WebStamp October 03, 2018
Snow Clearing around Olympic Bid
Even with all the controversy, the possibility of Calgary hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics is closer to reality. Only three of the seven countries bidding for the Olympiad are still in the bidding with Calgary being one of them. Stockholm, Sweden and Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy are the other two remaining cities still putting in bids. Deja-vu to 1988 when Calgary won the bid to host the Winter Olympics over Falun-Are, Sweden and Cortina d’Ampezz, Italy.
Most Calgarians have been for hosting the Olympics right from the start, however, support is waining amidst the lack of information about what it would cost taxpayers and how it would benefit them. In WebStamp’s To Host or Not To Host the 2026 Olympics article, we talked about how it all began and how the preliminary $4.6 Billion bid could benefit Calgary. Calgarians would be on the hook for $2.4 billion.
Sept.10 we were presented with a more detailed outline of what the bid would do for Calgarians consisting a higher bid of $5.2 million with $3 billion for Calgarians to cover.
The costs keep climbing according to leaked documents that revealed that there were some unknown remediation costs. Now we have demands for more transparency as promised. Calgarians have a right to know how their tax dollars are spent to enrich our lives.
Hosting another Olympics would benefit Calgarians with 8 venues being refurbished and will also be addressing community needs identified years ago as priorities for our city with a new multi-sport fieldhouse and community arena. The athlete villages will add 2000 affordable housing units after the games. Calgary will also have several infrastructure projects fast-tracked to completion. Then there is also 40 years of legacy funding to keep the venues operational for years to come.
The Winter Olympics may cost Calgarians, much of which will take years to recover, however, hosting another Olympics would also boost the economy and spearhead bringing it of its slow recovery slump as it did in 1988. Former B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, the man who spearheaded the Vancouver Olympics, says that the Olympics generates all kinds of economic opportunities that could be lost without the investment.
There is much to consider before we decide whether to host or not host the 2026 Winter Olympics. It would be great if we get all the facts before we can make an informed vote with the November 13th plebiscite. Join The M.A.D. Movement and Make A Difference by having your say on City of Calgary’s Public Engagement Site. Get the facts and choose how Calgary will grow in the future.
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