VANCOUVER - Organizers of the 2010 Winter Olympics have finally completed their business plan for the Games, but they are not ready yet to let the public know how much it will cost to put on the event.

The board of directors of the Vancouver Olympic Games Organizing Committee approved the plan during a meeting Tuesday.

John Furlong, Vanoc's chief executive officer, said he couldn't be specific about the Games budget because the plan still needs to be approved by the B.C. provincial government and Ottawa.

"It's a balanced budget with a healthy contingency,'' Furlong said.

"We feel very good about the plan. We feel optimistic they'll feel the same way.''

Jack Poole, chairman of Vanoc's board of directors, said the project "is north of $2 billion.''

On other issues, Poole said the board has asked Vanoc to examine ways it can become more transparent in its dealing with the media.

After Tuesday's meetings the media were prevented from interviewing board members as they left the building.

Poole also expressed disappointment that protests have disrupted recent Olympic celebrations.

In the past Vanoc has estimated it will cost $1.7 billion to put on the Games. That expense will be covered by sponsorships, TV revenues, ticket and souvenir sales.

Those figures do not include the $580 million of taxpayer dollars used to build the competition venues.

Furlong said the business plan does not ask for any more government money. He expects the plan will be made public this spring.

The plan is a blueprint to stage the Games. It outlines all the different functions, like athlete services and transportation, and gives cost breakdowns for each.

"We've said all along we wanted to make sure the plan represented the best interests of everybody that is involved,'' said Furlong. "That we don't spend money on things we don't need, that the plan is very focused, very tight, very disciplined. We are now at that point.''

A major source of revenue for Vanoc will be the money the International Olympic Committee shares  from TV rights and sponsorships.

"We do now know what the number will be from the IOC,'' said Furlong. "We feel very good about it. We feel that we've been treated fairly.''

There have been concerns that much of Vanoc's business is conducted behind closed doors. Only TV cameras, but no reporters, were allowed to hear the opening remarks of a meeting last week between Vanoc and the IOC.

Some news organizations have asked to attend the board of directors meetings. The six meetings a year are not open to the public and no agendas or minutes are released.

Organizers of the 1988 Games in Calgary and 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake did allow the public to observe their deliberations.

Poole said Vanoc is considering the matter.

"The board of directors have asked management to examine ways that we can become more transparent with the media,'' Poole said.

"Between now and the next board meeting I expect to have a report from management in terms of what changes we might make to the format that would make the process more transparent.''

Poole said he was frustrated that recent events aimed at celebrating the Games have drawn protesters. On Monday night anti-poverty activists and a native group chanted slogans and used noisemakers to drown out the speeches at an Olympic flag lighting ceremony at city hall.

Earlier in the day, an Olympic countdown clock was vandalized, despite having 24-hour security.

Last week an Olympic flag was stolen from in front of city hall. Last month a ceremony in downtown Vancouver to mark the three-year countdown to the start of the Games was disrupted by anti-poverty protesters who threw eggs and paint-filled balloons.

One person climbed on a stage and shouted obscenities.

The incidents have resulted in increased security at Olympic events.

"We're disappointed that a relatively small number of people have chosen, and have been able to, disrupt what is really a celebration of a very exciting event,'' said Poole. "Hopefully that will run it's course as the days unfold.''

Poole was asked if the protesters are raising valid issues concerning the Games impact on the city.

"We're a very convenient target for groups that have an agenda with our government,'' he said. "Because it's such a highly visible event, they would chose that event to pursue an agenda that has really nothing to do with hosting the Games.''