Should Calgary Bid on the 2026 Olympics

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

You can’t push back 2026 unless you’re even more almighty than you already think you are.

The Olympics has to be awarded on the schedule they award them or you just limit the host’s ability to complete all of the construction etc. on time and then you just ruin budgets by forcing everything to be on overtime.

Where did I say push back 2026? I mean push the plebiscite back to February or something. Since this is a poverty games with projects that are very small in scope, delaying the process a couple months isn't going to impact the ability for everything to be finished in time/on budget (or if it does....yikes).

[Red]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

There is more to life than what lies on a spreadsheet that just tells you part of a story. Yes, budgets matter, but if you slavishly live by a budget or decide you don’t even want to provide a budget because the bottom line is all you live for, you end up missing out on the best things in life.

So true. Dollars and cents are important, but they are not everything. Sometimes it's nice to buy nice things if affordable.

Sometimes i feel like this point is missed here. We are not debating whether the olympics will turn a profit or not. We are debating whether what we get out of them is worth the cost.
For a few bucks a month that this will cost me i am all for it.

[chemgear]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ment-1.4890498

If Calgary hosts the 2026 Olympics and the Games go over budget, don't call on Ottawa for help.

That was the message from the federal government on Friday afternoon.

"And within our federal hosting policy, we are not responsible for cost overruns."

[CPK80]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

If it helped the Flames/City get the new arena/entertainment district built then I would consider voting yes. Otherwise no. I’m not sure why the new arena area wasn’t at least put forward as an option/talking point. Money for a 5000 seat arena is a waste and much better spent on the Victoria park complex. The city should have at least had options priced to build the new arena and stadium instead of wasting it on more upgrades .

- Listing to Mary on QR77 yesterday when asked about the Arena it sounds like the Federal Government and Provincial didn't want to help fund it... So it was left out of the bid. But she hopes that getting the Olympics inspires the City and the Flames to get a deal done.

- Then listening to John on Sportsnet 960 yesterday... It really Seems like the Vancouver Olympics were done the same way as what Calgary is looking to do... All the sexy infrastructure wasn't actually part of the Vancouver Bid... But once they were awarded the Provisional and local governments decided either to move up projects or create new ones (The Canada Line, Sea to Sky highway and the Convention Centre).

[craigwd]

Originally Posted by transplant99

They will be sold as a lottery, so everyone gets the same shot at them.

As for costs, its a wide range but expect TC tickets to command the most...and according to BidCo prices won't change based on NHL participation or not.

Vancouver IIRC was about 200- 500 a seat depending on the game, though that may have been after market prices as i wasnt there but my brother was and i think those were the numbers he told me.

In Vancouver 2010 when you put your name into the ticket lottery for team events (hockey, curling) the schedule hadn't been finalized, so you were choosing tickets based on date and time.

For ex, I put my name in for the Wednesday afternoon Men's Hockey game (or something like that). Then a year later that became the Canada/Switzerland 4:30pm game.

So the lottery ticket price didn't change because it was a Canadian game, it was the same as the other games - I believe $35 each for upper bowl (or maybe $50).

Now after market was a different story as I could have sold my tickets on the street for higher. Heck, some guy even offered me money for the Finnish scarf I was wearing.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by transplant99

They will be sold as a lottery, so everyone gets the same shot at them.

As for costs, its a wide range but expect TC tickets to command the most...and according to BidCo prices won't change based on NHL participation or not.

Vancouver IIRC was about 200- 500 a seat depending on the game, though that may have been after market prices as i wasnt there but my brother was and i think those were the numbers he told me.

Yeah this has to be one the worst lies. If they're seriously going to price watching NHLers at the same level as watching beer leaguers, prices are either going to be dirt cheap, or there are going to be scores of empty seats for each game. Since the former would likely financial crush the bid, and the latter is humiliating (and would financially hurt too), we know that's a lie.

[CPK80]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Yeah this has to be one the worst lies. If they're seriously going to price watching NHLers at the same level as watching beer leaguers, prices are either going to be dirt cheap, or there are going to be scores of empty seats for each game. Since the former would likely financial crush the bid, and the latter is humiliating (and would financially hurt too), we know that's a lie.

In Canada people that will want to go watch Hockey at the Olympics live don't care if it is NHL or Beer Leaguers, it is about the experience... Yes not have the NHL will hurt TV viewership... But NHL or not the Hockey Games will be sold out for what ever price... (Though I could see the after market prices being higher if the NHL players were playing).

[sleepingmoose]

Originally Posted by craigwd

In Vancouver 2010 when you put your name into the ticket lottery for team events (hockey, curling) the schedule hadn't been finalized, so you were choosing tickets based on date and time.

For ex, I put my name in for the Wednesday afternoon Men's Hockey game (or something like that). Then a year later that became the Canada/Switzerland 4:30pm game.

So the lottery ticket price didn't change because it was a Canadian game, it was the same as the other games - I believe $35 each for upper bowl (or maybe $50).

Now after market was a different story as I could have sold my tickets on the street for higher. Heck, some guy even offered me money for the Finnish scarf I was wearing.

This was the same for me in 2010 - you’re not buying for specific teams, you’re buying games, right through the final. Obviously after market is different, but you’ll pay way more. Initially, all teams games cost the same, regardless of country.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by CPK80

- Listing to Mary on QR77 yesterday when asked about the Arena it sounds like the Federal Government and Provincial didn't want to help fund it... So it was left out of the bid. But she hopes that getting the Olympics inspires the City and the Flames to get a deal done.

- Then listening to John on Sportsnet 960 yesterday... It really Seems like the Vancouver Olympics were done the same way as what Calgary is looking to do... All the sexy infrastructure wasn't actually part of the Vancouver Bid... But once they were awarded the Provisional and local governments decided either to move up projects or create new ones (The Canada Line, Sea to Sky highway and the Convention Centre).

Hmmmmm....thats not how i heard it at all.

My take away was that she was actually saying that including the arena would HURT the bid because the IOC doesn't want things being built that the general public couldn't get use out of. Like they're now all of a sudden some altruistic governing body that is concerned for the projects left behind.

EDiT: I cant listen again right now but the interview in its entirety is here.

https://globalnews.ca/pages/on-deman...lk770-calgary/

Nov 2 10AM hour a few minutes in after the news.

It sounded completely ridiculous.

Maybe i misunderstood though cause i was still reeling at ger suggestion that sponsorship dollars would remain the same regardless of NHL participation...thats just simply untrue when you think about it.

There are a couple flat out lies coming from BidCo which makes me really question every other thing they are claiming.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by CPK80

In Canada people that will want to go watch Hockey at the Olympics live don't care if it is NHL or Beer Leaguers, it is about the experience... Yes not have the NHL will hurt TV viewership... But NHL or not the Hockey Games will be sold out for what ever price... (Though I could see the after market prices being higher if the NHL players were playing).

maybe in 5000 seat arena...maybe.

But there is zero chance S. Korea vs Denmark sells out something the size of the dome.

Hell...in 88 i remember a ton of empty seats for W.Germany/Czech game i attended. And there were future NHLers on most clubs.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by CPK80

In Canada people that will want to go watch Hockey at the Olympics live don't care if it is NHL or Beer Leaguers, it is about the experience... Yes not have the NHL will hurt TV viewership... But NHL or not the Hockey Games will be sold out for what ever price... (Though I could see the after market prices being higher if the NHL players were playing).

Yeah this is pretty much saying people will pay the same to watch Led Zeppelin as they would Imagine Dragons because they like rock music. It will hurt ticket sales/revenue potential (much, much moreso for non Team Canada games), and it's naive to think otherwise.

[Red]

Need to read between the lines about the arena.
The plan is to renovate the dome.
Anyone ask how and when?

With the schedule they have between 2 hockey teams, lacrosses, concerts, events etc plus the Stampede organization itself, does it seem viable to shut it down for renos?

The arena will get done, but neither the city nor the flames want to tip their hands yet. Its part of the negitiations.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Where did I say push back 2026? I mean push the plebiscite back to February or something. Since this is a poverty games with projects that are very small in scope, delaying the process a couple months isn't going to impact the ability for everything to be finished in time/on budget (or if it does....yikes).

Then you should have said plebiscite. They outlined at council that they could only push the plebiscite back max one week. Any longer would restrict the ability to formalize all of the details, have council decide if the bid is being submitted and to prepare the official bid in time for the deadline.

[CPK80]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Hmmmmm....thats not how i heard it at all.

My take away was that she was actually saying that including the arena would HURT the bid because the IOC doesn't want things being built that the general public couldn't get use out of. Like they're now all of a sudden some altruistic governing body that is concerned for the projects left behind.

It sounded completely ridiculous.

Maybe i misunderstood though cause i was still reeling at ger suggestion that sponsorship dollars would remain the same regardless of NHL participation...thats just simply untrue when you think about it.

There are a couple flat out lies coming from BidCo which makes me really question every other thing they are claiming.

I agree she did say that as well... But I believe she said that at another time during the interview... I will try to go listen to it later today.

[OMG!WTF!]

Our Bidco in 1988 raised 1 million mostly private donations and selling pins..3.3 million in 2018 dollars. We'll spend about 30 million on the bid exploration and Bidco, all tax funded. And some how they're baffled when people assume we will go over budget.



Everybody who wouldn't mind chipping in a few bucks a month should have already done so.



I think what made 1988 special was that we had literally no amateur athletic facilities or infrastructure that made us stand out. We added almost everything. Now we're adding almost nothing. Everything about 1988 was entrepreneurial. Even the federal government created money from making loonies. Everything about 2026 is getting tax money back.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by chemgear

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ment-1.4890498

If Calgary hosts the 2026 Olympics and the Games go over budget, don't call on Ottawa for help.

That was the message from the federal government on Friday afternoon.

"And within our federal hosting policy, we are not responsible for cost overruns."

They told Vancouver the same thing so nobody should be surprised.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Then you should have said plebiscite. They outlined at council that they could only push the plebiscite back max one week. Any longer would restrict the ability to formalize all of the details, have council decide if the bid is being submitted and to prepare the official bid in time for the deadline.

Not to mention, lots of money has been allocated already to the Nov. 13 date for marketing, venue booking (non-refundable deposits), and staff training/pay. The election rep mentioned that the current date is really the only one that works, and now that it's Christmas party season, trying to book venues for elections would be pretty much impossible at this point.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Then you should have said plebiscite. They outlined at council that they could only push the plebiscite back max one week. Any longer would restrict the ability to formalize all of the details, have council decide if the bid is being submitted and to prepare the official bid in time for the deadline.

Which is the deadline to bid....against themselves. If the IOC actually wants us to host, we should be able to dictate a bit more on terms. We're not talking all the time in the world here. There are no other bids they are going up against, and I'm not saying push this thing back forever, just a little bit so the full thing can be fleshed out. If the IOC can't accommodate that, then seriously #### them.

[CPK80]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Which is the deadline to bid....against themselves. If the IOC actually wants us to host, we should be able to dictate a bit more on terms. We're not talking all the time in the world here. There are no other bids they are going up against, and I'm not saying push this thing back forever, just a little bit so the full thing can be fleshed out. If the IOC can't accommodate that, then seriously #### them.

Technically there are still two other groups in the process... We could debate how legitimate they are, but as long as they are still officially in the process I don't see the IOC changing any dates.

[14]

Originally Posted by CPK80

- Listing to Mary on QR77 yesterday when asked about the Arena it sounds like the Federal Government and Provincial didn't want to help fund it... So it was left out of the bid. But she hopes that getting the Olympics inspires the City and the Flames to get a deal done.

- Then listening to John on Sportsnet 960 yesterday... It really Seems like the Vancouver Olympics were done the same way as what Calgary is looking to do... All the sexy infrastructure wasn't actually part of the Vancouver Bid... But once they were awarded the Provisional and local governments decided either to move up projects or create new ones (The Canada Line, Sea to Sky highway and the Convention Centre).

This is a great explanation of this element. Much more succinct than I have been able to communicate. Thank you.