2026 Olympics- Calgary votes no- 56%

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I strongly doubt that. I think if the voting age cut off was 50, the "Yes" side would have won at least 60-40. But we'll never know - from what I could tell, there was no way to identify from the ballot who had cast the ballot.

Going back to the discussion a couple pages back, my social circle of approximately 20ish people are in their late 20s, early 30s, all highly educated professionals, and all of us (not a single exception) were staunch no's.

I really think it'd be interesting to see what the demographics were even though I know it's not possible, but I don't think old = no, young = yes is applicable at all.

[monkeyman]

Perhaps I'm naive, but I think the city can do better, I think the city can propel itself forward without the use of billons of dollars on an outdated, overplayed event like the olympics. the world is changing, the olympics doesn't hold the same clout and doesn't provide any net benefit to the city. If anything, it's become an easy, lazy attempt to try and solve all our economic woes, without any imagination, and who's benefit has clearly been disproved time and time again. If the city want's to truly become world class, they have to distinguish itself, think outside of the box and aim for projects that aren't outdated, but new and evolutionary, projects that people actually care about and can call our own, projects that separate Calgary from every other city. If they can do that, the money will come, the enthusiasm will be there, and the benefits will follow.

[nik-]

The IOC could have got me closer to yes by splitting the TV contract revenue.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by nik-

The IOC could have got me closer to yes by splitting the TV contract revenue.

The IOC are crooks. They want cities to bid responsibly but then keep all the profits.

[jeffporfirio]

McMahon is just fine for CFL standards, it's not like the Panthers are thinking of relocating to Calgary.

[timun]

Originally Posted by CPK80

Because capital costs are the main reason why Olympics have went over budget. For example Vancouver ran positive both capital and operational if you don't include the Sea to Sky, Canada Line, and Convention Center... All three are capital projects that were not in the original bid book.

Okay, but again it's the overall budget presented by the Calgary BidCo that was unrealistically low. For example security was tabbed at $495 million; the Vancouver 2010 final budget was ~$1 billion. Sochi was... no one's sure, but more than that. Pyeongchang's was over a billion. Why would security for Calgary 2026 be less than half the cost from 16 years earlier? Inflation alone would suggest it ought to be $1.3 billion (or more), so right off the bat there's a $800-900 million oversight right there.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

McMahon is just fine for CFL standards, it's not like the Panthers are thinking of relocating to Calgary.

Oh come on. I can understand a no vote for the Olympics, but McMahon being perfectly fine is just an untenable position! Maybe you’ve never been to an event there?

[jeffporfirio]

Originally Posted by Slava

Oh come on. I can understand a no vote for the Olympics, but McMahon being perfectly fine is just an untenable position! Maybe you’ve never been to an event there?

I did not say perfectly fine, just that it's fine for CFL standards

[zamler]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

I did not say perfectly fine, just that it's fine for CFL standards

McMahon is not fine by any standards, it was never a great venue now it's beyond out dated. I'm being very kind here.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

I did not say perfectly fine, just that it's fine for CFL standards

I think my point still stands. McMahon is a dump, plain and simple. There’s nothing “fine” about it.

[RogerWilco]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

I did not say perfectly fine, just that it's fine for CFL standards

Just to ensure we set the same lofty goals for everything we do in this City, the Saddledome is fine for NHL purposes as well.

[jeffporfirio]

Originally Posted by RogerWilco

Just to ensure we set the same lofty goals for everything we do in this City, the Saddledome is fine for NHL purposes as well.

I would disagree with you on this one, the Saddledome is a dump for NHL standards. The CFL is on par with Arena football, it's not even close to NCAA football.

[DiracSpike]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I think in the grand scheme of things, it's easy to be a SaveCalgary or Sean Chu or Jeromy Farkas than to actually try to get something moving forward. The like to think that they are saving the City and doing something ,but they're just do-nothings. I will be shocked the day that any of those has their names attached to something the City has built.

Good point and I agree completely. It's the major reason I voted for Nenshi over McIver in 2010, when your nickname is Dr. No you really don't do anything to move the City forward.

While Calgary has a reputation as a can-do town there is also an element of extreme tax conservatism. The hubbub around the Peace Bridge was pretty embarrassing, we're so much better off as a City having that strucutre than the 25 million it cost to build kicking around. I can't speak for others but just because I voted No doesn't mean I don't think we should spend money to make our City better. We've freed up hundreds of millions, possibly billions of funds from being tossed down the Olympic bottomless money pit and now lets use them to build things.

[zamler]

Saddledome and McMahon are time machines and not in a good way. I don't understand why so many other cities find a way to build new arenas and we are stuck in the 80's or worse.

[RogerWilco]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

I would disagree with you on this one, the NHL is the premier Hockey league, the CFL is on par with Arena football, it's not even close to NCAA football.

Well, most of the CFL comes from the NCAA, so that really doesn't make a whole heap of sense now does it.

At any rate, I'm not going to derail this thread into a CFL VS NFL VS NHL discussion. Some people don't like the CFL, your loss.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by RogerWilco

Some people don't like the CFL, your loss.

Well I love the CFL have been to way more games than I can remember. Stamps games are great (fantastic crowd Flames fans take note) but McMahon, good lord that place. Every time I go there I get flash backs from decades ago because the place has barely changed.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by zamler

Saddledome and McMahon are time machines and not in a good way. I don't understand why so many other cities find a way to build new arenas and we are stuck in the 80's or worse.

they plan/have/make budgets for them

[jeffporfirio]

Originally Posted by RogerWilco

Well, most of the CFL comes from the NCAA, so that really doesn't make a whole heap of sense now does it.

At any rate, I'm not going to derail this thread into a CFL VS NFL VS NHL discussion. Some people don't like the CFL, your loss.

If you compare the CFL to I-AA, well yes, your point is valid, but its not SEC, BIG 10 or even ACC football.
And yes, I do go to and watch stamps games, its something to do before College and NFL starts.
Agree, no need to derail this thread.

[OMG!WTF!]

There are high schools in the states with bigger better stadiums than McMahon. But it's not like it's sold out every game.

[Ozy_Flame]

Calgary has to have one of the worst 1-2 punch arena/stadium combo of any major North American city with pro hockey/football teams. Both facilities are in their twilight years and need replacing.

Wasn't even happy with the Olympics renovating McMahon because that means it would just prolong its existence; there should be no excuse to get a new stadium in full replacement, and hopefully in the next 10 years.