WRAPPING COMES OFF OLYMPIC BID

It’s Christmas Eve in September as Calgarians will finally get a look Tuesday at the gifts proposed by our Olympic bid corporation for the 2026 Winter Games. After months of anticipation, we’re expected to learn more about the costs, venues and economic benefits of rehosting the Winter Olympics.

The bid exploration committee under former police chief Rick Hanson estimated the price tag at $4.6 billion, excluding a new arena and other infrastructure. We’ll see if that still holds.

Keep in mind the proposed cost of nearly every Olympic Games is just the starting line before the gun goes off for further escalation. Winter Games can end up being double the proposed estimate, said University of Calgary professor Trevor Tombe. In Canada, Calgary’s 1988 Olympics were 59 per cent over budget, while Vancouver’s costs were 17 per cent higher than predicted.

Interestingly, one pro- Games organization, Yes Calgary 2026, estimates the Games’ cost at $5.8 billion without a new NHL-ready arena and additional civic infrastructure. Also interesting, Coun. Sean Chu, who is sworn to secrecy, wondered aloud if the group got a sneak peek at the city’s as-yet-confidential documents.

What would we be getting for our billions? There has been much speculation about the venues and whether Calgary shares the Games with Whistler, B.C., for alpine skiing or ski jumping, and Edmonton, for its newish arena.

Although renovations and upgrades would be carried out for most legacy facilities, a significant

In Canada, Calgary’s 1988 Olympics were 59 per cent over budget.

factor for many Calgarians is whether the city will get a new arena, thereby ending the debate around the future of the Calgary Flames.

Here lies the dilemma. A bid with a new NHLstyle arena would add at least $500 million to the price tag. A bid without a new arena would face a much tougher challenge getting the thumbs up in the Nov. 13 plebiscite.

Without a new arena, it’s possible many of the marquee hockey and/or skating events would be held in the provincial capital. For most Calgarians, that would be like getting a face wash with a smelly hockey glove at their own tournament.

Then there’s possible infrastructure. If the proposal includes such projects as a CTrain line to the airport, then expect the costs to rise.

Aside from the intangible pride and community spirit bonuses, is this all worth it? The 2026 proposal is expected to tell us how the Games will influence the economy. Most studies say the two-week party is wonderful for the local tourism and construction sectors, but it’s questionable for boosting the overall economy in the long term.

The biggest gains for Vancouver and Whistler were getting the B.C. and federal governments to fund crucial infrastructure upgrades, such as the much-improved Sea to Sky Highway. For every $12 they spent, local taxpayers chipped in $1, said University of British Columbia professor Rob VanWynsberghe. That’s a great deal.

In Calgary’s case, we won’t know on Tuesday the specifics of any funding formula since it’s still being negotiated. The Yes group believes the City of Calgary should only contribute 15 per cent, while the province pays one-third and Ottawa doles out at least half.

Calgarians will not be able to make an informed decision (assuming councillors don’t bail out before Nov. 13) on whether to support a bid until a cost-sharing deal is unveiled. The full Christmas credit card bill remains a mystery until then.