man-hours were required to construct the fountain.  Workers also accomplished installation of the central chiller and boiler plant, distribution piping, and pump stations.

·  The Grand America 5-star hotel alone consists of 77 miles of pipe for the plumbing and HVAC systems. 

The UA welders, plumbers, and pipefitters of Utah certainly played a major role in making the 2000 Winter Olympic games a reality for the rest of the world.  It’s simply amazing!  Just think about it! 

Facts & figures taken from “The Olympic Spirit Lives On In Utah”.  UA Journal.  February 2002.