VANOC unveiled the Olympic curling rink Thursday morning. It was completed nearly one year ahead of the Olympics. (CBC)

The Vancouver Olympic organizing committee unveiled its new curling rink Thursday to much fanfare about the timely nature in which it and all other Olympic facilities were finished.

The rink was the final Olympic venue to be completed and it was done so within VANOC's total budget of $580 million, said the committee, known as VANOC.

With nearly a year to go before the Games, the completed facilities represent a huge departure from previous Olympic construction projects, such as those in Athens and Turin, where organizers scrambled to the last minute to complete their facilities.

John Furlong, president of VANOC, said he expects Olympic committee members who visit over the next several months will be impressed.

"In past Games they would have been coming into spaces and been given an idea of what it would be like. Here, they can come in and actually put their fingers in the clay if you like and see it for themselves."

Organizers also believe the early completion of the curling rink will give athletes a greater chance for a competitive advantage.

"Our athletes know exactly what they're going to get here when they step on this ice. And, the rocks — they'll know exactly what the rocks are going to do," said B.C. curler Georgina Wheatcroft, who won a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Aside from its timely completion, the building is also being hailed an environmental gem.

"Over 75 per cent of the construction waste was diverted from landfills, and recycled content and regional materials were used throughout construction," Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said.

Prior to the Olympics, the rink will play host to the World Wheelchair Curling Championship, which starts Saturday, and the World Junior Curling Championships, from March 5 to 15. After the Olympics, it will become an NHL-sized hockey rink.