News   Apr 03, 2020
 4.6K     1 
News   Apr 02, 2020
 6.4K     3 
News   Apr 02, 2020
 3.6K     0 

Calgary's Potential 2026 Winter Olympic Bid

Are you in favour of Calgary's Potential Olympic Bid in 2026?

  • Yes

    Votes: 31 60.8%
  • No

    Votes: 13 25.5%
  • Unsure

    Votes: 7 13.7%

  • Total voters
    51
I'm excited at the prospect of hosting the games. I wish I was around for '88, talk about lifelong memories!

I was less than a year old in '88. I went to Vancouver in '10 and it was a real blast. I've always wanted to be able to have that experience in my hometown.
 
I wonder if they can make Fortress Mountain work for the games, would need a lot of work (several new chairlifts and massive upgrades to the Lodge) and I think they would definitely have to upgrade the road quite a bit to accommodate the traffic. Dare to dream Arnold...
Nakiska expansion was in the 2010 bid book:
upload_2018-2-14_15-40-4.png


upload_2018-2-14_15-41-22.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-2-14_15-40-4.png
    upload_2018-2-14_15-40-4.png
    969.1 KB · Views: 598
  • upload_2018-2-14_15-41-22.png
    upload_2018-2-14_15-41-22.png
    1.6 MB · Views: 514
I'm excited at the prospect of hosting the games. I wish I was around for '88, talk about lifelong memories!



Also that's awesome, right on! I take it you're in school now? I'm in the same boat. It would be super cool to be involved in planning for the games in any capacity.

Yeah no kidding! I was 2 years too late into the world haha.

Yeah I go to U of C :) Was recently elected President of a Fraternity just across Crowchild from campus actually. I will be graduating just a few months after they announce the next host city in 2019, so I'm hoping we get them, cause that will lead to a lot of job openings in the field! :D
 
Nakiska expansion was in the 2010 bid book:
Interesting, Nakiska makes sense to me, but everyone keeps talking about Louise being the venue (despite Parks Canada's objections) I'd still love to see Fortress come back, that hill is 100x better than Nakiska from what I've heard (I'm too snobby to ride Nakiska lol and Fortress was closed by the time I really got into the sport).
 
Their redevelopment is happening already, just very slowly, so my thought was this could accelerate that. I thought once they expanded into Whiskey Bowl they would increase their vertical more than that, maybe not. Based on the chart you quoted , they would still be taller than Nakiska once they are built out though, are there plans to make Nakiska taller?

Once Fortress is in full construction mode, I hope they have to foresight to accommodate mountain biking, would be awesome to have some real lift access mountain biking in Alberta.
 
Hi All,
I have Heard that 3 Other Locations in North America Have "BACKED OUT" of Bidding for the Winter Games, Salt Lake and Denver to Name a Few. Question is what do they Know that We should know if We have the SMARTS to know if we are Smart? ANSWER They are Multi Billion $1 Events that Calgary Tax Payers are in NO Mood to Pay For, Nice to Have But Tnx but NO Tnx.
I'll B Happy to Vote on It and Say NO. Calgary's Needs Come 1st, NOT Expensive Games,

Tbx,
Opoerater
 
Interesting, Nakiska makes sense to me, but everyone keeps talking about Louise being the venue (despite Parks Canada's objections)
Nakiska would need a "temporary" T-Bar for the vertical needed for the two downhill courses. The men's start to finish is 800m, the women's 690m.

The bid book had the facility not opening to become a consumer resort, but to stay as a training facility only - as converting the facility would be a cost that would make most sense to be absorbed outside of the games budget, including more runs and facilities.
 
Hi All,
I have Heard that 3 Other Locations in North America Have "BACKED OUT" of Bidding for the Winter Games, Salt Lake and Denver to Name a Few. Question is what do they Know that We should know if We have the SMARTS to know if we are Smart? ANSWER They are Multi Billion $1 Events that Calgary Tax Payers are in NO Mood to Pay For, Nice to Have But Tnx but NO Tnx.
I'll B Happy to Vote on It and Say NO. Calgary's Needs Come 1st, NOT Expensive Games,

Tbx,
Opoerater
I think it all comes down to a risk vs reward comparison, will the Olympics have a quantifiable benefit to the city; Fast track infrastructure (like the Green line), increase tourism, leave upgraded sports infrastructure that will serve Canadian athletes for the long term, or will we just get a higher tax bill as the legacy for a $4 Billion party. I'm currently on the fence, the IOC is making a strong case for hosting the games here, and if they are willing to kick in $1 billion and allow us to reuse existing infrastructure, then the risk / reward starts to tilt more in the favour of reward. I think we have the right mayor and council to take a hard analytical look, and will likely be happy with whatever they choose.
 
I'm excited at the prospect of hosting the games. I wish I was around for '88, talk about lifelong memories!
I think I'm one of the few here old enough to remember the 88 games. I was 19 back then and managed to get to a couple of events..including the bobsled event and got to see the Jamaican bobsled team. also managed to hit a strip bar full of Korean competitors soaking up the action lol. Was a real blast.
 
I'm not really sure what you cut to lower the cost operationally (this doesn't count security either):
upload_2018-2-15_13-12-4.png


Also, how to ensure an equitable split of ticket revenue if your second arena is not in Calgary:
upload_2018-2-16_9-45-54.png


The capital budget - what do you cut there (besides some changes to the athletes village which could save major $$)? It also doesn't include the costs from having to do an arena and field house by 2024-25.
upload_2018-2-16_9-49-9.png


Other facility budget?
upload_2018-2-16_9-57-7.png


The village budget (besides moving the city athletes project)?
upload_2018-2-16_9-58-23.png

Security costs?
upload_2018-2-16_10-0-58.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-2-15_13-12-4.png
    upload_2018-2-15_13-12-4.png
    199.2 KB · Views: 407
  • upload_2018-2-16_9-45-54.png
    upload_2018-2-16_9-45-54.png
    133.9 KB · Views: 404
  • upload_2018-2-16_9-49-9.png
    upload_2018-2-16_9-49-9.png
    570.2 KB · Views: 409
  • upload_2018-2-16_9-57-7.png
    upload_2018-2-16_9-57-7.png
    408.7 KB · Views: 411
  • upload_2018-2-16_9-58-23.png
    upload_2018-2-16_9-58-23.png
    428.7 KB · Views: 394
  • upload_2018-2-16_10-0-58.png
    upload_2018-2-16_10-0-58.png
    124.2 KB · Views: 410
I find it simultaneously shocking, hilarious, and absurd that neither a new arena or stadium are apparently on the radar of the Calgary Olympic Bid committee. Simply impeccable.


Edit: Scratch that, I see it's titled there as "Events Centre"... but still no mention of a new stadium. How completely f*cking embarrassing would it be if we were hosting opening and closing at McMahon? Hahaha

Edit edit: Whaaaaaat?!? They wanna do opening and closing at the Stampede Grandstand? *dead* lmfao! what in the absolute hell are they thinking?!? That's actually so much worse than even McMahon. Come on guys! hahahahaha
 
Last edited:
On the grandstand:
Proposed use
The Master Facilities Plan envisions the Stampede Grandstand as the entertainment, cultural and artistic hub of the 2026 OPWG. As a centre of celebration, the venue will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as daily Victory Ceremonies. The venue would provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy and experience the full gamut of 2026 OPWG events.

Facility
The Stampede Grandstand is the venue for the world-famous annual Calgary Stampede Rodeo, Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show. The venue has a total capacity of 17,000 seats; of these, approximately 2,500 seats are not available when the venue is configured for the grandstand show. CBEC proposes installing a temporary stage within the rodeo ring and Chuckwagon track to create a stage approximately the same size as a CFL football field. We propose installing an additional 25,000 temporary seats behind the infield stands and at either end of the infield to create a seating bowl with a total seating capacity of about 40,000. Additional seating to accommodate approximately 10,000 spectators would also be installed around a portion of the chuckwagon track and throughout Stampede Park to expand participation in the ceremony experience. This additional seating will allow more spectators to be able to access an economically- priced in-person Olympic experience at the opening and closing ceremonies. Additional spectating opportunities would include utilization of the new events centre and the Saddledome for ceremony viewing.

Baseline requirements
The opening and closing ceremonies are the most prestigious and popular part of any Olympic Games. Typical attendance includes heads of state from many countries, politicians, dignitaries and famous people from all walks of life. Outfitted with premium seating and private infield suites, the Grandstand provides luxury seating, dining and hosting opportunities for the ceremonies with Ranahans, 30X Saloon and The Lazy S.

The target seating capacity for the ceremonies is a minimum of 40,000 in the main seating bowl, as noted above. As noted in Section 4.2.1 regarding the Stampede Park cluster, ceremonies require robust transport links. Staging the Opening and Closing Ceremonies within Stampede Park will allow the Games to maximize spectator use of the LRT, including both the existing Red Line and the proposed Green Line.

The ceremonies require a minimum of two hectares (approximately five acres) of back of house space to park generators and to house performers, props, staging equipment, broadcast mobiles and other logistics facilities. Olympic advisors engaged by CBEC have assessed this requirement and determined that the area adjacent to the Grandstand provides sufficient space.

Gaps and associated capital costs
CBEC has identified the main gaps that would need to be addressed for the Stampede Grandstand to be used as a venue for Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as the Victory Ceremonies and Daily Live Site, which allows the public to view the ceremonies live on large screens. These include:
  • adding temporary seating to increase spectator capacity to 40,000
  • adding temporary seating around the chuckwagon track for the Athletes’ parade
  • constructing an elevated stage
  • removing the infield roof to facilitate sight lines
The below table outlines the projected costs (including design, engineering and construction management) of addressing the identified gaps.
upload_2018-2-16_13-40-27.png

Before the Games, additional temporary infrastructure would be installed at the Grandstand, including concessions, washrooms, lighting and electrical and additional temporary seating throughout the Park to expand the capacity for spectator experience. These are not capital improvements and are covered by the Olympic operating budget.

Engagement
CBEC consulted with the Calgary Stampede executive management team during the exploration process to ensure the proposal fit with operational needs and aligned with long-term plans for the Grandstand. The proposed Grandstand changes would not impact the 2025 or 2026 Calgary Stampede events.

Other considerations
Built in 1960, McMahon Stadium has a solid structure and seating capacity of 34,000. The cost for increasing capacity to 40,000 seats and bringing the stadium up to Olympic standards for the various ceremonies is estimated at $16 million (see Appendix 4J Detailed Venue Analysis: McMahon Stadium). While this cost is $9 million lower than the Grandstand improvement cost, these savings would be offset by higher security costs required at McMahon Stadium as a standalone venue. Furthermore, the Stampede Park cluster offers premium hosting facilities, as well as an opportunity to create a vibrant gathering place that will be affordable and accessible, featuring daily cultural events, sponsor activations and nightly victory ceremonies.

 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-2-16_13-40-27.png
    upload_2018-2-16_13-40-27.png
    80.3 KB · Views: 343
Oh yeah I certainly didn't mean at any cost. Honestly though, anything under say 8 billion is fine. With that I'm talking total cost (everything we already need [minus the Green Line] plus the Olympic retrofitting and potential/hopeful Rocky Mountain rail service).

I would be stoked to be an Olympic Volunteer! Not to mention, I will hopefully be a planner for the city by then :D

How much do you expect each level of government to contribute to that anything under $8 billion games?

The Winter Olympics is in a similar situation from last time Calgary hosted. They were on the verge of being shut down. We're back to no one wanting to host. Obviously, the international fanfare for the costs isn't worth it. I just don't see the point of my property taxes going up to save the games once again. (and they will go up a lot at an $8 billion pricetag)
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-3-5_13-51-42.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-51-42.png
    1.1 MB · Views: 419
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-52-2.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-52-2.png
    150.5 KB · Views: 363
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-52-45.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-52-45.png
    1.1 MB · Views: 394
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-53-7.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-53-7.png
    153 KB · Views: 349
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-53-26.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-53-26.png
    1.2 MB · Views: 464
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-53-39.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-53-39.png
    174.5 KB · Views: 375
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-53-57.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-53-57.png
    1.1 MB · Views: 467
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-54-15.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-54-15.png
    148.9 KB · Views: 394
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-54-34.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-54-34.png
    1.2 MB · Views: 381
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-54-55.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-54-55.png
    202.1 KB · Views: 365
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-55-16.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-55-16.png
    834.9 KB · Views: 388
  • upload_2018-3-5_13-55-36.png
    upload_2018-3-5_13-55-36.png
    210.7 KB · Views: 382
Last edited:

Back
Top