Olympic bid will help to reignite our city’s soul

We’ve hosted the world before, and we can do it again, writes Doug Mitchell.

We Calgarians, at our very core, are entrepreneurs, builders, leaders and innovators. In dark times, we help each other and dig deep to overcome anything. At the worst of times, our ambition, determination and proactiveness persevere.

So when did we lose our soul as a community? When did our heart as a city stop beating? Everywhere I go in Calgary today, I hear a tremendous amount of negativity, cynicism and indifference.

So, I am sounding the alarm bell — it is time to wake up, Calgary! Amid the recent political confusion around Calgary’s Olympic and Paralympic bid, we run the risk of losing an opportunity to rebuild and redefine our city and ourselves.

Many of you are concerned about the economics of the Games. I share your concerns and there is no question that the economic case has been poorly communicated. But funding has been secured and now federal, provincial and municipal finances will leverage contributions from the International Olympic Committee. This funding will help support and create over 15,400 jobs (full-time equivalents), generate about $1 billion of additional labour income, and an estimated 25,000 volunteer opportunities. If you still have concerns about budget overruns, bear in mind that Calgary 2026 will be the first Games utilizing Agenda 2020, a new set of guidelines released by the IOC to utilize already-existing facilities rather than building brand new ones. Because of the legacy infrastructure from the 1988 Olympics, Calgary already has 87 per cent of the facilities required to host the Games. We Calgarians invented the term “on time and on budget.”

But this is about more than just the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games create a beacon for Calgary and will help reignite the soul of our city. Perhaps these benefits are less tangible and quantifiable than the economic case — but that does not make them less important.

In showcasing our city, province and country to the world, we will also be broadcasting our entrepreneurial spirit, our diversity, our talents, our strengths and our ambitions. The Games will constitute an important part of our legacy and will bestow upon future generations almost innumerable benefits by encouraging them to reach higher and elevate all of us in doing so.

To our industry leaders, I urge you to stand up and support the Olympic bid.

In past recessions, industry has stood with Calgary and committed to investing in our community.

I implore our industry leaders to get engaged. You are not just executives of your company, you are leaders in your community.

To our political leaders, I beg you to put citizens first. To our municipal leaders, roll up your sleeves and get it done. Don’t just raise our taxes and our municipal debt, but be innovative in how you spend our dollars.

You told us we can host the Olympics in a fiscally-responsible way, now prove it. We need the petty infighting to stop, and we need you to lead and inspire us. Give us hope. Give us leadership.

To our federal government, Calgary and Alberta have been there for all Canadians, and it is time you are there for us.

To you, my fellow Calgarians, I ask you to join me and fight for an opportunity in front of us.

Don’t let this be a plebiscite on city hall. This isn’t about them. This is about us.

This is about who we are as Calgarians. We get things done. We have hosted the world before and have done it better than anyone, and we can do it again.

To those on both sides of the Calgary 2026 debate, I simply cannot remain silent as I see an opportunity that could bolster our economy and restart our pulse.

This is about more than the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is about the future and soul of our city.