Council looks into 2026 Winter Olympic bid
Posted Jun 20, 2016 09:48:37 PM.
Last Updated Jun 21, 2016 05:13:20 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The best kept secret in Calgary over the last two and a half years is now out in the open, the city is looking at putting forth a 2026 Winter Olympic bid.
Council voted 12-2 in favour of committing upwards of $5-million for an exploratory committee.
A decision had to be made Monday because the city was running out of time to declare its interest.
After the vote, Mayor Naheed Nenshi reflected on it, telling those in the crowd this is a big day for Calgary.
“We are going to use this judicially. There are many, many off-ramps. But I think council – you saw that a majority of council thought it was a risk worth taking.”
Doug Mitchell is Chair of the Calgary Sports Tourism Authority, leading the charge behind closed doors.
“40,000 jobs, basically $6-billion in economic activity. It’s going to change what I think is the economy in the province of Alberta. I personally feel we will get some support from corporations but I also realize how difficult it is right now.”
International officials will make a decision on the host city in July 2019.