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

[Badgers Nose]

nvm

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

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.

It would be a pretty safe bet that there would be an Olympic Village development needed that would need to be rammed through as a part of the plan. But then you’re talking about a lot of units in a short amount of time, probably wouldn’t do much to help rents and vacancy.

[Tacoman]

I can’t even imagine our city saying no to the Olympics. Of course I’ll be saying yes. People get so caught up in fear mongering and hyperbole when the question gets posed but just like in ‘88, when it comes time to host the world, 99% of Calgarians will love it. Calgary has always been a “can do” city. With our people and passion for volunteerism, there’s no doubt we can make this work. It’s the main reason I’ll never live anywhere else despite these crappy winters. The economic woes of the city and province right now makes it even more important to get going and pursue big projects. I know that online discussions are almost impossible to keep positive these days but it would be awful if this mentality prevented us from continuing to grow as a city.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by blender

What people forget about spending money is that it pays people's wages and goes back into the economy.
My whole life I've been hearing people moan about governments spending money and how it's going to ruin us and all that's ever come of it is I continue to live in one of the best countries in the world enjoying a decent quality of life, able to earn a living and raise my kids while the country continues to NOT go to hell in a handcart.

Until your kids start working and trying to build a life but will have to pay higher taxes with less services because previous governments racked up billions in debt. All that tax dollars will go to paying all the lenders.

That’s the problem.

[blender]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

Until your kids start working and trying to build a life but will have to pay higher taxes with less services because previous governments racked up billions in debt. All that tax dollars will go to paying all the lenders.

That’s the problem.

The problem is that the government isn't taxing wealthy people enough.

[Locke]

nm

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by blender

The problem is that the government isn't taxing wealthy people enough.

No, the problem is that the government is too big and unnecessarily spends too much money, money which they don’t have.

And the argument that wealthy people not being taxed enough is such a short sighted opinion. Most wealthy people are business owners, who have worked their ass off and risked their money to create profits, and who also constantly reinvest in our economy, creating jobs and such.

[Hockey Fan #751]

100% yes to this! Maybe we can get a new football stadium out of it as well because, you know, opening and closing ceremonies.

2026 could be an awesome year for Alberta if Edmonton also gets some World Cup games. I'd take my daughter to both. She'd be 8 by then. I was 9 in '88 and remember every single day of those Olympics.

[blender]

@smiggy. No point turning this into a political debate that has been had many times elsewhere. I understand your side but I just don't agree.
No worries.

[Schultzie]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Lol at posters that thought spending government money on a flames arena was a bad idea. There going to be spending a hell of a lot more money if they win this bid. And I'm pretty sure they will win the bid .

At least flames will get the new arena

It still is. This is just an even worse idea.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Lol at posters that thought spending government money on a flames arena was a bad idea. There going to be spending a hell of a lot more money if they win this bid. And I'm pretty sure they will win the bid .

At least flames will get the new arena

Regarding winning the bid: Nobody else wants to bid. That’s why the IOC is courting Calgary so aggressively.

Regarding the ‘we have the facilities ‘ argument some are making: The facilities we have are fine for training national team athletes, but not for hosting tons of spectators. Fixing them up is money that would be better spent on road and other decaying infrastructure.

Regarding the plebiscite: I hope the vote will proclaim a resounding no. So, no arena and no olympics. But given the typical Albertans appetite to spend way more than their means, even when they were making historically high wages due to easy oil sector jobs, maybe not.

Regarding the ‘elected officials should just govern’ point. Yes, that is true and many of these politicians are sealing their fate with support - anything less than a no is support. Jason Kenney is going to feast on softies like the ones we have right now.

Regarding the rallying cry of sport: there are far less expensive and more inclusive ways to built culture. And I disagree that after the olympics there will be tons of support for these sports. World class skate and slope events happen here sporadically and the turnouts are always pretty weak. Calgary has always been more of a participatory crowd versus spectator. On good ski day people would rather ski than watch people ski.

Regarding nostalgia: I loved the 88 olympics. And get why people would like to relive that. But this province is a mess, and that money should go to diversification efforts and infrastructure.

Anyways, I’ll support whatever the citizenship wants. I just hope they think carefully. These games can’t be done on the cheap anymore.

[CroFlames]

People in Vancouver are still buzzing from their Olympics. 88 was before my time, but I constantly hear fond memories from 88, even without NHL participation.

In straight economic terms, I'll warrant it's never a good idea to spend money on sports. What tangible benefit is there? Better chance at a gold medal? What do gold medals do to ease the burden of the middle class? Nothing.

Having said that, does the city population want to miss out on the buzz and pride generated from the Olympics? I hope people aren't so narrow-minded.

Maybe we have a new Eddie the Eagle or Jamaican Bobsled team in 2026.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

People in Vancouver are still buzzing from their Olympics. 88 was before my time, but I constantly hear fond memories from 88, even without NHL participation.

In straight economic terms, I'll warrant it's never a good idea to spend money on sports. What tangible benefit is there? Better chance at a gold medal? What do gold medals do to ease the burden of the middle class? Nothing.

Having said that, does the city population want to miss out on the buzz and pride generated from the Olympics? I hope people aren't so narrow-minded.

Maybe we have a new Eddie the Eagle or Jamaican Bobsled team in 2026.

Those were great stories, but they overshadowed the embarrassment of a Canadian team who failed to win a gold medal in the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. I am certain that the next time the Olympics are in Canada the expectation will be for the host country to dominate, and any of these feel-good stories will not receive anywhere near the same attention.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Maybe we have a new Eddie the Eagle or Jamaican Bobsled team in 2026.

That's impossible now. the IOC put into place new rules which only allow qualified participants into the Olympics.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

That's impossible now. the IOC put into place new rules which only allow qualified participants into the Olympics.

Turns out the rules do still need some refining as some can force their ways through cracks in the system. There’s a pretty fine line between a ‘feel good story’ and cringey embarrassment as Elizabeth Swaney showed us.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-a8218991.html

[SOMBRI2]

To me it is important to see some debunked math and financial assessment before the plebiscite. You want well informed citizens to make that decision.

How many times you fully know a politician (true colors) before you vote them in. Are you really unbiased? We are human beings, there are favorism in our decisions, whether selfish or not. But we need to show citizens those numbers.

There are three pillars in a society that play important role and are culprits and problem solvers at the same time. We must strike that balance and let everyone takes their sides. There is no right or wrong. But we must be ready for the outcome financially.

I will work hard to make it up. $450 per year or so, or a $1000 extra. I will pony up. To me, sports is more than an equalizer, it can be a life saver for many.

To this day, nothing has come close to being excitement and hope like the world cup and the Olympics have done to global citizens. If you think a Stanley Cup run or a Commonwealth Games can be your substitute, then we have to see those actual return in economy financially, technically and morally.

I vote yes. Bring on the plebiscite.

From a lower middle class citizen.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

I’m trying to remember what you specifically believe as far as a new arena......

But I have seen many say no public funds for a new arena, because there is always something more important to spend that money on. But now for the Olympics we’re going to say that there are no public facilities or services urgently needed, so its ok to spend a bunch of money on this?

I don’t even necessarily mind the idea of the Olympics depending on the details, I just find overall a tremendous amount of hypocrisy and rationalizing by many posters on this board, as well as the mayor.

I'm no on public funds for Olympics and only land/property tax breaks/backing the debt (no Capital money) going into the Arena.

I think the argument that we don't have enough is a poor argument against both the Arena and the Olympics.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

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.

The Quito Maggi polls when included in the polling average make the results of the polls closer than only using the two that show Nenshi winning by greater than the margin of victory. They added value to the polling accuracy.

THe goal of the plebiscite is to accurately measure all of the publics opinion on the matter. Not to only measure the opinion of those who care enough or are able to find the time to vote. If you think that people who aren't interested in spending the time to vote in a plebiscite aren't worthy of having their opinion measured then that isn't very democratic of you.

I also agree that the low turnout in municipal elections is a problem. It also is one of the reasons the polling accuracy is lower. The people that turn out in an election do not perfectly reflect the opinion of all people in the city/province/country.

It's certainly an interesting question if elections are a good mechanism for the expression of the will of the people especially with FTFP. In my opinion they are good at creating stable governments but not that great at measuring public opinion.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I'll vote no if it ever goes to plebiscite but I doubt it will.

Total waste of money if you ask me.

Oh what a surprise!!! An Oiler fan won’t support something that could get Calgary a newer and fancier arena than Edmonton. I AM SHOCKED!!!

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by GGG

The Quito Maggi polls when included in the polling average make the results of the polls closer than only using the two that show Nenshi winning by greater than the margin of victory. They added value to the polling accuracy.

THe goal of the plebiscite is to accurately measure all of the publics opinion on the matter. Not to only measure the opinion of those who care enough or are able to find the time to vote. If you think that people who aren't interested in spending the time to vote in a plebiscite aren't worthy of having their opinion measured then that isn't very democratic of you.

I also agree that the low turnout in municipal elections is a problem. It also is one of the reasons the polling accuracy is lower. The people that turn out in an election do not perfectly reflect the opinion of all people in the city/province/country.

It's certainly an interesting question if elections are a good mechanism for the expression of the will of the people especially with FTFP. In my opinion they are good at creating stable governments but not that great at measuring public opinion.

I don't entirely disagree. I think where I'm at though, with things like a plebiscite (particularly - an election is a bit different) is if people don't show up, they're OK with "whatever" as a result. ie, if it means more taxes, they don't care, if it means no fluoride in the water, they don't care. Because if they did, they'd show up and vote in their chosen manner. (Is it the best system? Well it is, as it's the only one we have....)

Can't remember now if it's law for Provincial and Municipal elections, but IIRC it is for Federal ones: employees must be given 3 clear hours (paid, or at least not unpaid if during the work day) in which to vote. My recollection is that this does apply to the other votes as well. Not sure if a plebiscite would count though, if properly sanctioned I don't see why not.

There is rarely much excuse for not voting other than sheer laziness. I'm careful to remind young people that there were many who gave their lives to preserve and maintain our right to vote freely.

That is real life, and that is important.