Vancouver 2010 Olympics glass company vows to fix smashed cauldron
The thick, tempered glass covering the base of one of the pillars of the Vancouver Olympic cauldron was smashed early Saturday morning.
Police were called to Jack Poole Plaza at 9:30 a.m., about five hours after the intentional vandalism.
“We are super disappointed that this happened. Why anybody would do that, we don’t know,” said Const. Jason Doucette, who added there is surveillance video of the incident.
“People obviously went there prepared to damage this item, there were two men as far as we know, and it appears they were using a blunt instrument,” he said.
There are hundreds of glass panels covering the cauldron, all individually made by Studio 3 Glass in Port Coquitlam.
Owner Nasar Niki said he thought he was dreaming when Vancouver’s Olympic organizers asked him to help make the iconic cauldron for the 2010 Winter Games.
“They picked me and the company because of our past reputation, and we are really known in this industry. So I was extremely happy, honoured and excited. For the whole seven or eight, or nine months, I couldn’t even sleep well,” said Niki.
In the 12 years since his glass work was featured so prominently in the 2010 Olympics, he has visited the cauldron dozens of times.
“Anytime I travel downtown, that is a spot I never ever miss to look at it or drive by,” said Niki, who was upset to learn six of his glass panels were smashed by vandals.
“To be honest with you, it’s breaking my heart big time. Sometimes I talk with my friends and say the cauldron is like my baby,” Niki said.
His company has been asked to replace the shattered panels, which will take time.
“For those six pieces, we need to provide the templates and start from scratch and try to create the exact texture,” he said, adding he’s determined to make the repair look seamless.
While the cauldron is a high-profile target, glass-smashing vandals are nothing new in Vancouver. Window breaks are up dramatically throughout the city, especially downtown. And it’s often done for no apparent reason.
“Why people are doing this, I have no idea. It’s not like they’re breaking this to get to an item that will allow them to make money to support habits. There is nothing like that in this case for sure,” said Doucette.
The Vancouver Police Department is planning to release surveillance video of the suspects. “I’d like to see them caught,” Doucette added. “It’s a careless act of vandalism, and they should be held accountable.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.