[News] Canadian and Albertan government will support Calgary in $30 mil 2026 Olympics bid

[Bourque's Twin]

It's a very positive thing for the local economy if the City's costs aren't going to harm its finances long-term. Building all of that infrastructure requires a lot of materials and labour, and tons of people will have work for a few years. During the Olympics, the hospitality sector will perform incredibly well. It will also market Calgary as a city globally. Not sure what the long term impacts of that would be. The more foreign investment into our economy, without requiring long-term ownership, the better.

The downside is that the government will waste a lot of money during the process, because governments never spend money efficiently.

Alberta (and Calgary) have been overcompensating the rest of Canada for years. I'm happy if the Feds kick in substantial funds for the Olympics.

[powderjunkie]

Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are obviously just in another category of 'city' due to size (not saying better, just not really comparable).

Of the remaining cities in Canada, I think most of us would agree that Calgary is the 'best'. Halifax is pretty cool, Ottawa, and Quebec have history and lots of gov't money, I suppose Victoria is nice if you're into that sort of thing. Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, all of the other cities in Ontario, Quebec, and the maritimes...are just cities.

What makes Calgary feel unique?

Proximity to the mountains
Calgary Stampede
Oil industry (I suppose right time/place --> HQs - but many other cities benefit from the industry, too)
Legacy from '88

I think an argument could be made that '88 has more to do with the spirit of the city than any of the others.


Whether we need another Olympics to refresh that is another question. Will a '26 will have the same impact? Is the overall ROI similar? I think the answer to both questions is no, but I'm not necessarily opposed.

We just don't have enough information yet.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by GGG

Actually the polling average of all polls in the municipal election was fairly accurate and really showed the value in having multiple polls with different methodologies measuring the same thing.

A low turnout plebiscite is more sample biased than a poorly designed poll. Polling done with different methodologies to create the samples and averaged out would provide a more accurate reflection of publics opinion the a plebiscite that less than 20% of eligible voters vote in. It is a less acuurate and more costly way of measuring support.

So the Quito Maggi polls were fine? The ones done with biased sampling? The ones that made Postmedia look like idiots?

No thanks - I'll take my fair and democratic elections/plebiscites over your polls. If people don't turn out that IS a vote. It means the subject is not important to them.

Oddly, the lowest turnout is usually for the City elections - which is the gov't that affects people the most directly.

The largest turnout is for Provincial and Federal elections, which are, in many cases, tangential to real life.

[Incogneto]

It sounds like this WILL go to a plebiscite now, so if it does, I hope the question is straight to the point and not confusing. Something like ‘Do you think Calgary should bid to get the 2026 Olympic Games?’ The actual question will be a big deal.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by craigwd

I will be voting yes because I support athletes and measures that will continue to give them the best training facilities in the world.

I support sport and the power it has to unite a community, excite a population, and inspire thousands of children to get out and try new kinds of activities (whether or not it encourages them to become high performance athletes themselves).

I support culture and know that the Olympic Games bring about more than just sport and athletes; it's a showcase of art, music and shared experiences.

I support cities and nations that make an effort to take a leap into something daring and new and fun. They are not content to live in boring grey boxes while only overseeing the minutia of day-to-day life of potholes and garbage pick up.

and I support celebration and communal pride in pulling together to welcome the world.

The Olympic are more than a party, they are a celebration of sport, athletes and culture and it's an honour to host them. It's a double honour to be so well thought of that the Olympic movement would consider this city to be the first double host since Lake Placid (itself the USA winter sport hub).

As I frequent visitor to the current facilities I know that they are used long afterwards and are crucial to athletic success. I also know that they need updating.

As a friend and supporter to many high performance athletes I know that they are excited and support a home Olympic Games in 2026.

As a fan of Canadian sport I know that this country loves celebrating success but I also know that as soon as that success goes away people are going to bemoan athletes' and question their results. We cannot expect success and not give the tools to help them accomplish it.

We cannot expect pride, unity and celebration to come out of nowhere.

I support athletes, I support sport, I support culture and I support Calgary 2026.

*slow clap*

Who writes your speeches?

[Manhattanboy]

I think the vote will be close but ultimately a no result.

The attitude around these parts has shifted dramatically in the last decade.

[activeStick]

I'll be honest, because I don't live in Calgary, I'm just happy these Olympics mean the Flames have an answer for a new arena to play in. Not sure if the city and the Flames would've found common ground otherwise.

[Badgers Nose]

nvm

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by RM14

What neighbourhoods will benefit the most as far as property value increase?

Sorry for the late reply and haven't read additional posts but I see Victoria Park as one of the best. I believe the games would mean the Stampede plan as well as new arena is pushed ahead at a much quicker pace. Essentially it turns the area into an entertainment district which should help increase rents / decrease vacancy.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

For anyone who went to the games in Vancouver, did you notice anything that you thought could have been much better in hindsight?

Not making the part of the spectator area out of snow and hay where the temperature is above zero. Not having a super ugly fence between visitors and the Olympics flame. Shortage of busses to/from and food concessions at venues. Security that slowed you down but didn't really make you more secure (bag check was a joke). But as time goes by one tends to forget the issues and remember the highlights more.

[corporatejay]

I've changed my tune on both the rink and Olympics. Bring'em on. Probably end up wasting money on other stuff anyway so why not have a little fun.

I'm not.going to.try and use logic here, I just want it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scotty2hotty]

I am from Calgary but have lived in BC for almost 15 years.

For this reason, I am totally behind this bid and hope that it (including a new arena) is 100% financed by the city and provincial government.

Only sort of kidding

Ps. I will also pledge to do my part by buying tickets and thus adding a few thousand $s to your local economy

[442scotty]

Id like the politicians who are pushing for the games to put their money where their mouth is literally. Put up your civic pensions as collateral in case the games go over budget and swamp the taxpayers in debt.

Think they would still push for the games?

If the Feds guarantee to cover any cost overruns and the city gets a new arena and some new infrastructure at the end of the day then I'd be ok with going for the games

[dammage79]

Security will be the biggest thing. But from my experience Calgary has some of the best in the business in terms of ingress and screening. As well as planning. And there's some companies making their way into Calgary as well that are pretty good.

Stampede experience I feel really helps the cause when it comes to keeping costs down for security of the Olympics. Strong co ordination with CpS as well if I am not mistaken.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Stampede experience I feel really helps the cause when it comes to keeping costs down for security of the Olympics. Strong co ordination with CpS as well if I am not mistaken.

This is actually a good point - the Stampede would be a really sensible partner to involve in the coordination of a lot of stuff. The timing is nearly perfect from a standpoint of not totally de-railing from their 10-day focus.

I imagine most cities hosting have zero institutional knowledge to work with, not to mention some decent infrastructure and people in place that already throw a 10 day party for a million people each year.

Stampede could/should be looking at ways to achieve permanent benefits from this.

In my perfect world, they would scrap chuckwagon racing and build a new grandstand where the infield currently sits. CFL football field, rodeo events, Opening/closing ceremonies in a 30000 seat stadium with some pretty impressive premium venues (Ranahans, Lazy S, + more on the new side).

Even better if they could make it a dome roof between current grandstand and new one so you have a massive indoor footprint for year round events. That is probably pushing it, but it would be better than the Corral reno IMO.

New arena goes north of the Saddledome, and both venues share a pretty nice size parking lot, and pretty darn close to all 3 train lines.

If you're not already sold...how about a monorail from new arena to BMO Centre to new stadium! MONORAIL!!! Now we're talking world-class!

[Jiri Hrdina]

Can we tack on a plebiscite about fluoride just for shiggles?

[lazypucker]

If the government has so much extra money but no where to spend, go cut taxes, or hand out Ralph Bucks so it gets to people.

It is stupid to throw money at vanity projects for people to feel good for only a couple of weeks.

How many years is our government in the red now?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Can we tack on a plebiscite about fluoride just for shiggles?

When Council was debating an Olympic plebiscite last week, I believe one of the Councilors suggested the same thing.

[Jason14h]

Well we’re going bankrupt anyways, so let’s have some fun while we are at it !

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Well we’re going bankrupt anyways, so let’s have some fun while we are at it !