Should Calgary Bid on the 2026 Olympics

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by craigwd

For me I look beyond just benefits to athletes. I look at how sport is positive to the community. First I think about how the facilities need to be maintained no matter what, because nothing lasts forever. And how important places like these are for health and wellness, physical activity, education etc. How I go skating at the Oval every week, volunteer at COP to help young athletes that wouldn't be here otherwise. How a healthier populace is better in the long run than a bunch of couch potatoes.

And then I go beyond the sport because the Olympics are bigger than just sporting events. I think about the arts festivals, the street celebrations, the opportunities my family will have to see people from other cultures and learn about people and arts from our own culture. I think about how nice it is to have something other than the Stampede once in a while. I think about all of the other festivals that branch off as well.

For economic benefits I go back to sport and think about how important that industry is to Calgary. How many national teams, athletes, emerging athletes and former athletes are based here, centralize here, live, work, eat, sleep and train here? How many international athletes do the same? Literally thousands. Then I think of how it's all repeated when another world cup or world championship is held here.

Finally I think of how much fun it will be because, while some people are just bitter and care about their own small circle, I like to interact with my community and make Calgary better as much as I can.

Craigwd, you are much more of a community minded/civic person than myself(I definitely am not one at all), kudos to you... I get your reasons and I am sure many hold the same views as yourself, I guess that is what the plebiscite will tell. The culture and arts celebration would definitely be a bonus, but in my opinion, not at the cost of what the olympics from a financial point. This coming from an individual whom thinks Calgary needs an influx of culture/vibrancy, as I feel the city for the most part is boring and dead. Definitely needs more culture than Stampede. It is the price tag that is concerning.

There is definitely merit to the facilities when it comes to physical education and health. However I feel that can come without the expenditure from the games. The cost for security alone would fund many new facilities from which the general public could use.

Reality is, if the amount of expenditure from the international athletes can be shown and proven to be more than what the facilities cost to build/maintain then i would be swayed. At least with international athletes, its not costing our tax dollars for them to live and train. As mentioned I am a firm no against government funding for any athlete(to live and train) for the olympics/world championships, that should come from the individual or corporate dollars. You want to win a gold medal, use your dime to train and live and get it, not tax dollars.

If the city wants the public to vote yes, they need to be 100 percent with the costs associated for the games. Even with that happening, there is no guarantee they would stay on budget, most certainly wouldn't. It will be interesting to see how the vote goes. As of now, it'll take a lot for me to say yes. Many of those in my own circle are of similar mindset overall as well.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Muta

Proposing a massive sports and entertainment district on the west end of downtown was absolutely visionary in scope

Why was it "visionary"? I mean YMMV but proposing that someone else pay a billion dollars to build something for you...

A: In an area that they flat out told you they weren't interested in doing it in,
B: That would be competing for development with an area they already started developing,
C: wasn't even particularly original (lot's of demands for facility subsidies come in the form of a "everything and the kitchen sink" combo),
D: and then they made it look like the Jolly Green Giant left his chest protector on the ground after his softball game.

... I mean you can consider it visionary if you want. I wouldn't, but you do you.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

What bitterness? I'm mostly grateful to you, public money for these things is a proven waste (I notice you never commented on my post showing the Winnipeg stadium is already a total writeoff...why not?), so the fact CalgaryNEXT was received like a fart in church was wonderful, it ensured it was DOA and hurt any chance of any arena getting significant public funds. Really, you did an amazing job in that regard.

I know it's not a thread about the arena, but my quip wasn't a drive-by, your credibility here is low so your "my sources" quip is not really worth taking seriously, sorry to say. That's what happens when you crush your own cred.

Dude...

a) your comment was a drive-by since it wasn't necessary to the conversation in this thread in the slightest; b) your bitterness IS evident to everyone reading this thread; c) my credibility / sources have been verified by Bingo, not sure what more you want, and d) how you personally interpret an arena district concept is not my concern, and never has been.

Seriously dude... get over it. If you have an issue, post in the arena thread and stop derailing this one.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Why was it "visionary"? I mean YMMV but proposing that someone else pay a billion dollars to build something for you...

A: In an area that they flat out told you they weren't interested in doing it in,
B: That would be competing for development with an area they already started developing,
C: wasn't even particularly original (lot's of demands for facility subsidies come in the form of a "everything and the kitchen sink" combo),
D: and then they made it look like the Jolly Green Giant left his chest protector on the ground after his softball game.

... I mean you can consider it visionary if you want. I wouldn't, but you do you.

I'll send you a PM with my answer. I'm not going to continue the derailment of this thread.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Muta

I'll send you a PM with my answer. I'm not going to continue the derailment of this thread.

Post it in the arena thread. PM is kinda weak, we'd all like to see the answer.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Muta

Dude...

a) your comment was a drive-by since it wasn't necessary to the conversation in this thread in the slightest; b) your bitterness IS evident to everyone reading this thread; c) my credibility / sources have been verified by Bingo, not sure what more you want, and d) how you personally interpret an arena district concept is not my concern, and never has been.

Seriously dude... get over it. If you have an issue, post in the arena thread and stop derailing this one.

It absolutely was necessary. Your "sources" is you, your word. We're supposed to trust it, because you won't tell us who it is other than "sources". Thus, it's worth pointing out your "sources" on CalgaryNEXT ultimate made you look like crap. You promised so much, and delivered so little. So yeah, it matters a lot, despite the fact you'd like to believe we should ignore it.

Also, please address the Winnipeg stadium. Your refusal to acknowledge it shows you truly do not care about the financial implications of these projects at all, you just care about getting them.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It absolutely was necessary. Your "sources" is you, your word. We're supposed to trust it, because you won't tell us who it is other than "sources". Thus, it's worth pointing out your "sources" on CalgaryNEXT ultimate made you look like crap. You promised so much, and delivered so little. So yeah, it matters a lot, despite the fact you'd like to believe we should ignore it.

Also, please address the Winnipeg stadium. Your refusal to acknowledge it shows you truly do not care about the financial implications of these projects at all, you just care about getting them.

What exactly did I promise to you regarding CalgaryNEXT that let you down?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Post it in the arena thread. PM is kinda weak, we'd all like to see the answer.

No. Parallex posts with a modicum of respect, unlike you, and I owe you nothing.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Muta

What exactly did I promise to you regarding CalgaryNEXT that let you down?

Me personally? I loved it, crushed any chance of it happening, so I appreciate your overselling. But you promised something transformational, amazing, we'd all love it, and it ended up being a glorified Kibbie Dome, and turned people ready to support it to being totally against it. It was a whiff, a big whiff.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Me personally? I loved it, crushed any chance of it happening, so I appreciate your overselling. But you promised something transformational, amazing, we'd all love it, and it ended up being a glorified Kibbie Dome, and turned people ready to support it to being totally against it. It was a whiff, a big whiff.

Yeah, just as I thought - it's your personal opinion and nothing regarding my actual sources. But, thanks for building that false narrative. If you are let down by CalgaryNEXT, that's your own interpretation. I've also heard from many others who were very much excited and in support of a joined arena / stadium / entertainment district to revitalize the entire west downtown district.

Finally, CalgaryNEXT was three years ago. You need to get over it, dude.

[Senator Clay Davis]

And Winnipeg's stadium already being a total writeoff just happened? Do you seriously have no thoughts at all about it?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

And Winnipeg's stadium already being a total writeoff just happened? Do you seriously have no thoughts at all about it?

What is with your obsession with the stadium in Winnipeg? I have no connection to that project, and never have.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Muta

What is with your obsession with the stadium in Winnipeg? I have no connection to that project, and never have.

But you support public funds for these projects. Winnipeg was done with lots of public money, and is already a financial disaster....and you won't comment on it. It again undermines your arguments, because if you won't acknowledge clear, direct evidence showing public investment in stadiums is not a good investment, it shows you will ignore things that undermine your position.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

But you support public funds for these projects. Winnipeg was done with lots of public money, and is already a financial disaster....and you won't comment on it. It again undermines your arguments, because if you won't acknowledge clear, direct evidence showing public investment in stadiums is not a good investment, it shows you will ignore things that undermine your position.

I have absolutely no knowledge on what happened with the stadium there regarding public funds, and therefore I can't / won't comment on it.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Muta

I have absolutely no knowledge on what happened with the stadium there regarding public funds, and therefore I can't / won't comment on it.

Truth be told gotta respect the hustle, a truly elite cop out.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Truth be told gotta respect the hustle, a truly elite cop out.

So you want me to comment on something I know nothing about?

What is your goddamn issue today? Did someone piss in your cornflakes this morning?

[fundmark19]

....so how about those Olympics........

[MacDaddy77]

This is what I'm picturing between you 2 right now.

[GordonBlue]

someone mentioned supporting the olympics because of arts festivals.

I've never been to an olympics. do they actually have arts and cultural events for winter olympics? never heard of such a thing. anything I've heard about at a games is always related to sports.

why would you even do that?. the idea I thought is to showcase the best of Calgary to the people from other countries, not promote theirs.

the most culture most people will get from the incoming teams will be as a result of all the sex locals have with them. that seems to be the biggest event of any olympics.

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

someone mentioned supporting the olympics because of arts festivals.

I've never been to an olympics. do they actually have arts and cultural events for winter olympics? never heard of such a thing. anything I've heard about at a games is always related to sports.

why would you even do that?. the idea I thought is to showcase the best of Calgary to the people from other countries, not promote theirs.

the most culture most people will get from the incoming teams will be as a result of all the sex locals have with them. that seems to be the biggest event of any olympics.

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