VANOC representatives were among the officials who opened a newly renovated Covenant House shelter for homeless youth yesterday.

The shelter and resource centre, at 326 W. Pender St., already provides shelter, food, clothing and counseling for 1,900 youth each year.

Thirty-two transitional housing beds and support services for homeless and at-risk youth have been added to the facility thanks to funding from the provincial and federal government (to the tune of $ 1.65 million) and $ 250,000 from VANOC, as part of their Olympic Legacies program.

“This investment provides a permanent housing legacy that will offer at-risk youth both shelter and support,” said VANOC vicepresident Donna Wilson.

Provincial housing minister Rich Coleman and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson joined Wilson at the opening of the expanded shelter.

The provincial government will also provide $ 3.9 million in operational funding to the shelter over the next three years.

Matt Kieltyka reports for Vancouver 24 Hours.