[transplant99]

City council heard Friday that the previously stated price tag of $4.6 billion for hosting another Winter Olympics could push higher, according to the latest projections from Calgary’s Olympic project team.

As city council prepared to decide on a $2.5-million cash injection for the creation of a possible Olympic bid corporation, councillors questioned the previously floated figures for Calgary to host the 2026 Winter Games.

“We’re anticipating that number to be higher, we’ll have an exact number in likely June,” said Kyle Ripley, team lead on the city’s Olympic file, citing modifications to Games concept plans and costs associated with inflation for contributing to a likely increase in the $4.6-billion figure first cited last summer.

The news came as council was urged to green-light additional funds to complete Calgary’s $9.5-million portion for the BidCo. The proposed draft budget for BidCo would include $10.5 million from the federal government and $10 million from the province, totalling $30 million.

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-...price-tag-city