Media Centre

As the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay makes its way across the country, recognizing local difference makers and engaging over 600 communities along the way, the Rick Hansen Foundation team will provide updates as to when Rick Hansen is expected to be out on the road. Below you can find the public events surrounding the Relay's visit to Chilliwack and White Rock and where Rick is expected to attend. Please note: all of the information and times are confirmed to our best knowledge, but may ultimately be subject to change.

There will also be instances where Rick may be able to attend a community stop or join Medal-Bearers on their segment of the Relay at the last minute. This information will be communicated via our Twitter accounts: @RickHansenFDN and for media covering the Relay,@RHRelayMedia Rick Hansen is expected at the following Relay events and stops:

Sunday, May 13, 2012 (Day #264: Relay traveling Agassiz to Chilliwack)

• End of Day Celebration - 5:00pm PT [Location: Heritage Park 44140 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack, BC]
  • The Relay will end the day with an event at Heritage Park. Attending: Rick Hansen, final Medal-Bearer Betty Colk (Special Olympian; worked at the Community Police office for 18 years)
  • Relay arrives at 5:00pm
  • NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the formal event

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 (Day #267: Relay traveling Abbotsford to Maple Ridge)

• Start of Relay - 9:45am (PT) [Location: Rick Hansen Secondary School gym (31150 Blueridge Drive, Abbotsford, BC)]
  • The Relay will begin its day at the Rick Hansen Secondary School. - Rick Hansen will wheel out of the school with Relay participant Shyna Kanda (Grade 12 student; has volunteered for the Foundation and participated in the RHF Youth Workshop last June)
  • NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews prior to the start of the formal event, and following his participation in the Relay, after 11:00am (PT)
  • Trevor Linden participates at 11:00am. Traveling on Downes Road to 30507 Downes Road)

Friday, May 18, 2012 (Day #269: Relay traveling Coquitlam to Burnaby)

• Thermal Drive Relay Segment
  • 10:30am (PT) [Location: starting at Mohawk Ave and Thermal Drive, Coquitlam, BC]
  • Rick Hansen will wheel with Relay participants up Thermal Drive Hill, the steepest grade of Rick's original Tour.  An event will be held at 11:00am at the summit of the climb, at Thermal Dr and Seymour Dr - Attending: Rick Hansen, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages; Richard Lee, MLA Burnaby North; Mayor of Coquitlam, Richard Stewart; Mayor of Port Moody, Mike Clay
  • Relay participants:
  • MB269-032: 10:39am. Traveling on Moray Street from Pinda Drive to Mohawk Ave
  • MB269-033: 10:45am. Traveling on Thermal Dr from Man In Motion Plaque to 1000 Thermal Dr
  • MB269-034: 10:50am. Traveling on Thermal Drive from 1000 Thermal Dr to 972 Thermal Dr
  • MB269-035: 10:55am. Traveling on Thermal Drive from 972 Thermal Dr to 936 Thermal Dr
  • MB269-036: 11:00am. Traveling on Thermal Drive from 936 Thermal Dr to Seymour Drive
  • Relay continues at 11:30am PT
  • NOTE TO EDITORS: The anticipated ascent will take approximately 30 min. Thermal Drive is 1.6km. Due to the steep incline, Rick and participants will not be stopping once they begin, until reaching the top. Rick Hansen and others will be available for interview following the formal event at the summit (corner of Seymour Drive and Thermal Drive) at 11:30am PT
  • PARKING: RCMP officers will be closing down Moray St/Thermal Drive from St. Johns St to Como Lake Ave from 10:00am to 12:00pm PT. Media wishing to park at the summit must have vehicles in place before 10am. Please do not park on Thermal Drive. Media are encouraged to park at the base, in the lot at the corner of Moray St and St. Johns Street. Post-event, members of the RHF Communications team will transport media back down to their vehicles.

• End of Day Celebration - 5:00pm (PT) [ Location: Burnaby Village Museum (6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, BC)]
  • The Relay will end the day with an event at Burnaby Village Museum. Attending: Rick Hansen, MLA Kathy Corrigan; final Medal-Bearer Monica Gartner (advises the City of Burnaby on accessibility; a member of the Canadian Wheelchair Dance Academy)
  • Event begins and Relay arrives at 5:00pm
  • NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the formal event

Saturday, May 19, 2012 (Day #270: Relay traveling Burnaby to White Rock)

• End of Day Celebration - 5:00pm (PT) [Location: White Rock Community Centre Square (15154 Russell Avenue, White Rock, BC)]
  • The Relay will end the day with an event in White Rock. Attending: Rick Hansen; MP Russ Hiebert; final Medal-Bearer Jayme Hall (suffered a stroke at age 12; is now a mentor for young girls in the Girl Guides)
  • Public event begins at 5:00pm; Relay arrives at 7:00pm
  • NOTE TO EDITORS: Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the formal event