Calgary City Council approves bid study for 2026 Olympics

[Riise]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Pretty much. I don't think CalgaryNext can happen without federal funding. Olympic bid could also help with things like:

- Creosote contamination of West Village
- Property development of West Village (for athletes village)
- CalgaryNext arena/stadium
- Crowchild/Bow Trail interchange
- Green Line LRT
- Downtown Subway
- LRT to Airport

Basically help expedite a ton of infrastructure projects while at the same time modernizing our existing winter Olympic facilities

While it may contribute funds for an arena and stadium, they will be separate projects rather than the garbage CalgaryNext proposal.

[artvandelay]

Originally Posted by Riise

While it may contribute funds for an arena and stadium, they will be separate projects rather than the garbage CalgaryNext proposal.

I'd agree that the current iteration of CalgaryNext is lacklustre, but it certainly makes more sense to build a combined facility from a cost perspective and the West Village location is fantastic.

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by Riise

While it may contribute funds for an arena and stadium, they will be separate projects rather than the garbage CalgaryNext proposal.

You really don't know that.

[Taeolas]

It'll be interesting to see how this develops. Calgary may have a better chance than many might think of getting the games, if they decide to go through with it. With Global Warming, the number of places that can actually host the Winter Games is diminishing, and most of the remaining places are basically either Canada or Russia. (And the Scandinavian countries). With all the scandals with many of the IOC's recent choices (and scandals in Global Sports in general; see: FIFA), a Canadian host might be seen as a Safe Host. A host that likely won't get embroiled in scandals, that most can agree would be a good host, and who doesn't come with the International Baggage like the US does.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Pretty much. I don't think CalgaryNext can happen without federal funding. Olympic bid could also help with things like:

- Creosote contamination of West Village
- Property development of West Village (for athletes village)
- CalgaryNext arena/stadium
- Crowchild/Bow Trail interchange
- Green Line LRT
- Downtown Subway
- LRT to Airport

Basically help expedite a ton of infrastructure projects while at the same time modernizing our existing winter Olympic facilities

Isn't there already an interchange at crowchild and bow trail?

[Riise]

Originally Posted by artvandelay

I'd agree that the current iteration of CalgaryNext is lacklustre, but it certainly makes more sense to build a combined facility from a cost perspective and the West Village location is fantastic.

While it will save CSEC money, it is nowhere close to being financially prudent for the City.

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

You really don't know that.

Until the decision is made nothing is certain but there is too much going against the proposal to have any sort of confidence in it seeing the light of day.

[Wooster]

You could argue that if the IOC is even semi-serious about their Agenda 2020 it needs the Olympics in Calgary more than Calgary needs the Olympics.

The stance the Mayor made was to test that. Make a clean bid, make an affordable bid (based primarily on upgraded, not new facilities), and make a bid with a lasting legacy for winter sport in Calgary and Canada. If the IOC doesn't go for that, then we won't host - it's as simple as that.

As for CalgaryNEXT - the two are unrelated, but it would be my guess that the combined facility at West Village as proposed will be dead as soon as next week. The "Plan B" is a renovated McMahon, new arena on Stampede Park north of the current dome (saddledome could be kept operational through the olympics since two arenas are needed), and the fieldhouse will go near the U of C and could be used for curling in the games.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

Isn't there already an interchange at crowchild and bow trail?

Yes one that is woefully inadequate for the volume of traffic it sees. At one point just to stay on Crowchild Trail you have to merge over 3 lanes or be diverted onto Memorial Drive. I'd say it is probably the worst choke point in the entire city with the exception of Glenmore at Crowchild Trail.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Wooster

You could argue that if the IOC is even semi-serious about their Agenda 2020 it needs the Olympics in Calgary more than Calgary needs the Olympics.

The stance the Mayor made was to test that. Make a clean bid, make an affordable bid (based primarily on upgraded, not new facilities), and make a bid with a lasting legacy for winter sport in Calgary and Canada. If the IOC doesn't go for that, then we won't host - it's as simple as that.

As for CalgaryNEXT - the two are unrelated, but it would be my guess that the combined facility at West Village as proposed will be dead as soon as next week. The "Plan B" is a renovated McMahon, new arena on Stampede Park north of the current dome (saddledome could be kept operational through the olympics since two arenas are needed), and the fieldhouse will go near the U of C and could be used for curling in the games.

Yeah I liked Nenshi's interview about it on the Fan 960. You never know. Would be awesome, and surprising if the IOC actually backs up what they said and takes a serious look at Calgary.

[odogfo]

Originally Posted by Wooster

You could argue that if the IOC is even semi-serious about their Agenda 2020 it needs the Olympics in Calgary more than Calgary needs the Olympics.

The stance the Mayor made was to test that. Make a clean bid, make an affordable bid (based primarily on upgraded, not new facilities), and make a bid with a lasting legacy for winter sport in Calgary and Canada. If the IOC doesn't go for that, then we won't host - it's as simple as that.

As for CalgaryNEXT - the two are unrelated, but it would be my guess that the combined facility at West Village as proposed will be dead as soon as next week. The "Plan B" is a renovated McMahon, new arena on Stampede Park north of the current dome (saddledome could be kept operational through the olympics since two arenas are needed), and the fieldhouse will go near the U of C and could be used for curling in the games.

Exactly, if the IOC wants to change it's image then Calgary might be a good option so long we deliver on what we are proposing.

[WhipperSnapper]

LOL, If 2022 is any indication, the IOC should be damn desperate. Only two cities made it to the vote.

Calgary better make sure they want it. It easily could be a lock.

[artvandelay]

Originally Posted by Riise

While it will save CSEC money, it is nowhere close to being financially prudent for the City.

Huh, how do you figure?

It's a fact that there are significant synergies gained by combining the facilities (approximately 30% cost savings). Calgary is in need of a new stadium, arena, and fieldhouse regardless.

- Renovating McMahon is foolish to begin with, but we can conservatively estimate a minimum reno cost of $150 milion. Even after reno, we are left with a second rate stadium with a useful life of 25-30 years.

- The cost of a standalone arena becomes inflated, likely to $480-500 million, resulting in a shortfall over the $450 million that the Flames are putting up.

- Plus an additional $200 million for a freestanding fieldhouse.

- In addition, we do nothing to solve the problem of having a blighted area adjacent to downtown leeching creosote across the river. The McMahon area is also a great site for TOD redevelopment that could be used to help finance the new project.

All of this versus a public investment of $200 million and a CRL loan that will be paid back.

[Bcasey25raptor]

Winter olympics?

Boring.

Canada needs to host the summer olympics, either Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal could easily swing this one.

[landpirate]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Winter olympics?

Boring.

Canada needs to host the summer olympics, either Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal could easily swing this one.

This. So sick of the damn Winter Olympics.

[Pinus]

Originally Posted by SHOFEAR

The NDP will tax the shit out of the Olympic flame claiming some sort of environmental bullshit.

Now now now SHOFEAR. You and your Alberta bretheren voted in the NDP in an overwhelmingly majority, so don't come crying to us about being taxed to death

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Pinus

Now now now SHOFEAR. You and your Alberta bretheren voted in the NDP in an overwhelmingly majority, so don't come crying to us about being taxed to death

Aren't Alberta taxes the lowest in Canada?

[WhipperSnapper]

Depends on income. (not including sales tax and user fees. too complicated)

[memememe76]

I have no idea why anyone enjoys the Summer Olympics. I'm all about the Winter Olympics--figure skating, hockey, curling, speed skating. Love them all.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Wooster

The stance the Mayor made was to test that. Make a clean bid, make an affordable bid (based primarily on upgraded, not new facilities), and make a bid with a lasting legacy for winter sport in Calgary and Canada. If the IOC doesn't go for that, then we won't host - it's as simple as that.

Pretty much.

Innsbruck is another location that is being proposed and would also use existing infrastructure in its bid to host. Similar to Calgary, Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976. Either location would be pretty straightforward and would be a good step for the IOC after the previous few rounds of bids and hosts.

[Pinion]

Originally Posted by landpirate

This. So sick of the damn Winter Olympics.

I never realized how little the rest of the world cares about the winter olympics until Vancouver hosted.