Should Calgary Bid on the 2026 Olympics

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Think it's time for a new poll given that this is likely "the bid", at least for the plebiscite.

Agreed. Shut this thread down and make a new one with this info so I can stop double taking every time I see my handle on the left side of the page. And so I can vote hard no.

[powderjunkie]

Page 35 regarding alpine events mentions a "• Downhill course tunnel " as part of the capital improvements. No idea what that means? Haven't been to Nakiska in years...I feel like they filled in the upper downhill course?

Also "• Alpine technical courses access" - not sure if that means a new lift to the summit?

[Lubicon]

So no use of the beautiful arena at Winsport other than for training, and we will build a new 5-6000 seat arena? Bizarre.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

So no use of the beautiful arena at Winsport other than for training, and we will build a new 5-6000 seat arena? Bizarre.

This is a bargaining position. Its saying to the flames that the city is will to kick in X00 million as part of an Olympic bid for a new arena. If the Flames want to join they can upgrade that to a new arena. That 5k-6k arena never gets built it just preserves the city bargaining position as opposed to including a 17k seat Arena as part of the bid.

Winsport only seats 3k. I'm surprised it isn't a Women's hockey Venue for non Canada / US games.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by GGG

This is a bargaining position. Its saying to the flames that the city is will to kick in X00 million as part of an Olympic bid for a new arena. If the Flames want to join they can upgrade that to a new arena. That 5k-6k arena never gets built it just preserves the city bargaining position as opposed to including a 17k seat Arena as part of the bid.

Winsport only seats 3k. I'm surprised it isn't a Women's hockey Venue for non Canada / US games.

Exactly. I also read curling being left as TBD as part of this. The likely outcome would be curling in the fieldhouse, and the 3 rinks needed for m/w hockey, figure skating, and short track are new area, saddledome, and Winsport (low draw hockey).

[Slava]

I was kind of hoping for a more exciting $8bn bid to be honest. New arena, fieldhouse, LRT to the airport, regional train to Canmore and some other goodies. I just feel like this is destined to be a billion-dollar boondoggle one way or the other, but that way we get some new shiny infrastructure out of the deal.

As it stands, the bid is super underwhelming. I can't believe they could present using the Stampede Grandstand to host the world with a straight face, nevermind some of the facilities that will be 40+ years old by the time hosting comes around.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Page 35 regarding alpine events mentions a "• Downhill course tunnel " as part of the capital improvements. No idea what that means? Haven't been to Nakiska in years...I feel like they filled in the upper downhill course?

Also "• Alpine technical courses access" - not sure if that means a new lift to the summit?

Nakiska has a T-bar at the top of Gold chair for the Olympic course, they need to make a crap load of snow up there for it to be usable. Since the Olympics that area has never been open to the public and only used for avalanche control by the ski patrol.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Nakiska has a T-bar at the top of Gold chair for the Olympic course, they need to make a crap load of snow up there for it to be usable. Since the Olympics that area has never been open to the public and only used for avalanche control by the ski patrol.

There’s no way that even with the summit platter open again that course is good enough for Olympic downhill in 2026. The 2010 bid plan had the peak to the right of Mt Allen developed for downhill.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Slava

I was kind of hoping for a more exciting $8bn bid to be honest. New arena, fieldhouse, LRT to the airport, regional train to Canmore and some other goodies. I just feel like this is destined to be a billion-dollar boondoggle one way or the other, but that way we get some new shiny infrastructure out of the deal.

As it stands, the bid is super underwhelming. I can't believe they could present using the Stampede Grandstand to host the world with a straight face, nevermind some of the facilities that will be 40+ years old by the time hosting comes around.

I guess you've never been to Ranahan's or Lazy S? The Grandstand is actually a perfect venue for medal ceremonies and hosting dignitaries. BMO Centre and Big 4 are also pretty ideal for media and country 'houses'.

I still think the best solution to the football stadium is another grandstand opposite the current one. I wish the Stampede would move in this direction instead of the Corral renovation.

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Nakiska has a T-bar at the top of Gold chair for the Olympic course, they need to make a crap load of snow up there for it to be usable. Since the Olympics that area has never been open to the public and only used for avalanche control by the ski patrol.

I know about the T-bar - still wondering what the 'course access' capital improvement would be.

The '88 course looked pretty terrible by today's standards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp_TIgf5OCE

I am coming around to using Nakiska over Lake Louise though.

[getbak]

In the Q&A with Council yesterday, they were asked about using Nakiska for the alpine events and it sounds like the plan is to develop an entirely new course for the skiing. They also said that they've run the plan past FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski) and they said the proposed course would be acceptable.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I guess you've never been to Ranahan's or Lazy S? The Grandstand is actually a perfect venue for medal ceremonies and hosting dignitaries. BMO Centre and Big 4 are also pretty ideal for media and country 'houses'.

I still think the best solution to the football stadium is another grandstand opposite the current one. I wish the Stampede would move in this direction instead of the Corral renovation.



I know about the T-bar - still wondering what the 'course access' capital improvement would be.

The '88 course looked pretty terrible by today's standards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp_TIgf5OCE

I am coming around to using Nakiska over Lake Louise though.

I know someone at the Calgary Stampede and from what I have been told the premium seating areas are going to be undergoing a major overhaul soon. I'm not sure what their plans are but it supposed to be completely different so it may or may not be a viable option as you suggested by the time the Olympics roll around.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I guess you've never been to Ranahan's or Lazy S? The Grandstand is actually a perfect venue for medal ceremonies and hosting dignitaries. BMO Centre and Big 4 are also pretty ideal for media and country 'houses'.

I still think the best solution to the football stadium is another grandstand opposite the current one. I wish the Stampede would move in this direction instead of the Corral renovation.



I know about the T-bar - still wondering what the 'course access' capital improvement would be.

The '88 course looked pretty terrible by today's standards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp_TIgf5OCE

I am coming around to using Nakiska over Lake Louise though.

Originally Posted by getbak

In the Q&A with Council yesterday, they were asked about using Nakiska for the alpine events and it sounds like the plan is to develop an entirely new course for the skiing. They also said that they've run the plan past FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski) and they said the proposed course would be acceptable.

This was the initial plan from the 2010 bid book.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Exactly. I also read curling being left as TBD as part of this. The likely outcome would be curling in the fieldhouse, and the 3 rinks needed for m/w hockey, figure skating, and short track are new area, saddledome, and Winsport (low draw hockey).

This would also line up with the 1st report which assumed an 17k Arena and field house would be constricted with funds not include in the bid.

I wonder if there is a deadline date on this part with the flames so they can announce the agreement in principle for a new arena as part of the Olympics just before the plebiscite to ensure the bump in support is realized in the poles.

[dino7c]

no arena, no deal

for me anyway

[Mr.Coffee]

agree there's no point to this. This whole exercise is ridiculous.

How you are so head strong against CSEC due to preservation of precious capital only to turn around and go on this boondoggle is absolutely two faced hypocritical nonsense (EVEN WITH the federal influx of capital at this level).

[JBR]

Originally Posted by dino7c

no arena, no deal

for me anyway

Just a little over 24 hours later, and the discussion starts...

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...emains-unclear

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Joborule

This was the initial plan from the 2010 bid book.

Spoiler!

Holy cow, took me several minutes to realize this is essentially looking at a whole new ski hill (at first glance, I thought it was showing runs off the Gold Chair, which made little sense).

Any obvious ties between RCR and bidco? Or is it, "Hey Murray, you build the arena, we'll build you a new ski hill!"?

[Faust]

Economic benefits of Calgary 2026 Olympic Games 'absolutely overstated,' say 2 economists

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...heck-1.4819731

[81MC]

Just came to say I strongly disagree with continuing to pursue a bid. As mentioned, if it was a full on Calgary/Mtn Parks bid with an increased cost allocated for awesome infrastructure that citizens will reap benefits of, I could maybe get behind the notion. What I’ve seen recently is a hard no.

[Frequitude]

Yes please. That’s a great return on investment looking at it purely as a Calgarian. Hope people realize it.